TOWN BOSSES have extended the contract of a talented loose-forward until the end of next season, keen to see him go on a sustained run with the side.

Workington Town RLFC has announced that Hanley Dawson has extended his contract, keeping him at the side until at least the end of 2022.

Town were eager to extend Dawson’s contract as he was taken on after a successful trial in December 2019, competition was brought to an end due to the Coronavirus pandemic shortly after.

Dawson said “It was a no brainer. I was going well when the season ended with the best rugby I’d ever played under Chris, so happy to extend. I’m hoping to kick on with that form when we get this season underway and cement a regular place in the team.”

Dawson showed enough potential at his amateur side, Millom to draw the attention of Workington Town scouts in 2019.

He said: “The club and the other lads have been great since I joined and we’re all looking forward to getting back into competitive rugby.”

The Derwent Park side’s head coach Chris Thorman said: “We’re all really pleased that Hanley has extended his stay with us. We all know how quickly he excelled at this level at the beginning of 2020 and the signs in pre-season show that he will start 2021 where he left off.

Thorman said: “Hanley is one of a number of players at the club, that I have said I want around for as long as I’m at the club and I can’t pay him a better compliment than that.

“He brings such energy and intent in his training throughout the week and has a good eye for detail whenever we’re analysing our performances. Myself and the rest of the performance staff can’t wait to see what he can achieve this year.”

The side are back in pre-season ahead of their return to League One action. Their first game back in action will see them travel to South Leeds Stadium to face Hunslet on May 9.