Steve stays on lookout

Dec 27 2007 by Alex Turner, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

DESPITE the rugby-free Boxing Day for the Vikings yesterday, there remains a real purpose and ambition at Stobart Stadium Halton.

Tommy Gallagher last week became the 20th player to sign up for 2008, and coach Steve McCormack is still looking for more.

Back-rower Gallagher has had Super League experience with London Broncos, Widnes and Hull KR, making 24 appearances.

Gallagher said: “I’m looking forward to starting at Widnes again.

“I’ve spoken to several players and coaching staff and I’ve heard nothing but good reports about the way the club is being run under Steve O’Connor.”

Gallagher, who played six matches for the Vikings at the end of the 2004 season under caretaker coach Stuart Spruce, is looking forward to returning.

He said: “I enjoyed my first spell at Widnes and can’t wait to get started again. I am looking for a successful season with Steve McCormack and the boys.”

And he was warmly welcomed by McCormack, who is looking forward to taking advantage of his experience, despite Gallagher being only 24.

He said: “Tommy is a player with great experience and has demonstrated to the Widnes public he is a player who always gives 100%.

“He will bring with him professionalism and will be an important member of the first-team squad for next season.”

St Helens’ academy scrum-half Kyle Eastmond is the latest player to be linked with Vikings.

The 18-year-old made his Super League debut last June and despite his height – Eastmond is just 5ft 7in – he is expected to have a big future in the game.

However, the youngster is behind Sean Long and Matty Smith in the queue for the number seven shirt at Knowsley Road and he could follow team-mate Ian Hardman in joining the Vikings on loan for 2008.

Club bosses have been delighted by sales so far for the new Nike Vikings replica shirts.

A club spokesperson said: “Supporters have spent tens of thousands of pounds purchasing merchandise from Vikings’ new website over the past week with extra staff called in to handle the volume of internet and telephone sales.

“We are delighted by the fantastic response from our supporters and hope this pattern carries over into the New Year.

“Vikings’ merchandising is a vital means of finance for the future long-term stability of the club.”

However, they have been forced to roll their sleeves up and clarify a problem with the junior shirts, which are only available with long sleeves.

A spokesman said: “We hope our junior supporters won’t be too disappointed that their replica shirts only come in long-sleeve and we are happy to refund any juniors who only wanted to purchase a short-sleeve version.

“This really is something beyond our control and we hope our young fans will understand the situation.”

Four new law interpretations have been introduced for the coming season.

The changes, which were used for the first time yesterday in the host of Boxing Day fixtures, were agreed between Rugby Football League officials and coaches.

To be onside, all defenders must have both feet behind the referee’s front foot, which will act as a guide to the 10 metres from the play the ball.

At a 20m restart, if the ball is kicked and bounces in the field of play before going into touch then a scrum will be awarded with the head and feed awarded to the kicking team.

At a scrum, the loose-forward will no longer be able to trap the ball at the back of a scrum in order to catch the opposition offside, instead the ball will be deemed to be out of the scrum when it has emerged from between and behind the inner feet of the second-row forwards.

Until the ball reaches this stage, the opposing scrum-half must stand behind the back foot of his loose forward.

Also, a penalty try will not be awarded when the attacking team have the ball stolen over an opponent’s try line. Instead, the referee will award a penalty.