Before this weekend, Workington Town prop Oliver Gordon had never seen snow. Yet he found himself running out for the first time in a Workington Town shirt onto a wintry pitch at Barrow’s Craven Park. 

Making his debut on Sunday, he started in the front-row alongside Kris Coward and the Aussie said he was pleased to get the first game out of his system. 

“It was very important for me. I’ve been a bit nervous the last two weeks thinking about the start of the season,” he said. 

“I said to the boys before we kicked off that it would be good for me to get my first game out of the way and it was a good hit-out. 

“Everyone was a bit off time and out of puff but it was really good. It was definitely a first time for me playing in conditions like that. Saturday was the first time I’d seen snow. 

“In Australia you’d get a bit of a rainstorm and they would call the game off, obviously that’s not the case here. 

“It was a bit of a shock at the start of the game, but by half-time everything went numb and you didn’t really care what happened.” 

Gordon admitted it was a tough game against Town’s fellow Cumbrian side, adding: “A lot of the boys did well and must be used to the cold. 

“I’m loving it up here. All the boys are good and the fans and township have been very welcoming. 

“It’s the same sort of countryside from back home in Australia – but at the opposite end of the temperature scale.” 

Gordon joined Town from Australian side Blacktown Workers and the 23-year-old says he wants to make a name for himself in the sport in this country. 

“I explained to the directors and coaching staff that I’ve come here with no hype or a big name,” he said. “I want to make a name for myself, have a good year and hopefully sign on for another year. 

“I had a pretty good season last year and I want to cement my spot in the side.” 

Gordon hopes to make his second appearance for the club in this weekend’s Ike Southward Memorial Trophy fixture against Whitehaven on Saturday. 

“Hopefully it’ll be a bit warmer this weekend,” he added.“There’s some big hype up here about the derby. It’ll be another tough game, but good to get another run-out.”