Photographer Ben Challis chooses top 10 2023 Workington sport pictures

Sports photographer Ben Challis has provided Newsquest titles in West Cumbria with a whole host of images enabling the websites and newspapers to tell the story of a year in sport.

From community rugby league, to showing remarkable achievements and shows of solidarity in which the sporting community came together in West Cumbria to do what West Cumbrians do best- stick together , he has captured it all.

And it's a year to be proud of as the West Cumbrian community came together to honour one of their own Logan Holgate, who died in January.

Since his death, friends and family of the hugely popular character Logan and his coach England Lions coach Gary McMahon came together earlier to launch a life-saving fundraising campaign in their memory.

In June, Workington Town RLFC used their home fixture against Midlands Hurricanes to host a day of fundraising for the Logan and Gary’s Lions Heart fund.

It was also a year in which Whitehaven rugby league legend Kyle Amor hung up his boots in an epic display of Cumbria vs. Wales at the Ortus Rec in Whitehaven.

And a year when town came back on top, after being relegated last season the club have had a promising year in League One under the leadership of new head coach Anthony Murray, with high hopes already for the 2024 season.

The team at Newsquest Cumbria would like to once again put on record sincere thanks to Ben for all his wonderful images.

Joy Yates, Newsquest Cumbria regional editor, said: "Ben has once again selected a fantastic set of photographs which have made his 2023 top 10.

"They capture many important events for fans of our sports coverage in The Whitehaven News and Times & Star.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Ben for his superb contributions to our print and online products."

Here are Ben's top 10 Times and Star rugby league pictures for 2023:

Logan Holgate's brother Fletcher, Uncle Paul, and cousins Aston and Alvie bring out the match ball for the LH7 fundraiser at Workington Town in June (Image: Ben Challis Sports Photography)

Kyle Amor poses for a selfie with Maryport junior Aaron McKean after Cumbria's win over Wales in October (Image: Ben Challis Sports Photography)

Matty Henson pounces for Workington's first try against North Wales in April (Image: Ben Challis Sports Photography)

What a season! Ciaran Walker' won Rugby League Awards League One Young Player of the Year, the Times & Star Readers Player of the Year, and Workington Town's Young Player and Golden Boot awards (Image: Ben Challis Sports Photography)

The Myers & Bowman Fanzone erupts as the bids for Sean Sabutey's shirt top one thousand pounds at the Town charity fundraiser for Logan & Gary's Lions Heart Fund on the 25th June (Image: Ben Challis Sports Photography)

Workington Town head Coach Anthony Murray celebrates the win against his former club North Wales Crusaders in the regular season (Image: Ben Challis Sports Photography)

Workington's Jordan Burns scores a try in Town's big win over Cornwall in June (Image: Ben Challis Sports Photography)

Sean Sabutey charges forwards on his way to score for Workington against Rochdale Hornets in July (Image: Ben Challis Sports Photography)

Distington and Kells U13s march out for their match at the Fibrus Community Stadium on the 30th July before Town took on Doncaster in Betfred League One (Image: Ben Challis Sports Photography)

Liam Anderson scores for Maryport in a season that saw Maryport win the E Lamb and Son Amateur Cup (Image: Ben Challis Sports Photography)