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Halifax RLFC - Gleeson boosts Calland
HALIFAX coach Matt Calland has tied up a fourth key playmaker for the next two seasons after Mark Gleeson put pen to paper on a new contract yesterday.
The former Warrington and England hooker, who first headed across the Pennines last summer, joins Bob Beswick, Ben Black and Sean Penkywicz in committing until the next round of Super League licences are handed out in 2012.
Gleeson, the brother of Wigan and Great Britain centre Martin, had been touted as a potential target for Fax's Championship rivals Widnes, who are coached by his former Wolves' mentor Paul Cullen.
"I'm delighted to have secured Mark for another two years," said Calland, who takes his side to Gateshead in Championship action on Sunday looking to consolidate their position at the top of the league ladder.
"With Bob, Ben and Sean already on board, he gives us real strength in those positions.
"The four of them all complement each other and I certainly think they are some of the best in the competition at what they do.
"Mark always gives us 100 per cent and I don't really think I can remember him having a bad game for us since he came here."
While the quartet have committed long term, Calland may have to make do without two of them in the north east this weekend.
Black is awaiting tests on a hand injury, a legacy of the victory over Leigh a fortnight ago, while Penkywicz's partner is expecting the couple's second child.
"Ideally, I'd like both of them to play but I think they are both looking very doubtful at the moment for different reasons," said Calland, who will welcome back another baby boomer, back rower Mark Roberts, after he sat out last weekend's Northern Rail Cup semi final clash on paternity duty.
"Mark's a really explosive character and he always lifts our performance."
Home grown forward Andy Bowman could also come into contention as Fax look to get back on track at the International Stadium, with Calland urging his players to stamp their authority on the Championship table.
"It's simple now: if we win every game we finish top," said Calland, who watched his side hammer the Thunder by 70 points in the corresponding home fixture back in the spring.
"That makes every week like a cup final and that's how we've got to treat it."
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Weather for Halifax
Saturday 11 February 2012
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