Nigel Scott will finally be starting loan spell

Jun 5 2010 by Nick Purewal, The Journal

FIT-AGAIN half-back Nigel Scott will finally start his month-long Gateshead Thunder loan tomorrow – seven weeks after joining the club.

Thunder entertain Swinton Lions at Gateshead Stadium (kick-off 3pm), able to boast Hunslet Hawks loan signing Scott for the first time.

The England Students playmaker suffered a shoulder joint injury before he had even played for Thunder, back in April.

Ruled out for at least a month, Thunder and his parent club Hunslet thrashed out a deal to allow the loan to start from scratch, once Scott found fitness.

Delighted Thunder rugby director Chris Hood pushed through all the relevant paperwork on Thursday, and praised Hunslet once again for sticking to their guns.

“It would have been easy for Hunslet just to knock it on the head,” Hood explained, “but they always remained keen for Nigel to get his chance here, and now hopefully that will finally happen.”

Scott came through an England Students game unscathed in midweek, and trained with Thunder on Thursday night ahead of tomorrow’s Championship One clash.

Scott’s availability bolsters Thunder’s stocks in the vital line-running role, where Liam Duffy has so far been the only recognised half-back at the club.

Ryan Clarke has deputised when required but as one of the most senior Thunder men, Hood wants to deploy him in his more natural roles.

Scott’s fitness should hand him that opportunity, and Hood is excited about the task ahead against the Lions tomorrow.

Despite another tough defeat at the hands of Rochdale last weekend, Hood is in confident mood – and has told his players to keep making progress.

“It was a case of two steps forward against Workington,” Hood continued, “but then one back against Rochdale last weekend.

“So that’s frustrating and now we really need to get back on the right footing again.

“It’s progress at least, but we’re still doing it in fits and starts, and the players know just as well as everyone else that we have to start gaining consistency.

“It is another home game, so it’s another chance to make an impression in front of our own fans, and hopefully we can get out there and give them something to be impressed with.

“It’s been as tough for the fans as anyone else, and no one at the club is about to forget that – not one little bit.”