Fax's Eccleston hoping to keep his spot

The former Warrington speedster got his first call up of the year after coach Richard Marshall left young full back Ben Johnston out of the side after the round two defeat at Sheffield.

And Eccleston made the most of his chance, scoring a first half try and looking rock solid on a waterlogged Derwent Park pitch as Fax ground out a 20-0 Championship success.

“It’s the worst conditions I have ever played in, without a doubt,” said Eccleston, who will now hope to hold off Johnston, and the likes of Tommy Saxton and the fit-again Miles Greenwood, for a start in next Sunday’s home game against Batley (3.0).

“As a winger it’s a nightmare; the ball wasn’t bouncing from kicks, it was just stopping dead in the water.

“My goal was to just get through as much work as I could and not make any errors and I think I did that, so I’m happy.

“I have had a bit of time out and it’s tough to get in the side, so I was just pleased to play a part in a good team performance.

“It didn’t go right for us at Sheffield, but I thought we redeemed ourselves a little bit and played well in difficult conditions.

“Hopefully, I’ll be playing next week in better conditions so I can show my game a bit more.

“Batley will be tough though, they’re probably one of the form teams at the moment.”

Fax’s reserves lost out 30-22 to a far more experienced Dewsbury at Rams stadium on Monday night.

Greenwood played 80 minutes on his first appearance since breaking his leg in a Championship fixture against Featherstone a year ago.