Last updated at 20:48, Thursday, 09 August 2012

Sunday's huge Championship One clash between Workington Town and Barrow Raiders, at Derwent Park, is the “biggest league game since I’ve been involved with the club”, said chairman Dave Bowden.

Although a lot of fans see the match as a title decider, Town have to beat Raiders by more than 12 points to stop them gaining a bonus point and going clear at the top.

But Bowden just sees it as a must-win match.

He said: “A lot of people are saying it’s a title decider, but the reality of beating Barrow by more than 12 points is a challenge in itself.

“A victory by that margin would certainly put us in the driving seat, but if we are fortunate enough to win, we have a big game at Oldham, and Rochdale must travel to Derwent Park and then fit in a midweek game at Gateshead.”

There is a £50,000 winner-takes-all prize for the league and Bowden said the club is concentrating on Sunday’s game and on landing the title.

And it would be no more fitting if Town were to land the league championship, 60 years on from arguably their most famous victory, 18-10 against Featherstone to lift the Challenge Cup at Wembley back in 1952.

Derwent Park is poised for another large crowd on Sunday, with Barrow bringing good support for a game that is as important for them as it is for Town.

Victory for the Raiders would almost certainly wrap up the title.

Almost 2,000 fans went through the gates for the Whitehaven game, and the club are hoping for a similar crowd.

Meanwhile, Town are still trying to sign up a Super League player before today’s deadline.

Bowden said: “We are still one player light to finish the season and go into the play-offs.

“We are talking to a Super League player in an attempt to get him in before the deadline but these things take time.”

Town fans will get the chance to see new dual registration signing Chris Annakin and Adam Walne, the players still waiting to make their debuts for the club after the clash at Gateshead Thunder was postponed because of the weather.

Joint coach Gary Charlton said: “I’ve never seen rain like it. It was dry when we arrived at the stadium but 45 minutes later, the pitch was covered in water. They are the sort of conditions where you can pick up injuries.

“We were all disappointed that the game didn't go ahead but the lads know what they need to do against Barrow on Sunday.

“We're on home soil and know how well we can play. They give 100 per cent every game and, with the great support we have, we can do a job.”

There will be a lot of familiar faces on the field with Scott Kaighan, Rory McGoff, Jack Pedley, Mike Backhouse and Aaron Lowe all having played for Town last season.

And the raiders will be led by coach Darren Holt who also played at Town.

l Town Flyer: Monday, John Dixon, of Maryport, D6774; Tuesday, D Lightfoot, Maryport, B0167; Wednesday, M Sanderson, Maryport, B6750; yesterday, S Robinson, Flimby, C0610; today, Alan Irving, Seaton, C0789.

First published at 19:19, Thursday, 09 August 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk