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Tries: Widnes....M Smith, D Blanch, G Dodd, S Gleeson (4 goals by Dodd) Haven.....S Miller 2, L Joe, D Seeds (goals from Rudd 2) Team: Broadbent, Calvert, Seeds, R Jackson, Maden, Joe, Duffy, Trindall, Lester, Fatialofa, Miller, Leafa, Rudd Subs: Mattinson, Hill, M Jackson, McAvoy Haven 30 (12-0) 0 Batley WHITEHAVEN came through this tough clash with Batley to keep their season alive. It was Haven's professional approach to the game, which was littered with penalties, that saw them through in the end. They refused to get drawn into a dog fight with the Bulldogs, keeping their cool and defending magnificently to keep the visitors at bay. And with the likes of John Duffy, Leroy Joe and Aaron Smith in great form going forward, Haven were always likely to score points. The first of those came just six minutes in when Spencer Miller slipped a sublime off-load to David Seeds Three years Seeds would have raced away to score but the seasoned campaigner didn't have the pace to make the line. What he did have was enough experience to run a great angle, holding possession and staying on his feet until he was agonising close to the line, before playing the ball quickly.  Craig Calvert was closest to him and so
picked it up and flung it out to John Duffy. With numbers outside
him Duffy backed himself, stepping inside Sean Richardson and
leaving the big second row clutching at his shadow. He coasted
over the line close to the posts, leaving Rudd with the simplest
of conversions. On nine minutes Batley broke the Haven line for
the very first time, Michael Wainwright's brilliant arching run
saw him past Rob Jackson and running at space. Gary Broadbent
came across and the kind of man and ball tackle that Haven fans
have come to expect of him. He hauled the on-rushing Wainwright
to the floor, covering the football and preventing the off-load.
But he clung on for a fraction too long on the deck, and referee
Steve Ganson had no hesitation in sending him to the sin bin
for ten minutes. That was harsh on Broadbent, who is one of the
cleanest players in the game, and who looked to be making a genuine
effort to get to his feet. He need not have worried about what
would happen to his team while he was off the park. On the first
phase after the penalty Ollie Marnes spilled the ball forward
and the pressure was off. On 15 minutes Haven got their second
try. Miller made a half break and then as he was grounded by
three Batley tacklers the ball spilled out. While the Bulldogs
stood around and waited for a knock on call that never came Mark
Leafa reacted, gathering the loose ball before throwing a sidestep
and going over the line for a try which Rudd converted. The game
was in danger of slipping away from Batley, as it had Rochdale
when they came to the Recreation Ground the previous week. Suddenly
Haven were making breaks and, on 21 minutes, Calvert thought
he had scored after good hands from Broadbent and Seeds. However
as the Haven flyer celebrated his score Ganson pulled play back,
his linesman having noticed Calvert put and unfortunate foot
in touch. After that the Bulldogs had their best spell of sustained
pressure, with Jay Duffy -- younger brother of Haven's John,
pulling the strings they tried every which way to get over the
Haven line. The visitors had several repeat sets, but they might
as well have been running into a brick wall as time and again
the Haven defence stood firm. Their only hope was that one of
Duffy's high kicks might come down from the heavens and into
a Batley hand. But even the best of those was gathered, snow
cap and all, magnificently by Calvert. On 36 minutes Haven had
another try ruled out by Ganson.Aaron Lester kicked through and the ball was, clear as day, knocked on by a Haven hand before Steve Maden picked it up and sent Rob Jackson under the posts. For some reason Mr Ganson allowed play to continue before, after the try had been scored, calling play back for the knock on. Only instead of giving the knock on he gave a Batley penalty, seemingly for offside, and left everyone scratching their heads. That left the score at 12-0 at the interval, and Batley must at that stage have thought they were in with a shout, especially having come from behind so well at Leigh the previous week. After that game Leigh complained at the way the Bulldogs had gone about their business, a little too rough and ready for the Centurions' liking. And it was very much the same here. Nobody minds a good hard game but Batley played very much on the edge, they walked the fine line between hard and dirty and, at times, strayed from the path. One such occasion came on 55 minutes when Wainwright thumped into a tackle on Calvert. Calvert tried to get to his feet and play the ball but Wainwright gave no quarter, instead pushing the Haven wingers' tiny frame down into the ground. Greame Mattinson tried to intervene and stop the Batley man from further savaging Calvert. The result? Rather bafflingly a penalty to the visitors. Whitehaven though were doing well not to get drawn in, instead concentrating on their rugby. David Fatialofa, sporting a cut mouth from a first half clash, made a superb charge over the halfway line on 57 minutes. With defenders hanging on every limb Fatialofa slipped a marvellous ball -- easily the pass of the match -- to Spencer Miller. Miller still had work to do but had the legs, just, to get over the try line before Craig Lingard could bring him down. Rudd landed a tricky two-pointer and when he added a penalty two minutes later it seemed the game was up. Batley were starting to tire, their body language was screaming out that they were a beaten side, and Haven were in the mood to take full advantage. Another charge from Fatialofa, this time deep in his own half, might have ended in more had Mark Leafa not been taken out off the ball by Chris Langley as he tried to run onto yet another off-load from the big Kiwi. Langley was placed on report for whatever he did to send the on-rushing Haven man to the canvass. On 65 minutes the home side had a third try disallowed, this time Leroy Joe's high, looping ball to David Seeds was adjudged forwards, much to the disappointment of the home fans. They didn't have to wait too long though, when Calvert finally got the try his performance deserved on 71 minutes. The winger, who turned in his best performance in months, backed himself to cut back in and get over the line and he did. Rudd was unlucky with the touchline conversion attempt. There was just time for one more try, Leafa -- who had only one try for the season before this game -- grabbing his second of the afternoon. He chased Aaron Lester's kick through and got their first, and the hooter sounded just as Carl Rudd added the conversion. So job done for Haven, a professional, disciplined display in front of a crowd of almost 2,000, and the dream of a third successive grand final still alive. Teams; Haven, Gary Broadbent, Craig Calvert, David Seeds, Rob Jackson, Steve Maden, Leroy Joe, John Duffy, Steve Trindall, Aaron Smith, David Fatialofa, Spencer Miller, Mark Leafa, Carl Rudd. Subs (all used) Graeme Mattinson, Marc Jackson, Howard Hill, Aaron Lester. Batley, Craig Lingard, Jamie Stokes, Chris Langley, Ollie Marnes, Michael Wainwright, John Gallagher, Jay Duffy, David Rourke,Kris Lythe, Luke Stenchion, Sean Richardson, Tim Spears, Mark Toohey, Subs (all used) Ash Lindsey, Anthony Henderson, Luke Menzies, Ian Marsh. Haven Tries, Duffy (6) Leafa (16, 79), Miller (58) Calvert (71). Goals Rudd, 5/6 Sin Bin Broadbent (9) laying on. Star Man: John Duffy Batley On report Langley (64). Star Man Jay Duffy. Attendance 1,906 Ref: Steve Ganson (St Helens) Pens 11-11 Half time: 12-0 Scoring sequence; 6-0, 12-0, 18-0, 20-0, 24-0, 30-0. John Duffy. You could stick a pin in the Haven side and make a case for anyone from the 17, particularly Fatialofa and Joe, but Duffy's kicking controlled things and he made some outstanding tackles too. Gamebreaker. Haven's outstanding defence when Batley had a number of repeat sets in the first half. If you don't concede points you don't lose rugby matches.
Haven 38- Rochdale 10 In a wonderful piece of play the ball looped out along the line for Calvert to sprint home in the corner. The ever inventive Duffy then scored as Haven relaxed into their winning pattern. Rudd converted. After a Hornet's knock on Seeds grabbed a try (converted) Snatching from a knocked forward ball Rochdale got their consolation try before half-time 26-4. The second half started slower before Rob Jackson scored two in succession. King then got a second for the visitors. TRIES: A Smith, S Miller, C Calvert, J Duffy, D Seeds, R Jackson 3 Squad: Broadbent, Calvert, Seeds, R.Jackson, S.Maden, Joe, Duffy, Trindle, A.Smith, Fatialofa, Miller, Leafa, Rudd; G.Mattinson, M.Jackson, Hill and Lester. The game saw former Town player, Matt Sturm cheered as it was announced his retirement from the game. Racking up the Points THE Recreation Ground fell silent to pay tribute to one of its favourite sons, John James McKeown, who died last week. The legend, who scored over 1,000 points for the club, was reckoned by many to be the greatest player ever to pull on the chocolate, blue and gold, and the minutes silence to honour him was impeccably observed by the 1,764 strong crowd.  JJ, who played in the clubs' first ever game back in 1948, would have been impressed by the clubs current charges, who paid their own 12 try tribute to great man. Racking up 66 points against any opposition is a good way to finish the season. But in truth Haven will have to improve in the play-offs, where they will face far sterner tests the divisions whipping boys Oldham were able to give them. The scoring started as early as the second minute, Rob Jackson racing onto a flat pass from John Duffy and ignoring calls from Craig Calvert on his outside to out strip the Oldham defence and score ion the corner, Carl Rudd obliged with a tricky touchline conversion. The visitors had hardly had time to gather their thoughts and Jackson was in again (4). This time he exploded onto a ball from David Fatialofa and raced away for his second try in the space of four minutes. Rudd again added the extras as some of the visiting fans must have started to wonder why they'd made the long trip north. Whitehaven themselves were guilty of thinking they would run up a cricket score, and some indecision gave the visitors their first taste of the action with a scrum close to the Haven posts. Phil Farrell picked the ball up at its base and fed Paul Ashton. With Haven defenders standing idle Aston darted over the whitewash to offer hope to the visitors. He failed to convert his own score. Oldham were offering little in attack or defence but Whitehaven's insistence on playing Globetrotter rugby meant that time and again passes went to ground and the visitors were let off the hook. Craig Calvert, in particular, was guilt of letting try scoring chances slip by but he was not the only. With all the fancy-dan passing and forced off-loads it was ironic that the next try came the first time Haven kept it simple. Aaron Smith backed himself to go from acting half back and had the strength to force his way over the line. Rudd missed this time with the conversion. Two minutes later Haven were in again, Craig Calvert finally making the most of a chance when Rob Jackson unselfishly put him in in the corner, Rudd was again wide of the mark with the conversion. The duo linked up again when Jackson, who was running Oldham ragged, made a superb break and then spread the ball to Calvert, who got over the whitewash for his second try, Rudd missed the conversion, The game was put to bed when, in the 38th minute, Derrie Eilbeck went on a mazy run from 20 metres out and touched down near the posts, Rudd added the extras. The visitors emerged late from the dressing room for the second half and must have wished they had not emerged at all when only a minute in, Leroy Joe scored yet another Haven try. A combination of strong running from Howard Hill and sloppy tacking from the Oldham defence allowed Hill to charge through three, he then got the ball away to John Duffy who made a half break, going into space before releasing Joe on his inside. Rudd again added the extras. Oldham have endured a dreadful season of injured, and two of the substitutes they named for this game, Gareth Barber and Mark Roberts, were not fit to take any part. With a two man bench they were always going to find it tough, and their cause was not helped with Dean Gorton was sin-binned on 55 minutes for laying on. Gorton was the fifth or sixth Oldham player guilty of slowing play down, and could have little complaint as he was sent to the dug-out. On 56 minutes Greame Mattinson sparked into life, making a break from halfway and the releasing Duffy when faced by Oldham full back Desi Williams. Duffy scored under the posts and Rudd added a simple two pointer. Next it was the turn of Haven prop Neil Baynes to get his name on the scoresheet. Basher Baynes bulldozed his way over the whitewash on 63 minutes and Rudd added the extras. Six minutes later Duffy got his second, making a superb jinxing run to get clear of the defence before touching down, Rudd made it good. On 75 minutes Spencer Miller got the try that his all action man-of-the-match performance had deserved, finishing off after yet another Duffy break for a try which Rudd converted. There was just time for one more Duffy break, this time the talented scrum half ghosted through the defence and, somewhat unselfishly considering he was on a hat-trick, passed the ball to Mark Leafa after he had got over the line. Rudd converted again. Teams; Haven, Gary Broadbent, Craig Calvert, Rob Jackson, Derrie Eilbeck, Steve Maden, Leroy Joe, John Duffy, Steve Trindall, Aaron Smith, David Fatialofa, Spencer Miller, Mark Leafa, Carl Rudd, Subs, all used, Greame Mattinson, Marc Jackson, Howard Hill, Neil Baynes. Oldham, Desi Williams, Andy Gorley, Dean Gorton, Alan Hadcroft, Alex Wilkinson, Ian Hodson, Paul Ashton, David Best, John Hough, Ged Corcoran, Lee Wingfield, Sion Williams, Phil Farrel. Subs (used) Chris Baines, Gareth Haynes (not used) Gareth Barber, Mark Roberts. Goals, Rudd 9/12 Star Man Spencer Miller Goals Ashton, 0/1 Sin Bin, Gorton (laying on) Star Man, Paul Aston. Ref, Peter Taberner Half time 30-4 Scoring, 6-0, 12-0, 12-4, 16-4, 20-4, 24-4, 30-4, 36-4, 42-4, 48-4, 54-4, 60-4, 66-4. Pens, 10-3 in Haven's favour. News
of new Commercial Manager leaked on Marras message board  John McKeown passed away on Tuesday aged 80. The former full-back, who made a club record 417 appearances for Haven Halifax 18- Haven 26(full time).. tries Haven squad: Broadbent, Lebbon, R Jackson, Eilbeck, Maden, Joe, Duffy, Trindall, A Smith, Fatialofa, Miller, Leafa, Rudd. Subs: Mattinson, Wright, Hill, Teare. Halifax: Gibson, Kirk, Haley, Blackwood, George, Penny, Brambani, Smith, Hoyle, Wrench, Larder, Whittaker, Ball. Subs: Lawford, Boult, Clough, Hayes. Signed up Derry Eilbeck signs two year deal with Haven (September 2006) faces Jammies Haven entertain Town on Friday, December 29 at 7pm. The match will see the teams fight for the honour of the Ike Southward Memorial Trophy. Hull Humbled by Haven Power Haven 48 (28 - 0) Hull KR 12 August 20 2006  Putting
the Past the Pelican Blues well behind them Haven enjoyed strong
open play to grasp Hull KR throughout this tough but entertaining
game. John Duffy was on form and neatly skipped another in the
Haven wing to feed rising star John Lebbon for the opener.(pictured
at his second try) Then ace kicker Rudd touched down a high kick
fed to him in the corner by that man Duffy.When Welland missed a high lobbed kick Steve Madden didn't waste a second in grounding the ball. Soon after there was a runnaway break through as Madden pelted along the wing for his second. To put the gloss on a superb first half showing Leroy Joe scored with his own drive and agility. In the second period Mattinson helped earn his Man of the Match award by diving over on the left wing. Matty Brooks then gained a consolation try for the visitors, which was converted and the tarvelling army started raising their expectations,in vain. Power brokwer Howard Hill took the opportunity of last tackle to score. Ellis then responded for Hull but soon after a much stronger and fitter Spence Miller powered home. Final try came from Egremont's local hero Lebbon. The crowd observed a minute's silence in honour of Jack Graham. Broadbent, Lebbon, Seeds, Eilbeck, Maden, Joe, Duffy, Trindall, A Smith, Fatialofa, Miller, Leafa, Rudd Subs: Mattinson, Hill, Teare, Wright Gate 2063
  Hull KR web site Dismal at York WHITEHAVEN crashed out to a 28-18 defeat to a side who have beaten only bottom-club Oldham this season and are set for relegation. Home 'one-to-watch' Lee Mapals had already played in the curtain-raising Under-21s match between the clubs, but Haven rarely tested his inexperience or fitness and indeed the youngster had the last word with the final try of the match, after Steve Maden failed to deal with a chip to the corner. Maden allowed another York try due to an error. Those two tries turned a probable win into defeat for Haven. John Duffy scored a first half try for Haven. York had made their ownb errors in the rain and Lester was quick to snatch a try after a York slip up. D.Eilbeck then grabbed a well earned try for Haven and Rudd kept up steady conversions but the home side were up for it and took a penalty.
Whitehaven 22 - Doncaster Lakes 12 August 6 2006
Leroy Joe and Craig Calvert did their classic one-two with a well placed kick to corner for the winger to catch and touch down. Rudd converted from wide to leave the half-time score 12-6. Gate; 1829 Referee (often confusingly) Smith. Bulldogs beaten Batley 12 (0-6) 20 Haven Tries from Lester, Seeds and Madden . Goalkicker Rudd. Leigh go down Again! Leigh 12 (6-8) 22 Haven Tries for Haven from Maden, Calvert and Seedsy, goals from Chris Rudd. In July 2006 the News and Star states Red Hall has barred Haven from Super League 2007 because of the lack of progress over ground improvements at Recreation Ground. Of course if you are Catalan then no problem getting into SL! Later RFL claimed no firm decision yet...will it always stay as a Stadium in our Dreams? Washington Backing for Haven July 2006 Whitehaven’s major backer Washington Group International was at the Recreation Ground this week to present a £5,000 cheque and reiterate the company’s long-term commitment to the club. July 9 2006 Widnes 26 - 12 (14 - 6) Whitehaven July 2 2006 Haven 32 (0-16) 22 Leigh. Despite being two men down after a grim first half performance Haven set the recre alive with a fight back that saw some superb tries from Calvert(3), Duffy, McAvoy and Maden.  M Govin 3. Tries For Whitehaven: C Calvert 3, J Duffy, S Maden, S McAvoy. Goals For Whitehaven: C Rudd (4) Haven: Broadbent, Calvert, Seeds (Cpt.), Eilbeck, Maden, Joe, Duffy, Jackson, Smith, Trindall, McAvoy, Leaf, Rudd, Sice, Wright, Hill, Fatialofa. Ten Grand for Lotto winner  Hull K R 74 - 12 Whitehaven Tries from G Broadbent, D Seeds. Whitehaven: Gary Broadbent , Craig Calvert , David Seeds , Derry Eilbeck , Steve Maden , Leroy Joe , Carl Rudd , Marc Jackson , Aaron Smith , Steve Trindall , Scott McAvoy , Howard Hill , Mark Leafa , Carl Sice , Scott Farmer , Chris McKinney , Scott Teare . Rochdale 32 (13 - 0) 6 Whitehaven After the crashing defeat at Rochdale the club's official message board has fans starting to question Dave Rotheram's leadership. The squad playing at Rochdale was : Broadbent, Calvert, Seeds, Eilbeck, Maden, Joe, Duffy, Hill, Sice, Trindall, McAvoy, Leafa, A Smith Subs: Barker, Jackson, McKinney, D Smith. Match report on Hornets site 
Two late tries gave Haven the win in this cracker, a result which had looked unlikely when Halifax got their noses in front for the first time with just four minutes left on the clock. James Haley's simple conversion after Dean Lawford's try on 76 minutes gave the visitors an 18-20 lead, and as Haven's players trudged back to kick off they looked a beaten side. But they grabbed two scores from nowhere to claim a 30-20 victory. The sides were evenly matched in the opening exchanges, with the two big packs carrying the ball well. Although Haven held a slight territorial advantage it was 'Fax who almost broke the deadlock. John Duffy tried to move the ball wide but Anthony Blackwood intercepted and raced away. Nobody was going to catch him, but fortunately for Haven he was pulled back by referee Ian Smith for being offside. A few minutes later Carl Sice nearly got over the whitewash as he chased Leroy Joe's kick through, but a kind bounce allowed Brad Attwood to put the ball out. Sice was at the heart of the move which finally saw the game's first points on 12 minutes. He made a superb break from his own half, skipping out of half a dozen tackles before releasing Duffy on his inside. Duffy didn't have the legs to out-strip Attwood and tried to fling the ball out to Craig Calvert. However Attwood raised his arms to block the pass and had dreadful luck as it bounced off them and back into Duffy's path. Duffy gathered the ball and touched down, before adding the extras. On 20 minutes Sice backed himself to go from acting half-back after good work from debutant Mark Leafa. Sice dummied and ducked his shoulder, but looked to have failed until- he stretched out an arm and grounded the ball. Duffy again added the extras. Sice was running riot and it was something of a surprise when Dave Rotheram pulled him off for a well earned breather immediately following his try. Without the busy Sice pulling the strings for the home side they went a little flat, and ex Haven man Joel Penny teamed up with Dean Lawford to start to give the visitors a foothold in the game. Penny gave a fantastic flat ball to Blackwood close to the Haven line on 26 minutes. Blackwood slipped the ball to Marcus George, the tall wing man touched down in the corner and Haley was unlucky to see his touchline conversion come back off the crossbar. The same pair combined again five minutes later. This time it was Lawford's kick that Blackwood gathered before releasing George for his second try. Haley added the extras. It was no shock to see Sice reintroduced at half-time, and he took little over a minute to grab his second try, again backing himself from close range. Duffy added the extras. However for all their effort Haven were unable to kill Halifax off, and you got the feeling that they would get a chance to score themselves at some point. That chance came on 69 minutes, and Damien Ball took it after good work from Andy Kirk. Haley missed the conversion but 'Fax could sniff victory. George made a great break from his own half and moved the ball back inside to Radney Bowker on 75 minutes. Bowker didn't quite have the legs to make it all the way to the line but from the next play-the-ball Lawford scurried over. Haley's conversion looked to have won it with time ticking away. However McAvoy managed to flick Duffy's kick off back to Hill. Later in the set McAvoy made a superb break before finding Hill on the inside, and he broke Halifax hearts when he forced his way over. Duffy added the extras. The Halifax players could have been forgiven for having tears in their eyes, but they couldn't get Teare in their arms as he burst clear from his own half, making a 40 metre break from the kick off. Sice ran across the field and then found Hill, who put Craig Calvert away to score as the hooter sounded. Duffy added the extras to finish with a five from five attempts. The result was probably a fair reflection, but both sets of players can walk away with their heads held high -- what a cracking game of rugby league. Haven, Gary Broadbent, Craig Calvert, Derrie Eilbeck, Rob Jackson, Steve Maden, Leroy Joe, John Duffy, Neil Baynes, Carl Sice, Steve Trindall, Scott McAvoy, Howard Hill, Mark Leafa, Subs(all used) Marc Jackson, Aaron Smith, Ricky Wright, Scott Teare. Tries, Duffy (12) Sice (20, 41) Hill (78) Calvert (80) Goals, Duffy 5/5 George (26, 31) Ball (69) Lawford (75) Goals,Haley, 2/4 Ref Ian Smith (Oldham) HT 12-10 Pens, 6-3 in Haven's favour. Warrington Wolves 46 - Haven 2 Mark Leafa could run out at the Recre against Haifax next Sunday. Scott Teare Straight onto the Scoresheet Oldham 10...Haven 48 Whitehaven welcomed back Craig Walsh and Chris McKinney. Carl Sice continues his run of good form with a hat trick. Whitehaven : Gary Broadbent, Craig Calvert, David Seeds, Rob Jackson, Steve Maden, Leroy Joe, John Duffy, Neil Baynes , Carl Sice , Steve Tindall, Ricky Wright , Howard Hill, Carl Rudd Subs: Derry Eilbeck, Scott McAvoy, Craig Walsh, Scott Teare.
Slippin and Sliding Hull KR 37- Haven 10 Sice and Rob Jackson both scored but the result was as many had feared...Follwing report from Hullkr.co.uk: THE Rockin Robins continued their victory roll as they disposed of a battling Whitehaven side hard hit by injuries. There is no doubt the Cumbrians came to slow down Rovers' quick play the ball. But Dewsbury referee Jamie Leahy was having none of it and by half time the penalty count was something like 10-1 in Rovers’ favour. And while it did slow the Robins down, it also made sure the visitors were starved of the ball for long periods. Bearing that in mind the Cumbrians did look dangerous going forward with Carl Sice being a lively customer all afternoon. Former Rovers’ men Howard Hill and Leroy Joe put themselves about, although Joe was not at his best. Rovers’ on-loan prop Sebastien Martins did not even have the benefit of a run out with the team before making his debut from the bench but he made a sound contribution and looks as if his loan period will be a fruitful one. All the early pressure came from Rovers and the Robins showed their intent in the third minute when David Tangata-Toa produced a fair impression of Michael Smith in full flight, crashing over the line with three Cumbrian defenders hanging on to him. With French ace Damien Couturier out injured kicking duties fell to Gareth Morton and the Scottish rugby union international stepped up to slot over the conversion. Leroy Joe managed to get his side on the move but his kick went dead as Craig Calvert tried to get a hand to it. Rovers were only temporarily halted though and six minutes later Tommy Gallagher sent forward and as he was halted just short of the line he managed to pop the ball up out of the tackle and Morton was on hand to take the pass and touch down before adding the conversion. And whether it was part of the slowing down process or not Whitehaven were showing a tendency to go high in the tackle, not always penalised by the referee. But when Steve Trindall went high on Tangata-Toa in the 11th minute Morton was again on target. Ben Fisher and Jon Goddard put in telling efforts but Whitehaven defended manfully until the 24th minute when Scott Teale found himself on the way to the sin-bin for an offence at the play the ball. A minute later the Cumbrians paid a double penalty as Gallagher went in for a try which Morton converted to take the score to 20-0 in Rovers’ favour. Rovers kept on attacking with Steel only being halted by a desperate effort from Craig Calvert who injured himself in the process and had to leave the field. Michael Smith was producing his usual blend of power, footwork and offloading skills and he too went close. New boy Seb Martins showed a little of his French Super League pedigree with a neat offload to Jon Goddard but the centre put the ball down. Morton almost got on the end of a kick from Webster whose kicking game got the side about the park well, aided by some slick running from young Scott Murrell. As halftime approached Smith again went close, Goddard kept the pressure on by forcing Maden into touch and in the dying seconds of the half Murrell found himself unmarked in front of the posts and calmly slotted over the field goal which saw Rovers into a 21-0 lead at the break. From the restart Baynes and Joe got themselves in a bit of a tangle as Rovers went straight back on the offensive. And from the scrum which followed Ben Cockayne showed how dangerous he can be when he went on a curving run to Rovers' left and scorched in to touchdown in the corner. Morton’s attempted conversion from the touchline just faded across the face of the posts. Then Goddard forced Broadbent into conceding a drop out under the posts. Showing no inclination to drop off the pace Rovers kept on pressing and on 47 minutes Murrell produced an unexpected switch kick off his left foot and Morton read it well to touchdown. From the right hand side, facing Preston Road, Morton smacked the conversion clean between the uprights to make it 31 points without reply. Morton then made a telling break before finding Steel and it appeared the winger only had Gary Broadbent to beat, but somehow the Cumbrians managed to prevent their line from being crossed again. Just before the hour Rovers eased off a little and Leroy Joe provided the pass which ended with Carl Sice crossing for a try converted by Carl Rudd. And nine minutes later John Duffy, who had a sound enough game, carved out an opening for Rob Jackson to touchdown. This time Rudd’s conversion attempt was sliced wide. But the last word went to Rovers. Morton, the man of the match, headed for the try line and looked to have lost the ball in the tackle. But somehow instead of knocking on he knocked the ball backwards and while defenders waited to see what was going on Steel picked the ball up and ran behind the posts to touch down for the final try, converted by Morton. Squad: Gary Broadbent, Craig Calvert, David Seeds, Marc Jackson, Steve Maden, Leroy Joe, John Duffy, Neil Baynes, Carl Sice, Steve Tindall, Ricky Wright, Howard Hill, Carl Rudd Subs: Derry Eilbeck, Scott McAvoy, John Lebbon, Scott Teale. Hull K R: Ben Cockayne, Leroy Rivett, Gareth Morton, Jamie Goddard, Jon Steel, Scott Murrell, James Webster, Makali Aizue, Ben Fisher, David Tangata-Toa, Ian Morrison, Michael Smith, Tommy Gallacher Subs: James Garmston, Gareth Price., Jason Netherton, Sebastien Martins. Referee: Jamie Leahy Attendance: 2366 Outclassed by the Vikings Haven 16 (2-20) 38 Widnes (U21s Featherstone Rovers...70-18 Whitehaven)
Referee was Peter Taberner Attendance: 3040 Haven: Gary Broadbent, Craig Calvert, David Seeds, Rob Jackson, Derry Eilbeck, Carl Rudd, Leroy Joe, Neil Baynes, John Duffy, Chris McKinney, Ricky Wright, Howard Hill, Steve Trindall Subs: Sice, S. Farmer, Craig Walsh, Craig Chambers Subs: Aaron Summers, Danny Heaton, Paul Crook, Mick Cassidy  Now we face Hull KR
Haven 38- 24 Rochdale   The first half score of 24-0 is deceptive as Rochdale were a big, often fast moving side that could just have given Haven a problem after Marc Jackson was red carded for a blatant attack on a man down. Luckily the rest of the Haven squad earned their spurs with Rudd kicking to perfection, including converting one of his own tries. For many he was M of the Match, but the official M of M was the equally deserving John Duffy. He like Leroy Joe seemed to be everywhere all the time both in attack and defence. Once again Sice proved he could slice through any defence like a knife through butter.  Tries: Sice , Rudd , Maden (2) Eilbeck, Hill Conversions: Rudd; 6 plus one penalty. .  Doncaster 32 (21 - 12) 32 Haven Tries:S Maden, C Calvert, J Duffy, M Jackson, D Seeds Goals; C Rudd 4, M Jackson 2
Haven having beaten Batley at Mount Pleasant a week ago in the Challenge Cup, Haven lived up to expectations early on, taking the lead on seven minutes after a brilliant move on the right hand side.  John
Duffy shipped the ball out to Rob Jackson and the centre drew
his man and released Derrie Eilbeck outside him. It was as Mike
Wainwright bundled the former Brow player into touch he cleverly
threw the ball back inside to Jackson, who gathered the pass
and raced away to score under the posts. Carl Rudd added.Batley had seldom threatened the Haven line when out of nowhere the Bulldogs got level. Mark Toohey gave a defence splitting pass to Craig Lingard joining the line from full-back. Lingard was too strong for his opposite number, Steve Maden, and pushed him off to touch down close to the sticks. Steve Jones converted and then, on 21 minutes, a penalty to put the visitors in front. That sparked them into life and as Haven seemed to struggle to control the ball the Bulldogs grew in confidence. Whitehaven were still struggling to complete sets, which was keeping the pressure off the Bulldogs. However, they did manage keep hold of the ball long enough for Craig Chambers to give them back the lead on 32 minutes. John Duffy crafted open a gap for the bustling second row, who was unstoppable form five yards out. Rudd missed the kick. Haven could have had another try before the break but it was disallowed after Maden and Sean Richardson clashed and referee Peter Taberner rightly brought play back, denying Haven a try that their play had deserved. It was 10-8 at the interval. Whitehaven got it through Chambers again, powering over the whitewash on 46 minutes. However Carl Rudd was having a bad day with the boot and he missed the kick-able conversion to leave Batley within a converted try. Jones missed a penalty for the Bulldogs and then Rudd did likewise for Haven before finally kicking one to stretch the lead a little further. In the meantime John Duffy was sent to the sin bin for dissent The game was getting scrappy, and no player likes a scrap as much as Marc Jackson. Forced into an extended stay by an injury to Neil Baynes, Jacko was in the thick of everything with some massive tackling and barnstorming runs up the field. He has always been a rugged defender, and a tough, deceptively quick ball carrier, but under Dave Rotheram Jackson seems to have developed an eye for an off-load, something that will make him one of the best prop forwards in the competition. Batley had Ian Marsh sent off for a shocking high tackle on Mark Deans on 67 minutes. Deans made a big impact when he was introduced, but not as big as the one that Carl Sice did. The hooker returned to the action after being given a spell off the field and announced his arrival with a try on 72 minutes. It was vintage Sice, flashing a dummy before scurrying over from acting half-back. Rudd added the extras. Having shown what he could do from five metres there was just about time for him to show what he could do from. Sice made a sensational break up the middle of the park, deep in his own half. As he galloped up to half way he had little by the way of support and so attempted to outstrip Lingard. The Bulldogs full-back had enough pace to catch Sice with fully 30 metres to go to the line, but he hadn't reckoned with a powerful hand-off and as he went sprawling to the floor the Haven hooker was able to streak away and score in front of a delighted Kells End. Rudd again missed the conversion to leave the final score at Haven 26-8 Batley
Haven, Steve Maden, Derrie Eilbeck, David Seeds, Rob Jackson, Craig Calvert, Leroy Joe, John Duffy, Neil Baynes, Carl Sice, Steve Trindall, Scott McAvoy, Howard Hill, Carl Rudd. Subs (all used) Mark Deans, Craig Chambers, Marc Jackson, Greame Mattinson. Cup away to Batley April 2 2006
At Mount not so Pleasant Haven tries from Seeds (2), Rob Jackson, Eilbeck, Sice, Rudd (2) Whitehaven squad : Steve Maden, Daniel Smith, David Seeds, Rob Jackson, Derry Eilbeck, Leroy Joe, John Duffy, Neil Baynes, Carl Sice, Steve Tindall, Scott McAvoy, Howard Hill, Carl Rudd Subs: Mark Deans, Marc Jackson, Chris McKinney, Craig Chambers
won't hold Haven Back from SL  WHITEHAVEN
will reject a £100,000 sweetener to stay in NL1 next season
if they win this season’s Grand Final, according to the
News and Star The six-figure offer to prospective NL1 Grand Final
winners was announced at the National League launch at Oulton
Park race circuit in Cheshire on March 30 2006.(See Dave Rotheram with his new car at Oulton ..given to him by LHF Healthplan, Yorkshire’s leading Healthplan provider....well they wouldn't let him keep the car!) Attendance only 400. Tries: Peers, Stephenson , Jeffries , Cakacaka . Conversions: Birch (2) Conversions: Rudd (6) Gateshead Thunder: Stephenson, Brown, Jeffries, Aderiye, Peers, Glass, Birch, Line, Thorman, Cakacaka, Bradley, Gocher, Burley Subs; (all used) Rowe, St.Bernard, Rutherford, Neighbour Whitehaven: O'Neill, Calvert, Seeds, R.Jackson, Smith, Joe, Bainbridge, Baynes, Sice, Trindall, McAvoy, Walsh, Rudd Subs; (all used) Barker, Deans, McKinney, M.Jackson Star Man: Carl Rudd Referee: Paul Carr (Castleford) Town beaten 0-48 in Latest Derby  Matches to be played 1 and 2 April: Featherstone v Keighley Catalans Dragons v Thornhill Trojans Swinton v York Hunslet v Hull KR Batley v Whitehaven Widnes v Castleford St Helens v Doncaster Warrington v London Skolars Harlequins v Toulouse Barrow v Oldham Rochdale v Celtic Crusaders Halifax v Huddersfield Wakefield v Wigan Bradford v Hull Leigh v Leeds Salford v Dewsbury
  The Pia squad have a donkey as their mascot because of the beast's obstinacy and a courage ! ( obstination et courage ) There was a minute's silence in honour of Whitehaven born and bred Jeff Bawden, who died aged 82. Bawden started his Rugby League career with Whitehaven amateur club, Hensingham, and after making his debut for Huddersfield in the Yorkshire |Cup against |Hull at Fartown on October 23, l943, gained l4 Cumberland caps. Haven 26 Barrow 18
 
Marc Bainbridge made his Whitehaven debut and the teenage half-back was in the thick of the action. Fellow former Hensingham amateur Scott McAvoy starting in the second-row. Winger John Lebbon made an important second half touchdown as the NL2 visitors kept snatching lucky breaks as Haven failed to stamp their authority. Haven: Broadbent, Lebbon, Seeds, R Jackson, Maden, Joe, Rudd, Trindall, Sice, Chambers, Wilkes, McAvoy, Hill. Subs: Bainbridge, Deans, M Jackson, McKinney. Tries: Maden (2) Jackson , Sice ,Calvert , Seeds , Jackson . Conversions: Rudd (4) INJURY-HIT Whitehaven outgunned visiting Gateshead to remain unbeaten in the Northern Rail Cup. Haven, missing six first choice players, showed no signs of weakness early on, leaving Gatehead floundering. Haven were sharp and alert and Thunder looked almost asleep. First blood came as Duffy send Steve Maden racing clear. The Haven winger outstripped Irvin Greenwood and Joe Burley, racing away to touch down in the corner. Carl Rudd missed this conversion. Rob Jackson then got a touch down after Chris McKinney had broken down the middle of the park. Soon after Sice scored and Rudd notched the conversion. Maden was in the thick of it again on 20 minutes, interchanging passes with Rob Jackson, to unlock the visitors' defence. This time, however, Thunder full back Graham Stephenson saw the danger and did enough to stop him getting free. Gateshead had not had time to settle and, as the match passed the 20 minute stage, they started to find a little rhythm. Indeed, by the time Steve Rutherford knocked on with the line at his mercy on 27 minutes they were positively bossing proceedings. Thunder are their own worst enemy, they have some lively half backs in Neil Thorman and Jason Connors and a lot of go forward up front, but poor completion rates due to silly mistakes never allowed them to get back into contention. It was one such mistake, by Joel Barnes, which let Haven off the hook again. Having put some real pressure on the Haven defence they tried to keep the home side pinned deep in their own half. But Barnes was all over David Seeds as the Haven skipper tried to get to his feet and play the ball, leaving referee Craig Halloran no option but to send him to the sin bin. To be fair to Barnes it was his first offence but several other Thunder players had also been guilty and so he was the one who took the punishment. With Barnes in the sin bin Haven took advantage of a gap on the right side of Thunder's defence, Leroy Joe sending a kick through for Craig Calvert to cross the whitewash (30), Rudd tacked on the extras. Gateshead kept going and got the reward that their tenacity deserved on 37 minutes when Rutherford managed to keep hold of the ball and touch down following some excellent work from prop Rob Line. Kevin Neighbour sliced the conversion attempt to leave the half time score at 20 points to four. The Haven injury jinx struck again as Craig Calvert hobbled off for an early shower and John Duffy failed to emerge after the break having gone off at half-time clutching his stomach. Thunder started the second period the brighter and made their pressure tell on 49 minutes when Joe Burley got over the line. This time Thorman missed the conversion. Thunder were back within striking distance of Haven and the home supporters were growing increasingly restless. Without Duffy they were lacking a playmaker, but Carl Rudd, switched to scrum half to cover the absence, came into his own and took on the task. Rudd excelled in the responsibility, assisted by Carl Sice, who played outside the confines of his normal game, looking to bring runners in rather then go himself. With the game on a knife edge a three try salvo killed off the Thunder revival. First on 55 minutes Rudd's kick seemed to long but David Seeds chased hard and just managed to touch down before the ball when dead. Rudd added the extras. Then on 62 an exceptional break by Sice won a penalty for laying on and from the next set Marc Jackson bulldozed his way over, Rudd tacked on the two points. Rudd was again provider on 65 minutes, this time a high kick was gathered by Maden and he got his second score in the corner. Rudd missed the conversion. Thunder did get a consolation try for Neighbour on 69 minutes. Thorman missed the conversion. Referee: C.Halloran Attendance: 1300 That will do Sicely! Haven dominated the play at Barrow
with Carl Sice proving the fans' view that he is real try-getter.
Tries from Wilkes, Trindall and two each from Sice and Calvert.
Goals kicked by Duffy.Meanwhile...Haven to entertain French side Pia in third row tie over weekend of March 13.
Three front men downed in
Action
 This game saw abysmal playing conditions and the referee, Jamie Leahy, contriving to prevent either side getting into full flow. It was never a dirty encounter, not that you'd guess from looking at the penalty count, which finished 14-10 in Haven's favour, but Leahy seemed intent on strict discipline instead of letting the game flow. In the opening 20 minutes the scoreboard was never troubled, but Haven lost Lester and Howard Hill through injury, the latter returning in the second half after some treatment. Both sides were as committed as you'd expect in the most eagerly anticipated local derby for years, but for all the huff and puff there was little to get excited about. Even the sight of new signing Steve Trindall didn't have the home fans cheering for long as Dean Vaughan, a mainstay of the Haven pack for years before joining Town a season ago, sent him crashing to the canvass with a huge hit. Vaughan was one of a number of players in the visitor's line up who had been "let go" by Haven and they were all clearly intent on putting on a good show. The first real chance for some points came from on 24 minutes from one of that contingent, Lee Kiddie, who launched a high testing bomb for Steve Maden to deal with under a Town charge led by Lusi Sione. The Haven winger, playing in his first competitive game for the club, handled it superbly. Then on the half hour Graeme Mattinson, on a lot earlier than anticipated due to Lester's misfortune, made a superb run towards the visitors line but spilled the ball at the vital moment. But it wouldn't be long before the deadlock was broken, just four minutes in fact. Rob Jackson made a half beak and played a brilliant ball to Craig Calvert, who touched down in the corner. John Duffy's conversion attempt failed to leave the half time score at 4-0. That was the way it stayed for much of the second period, Kiddie was marshalling his troops well from the stand-off position without them ever really looking like getting back into the match. But Haven's expansive game was not suited to the conditions, and their pace out wide struggled to get any chance to make a clean break. It was time for the match winner to emerge and Gary Broadbent did just that, capping another fine all round performanc with an exceptional try to send the Kells End into raptures. Broadbent had a lot of work to do when he received the ball from Duffy on 59 minutes, but skipped through three tackles before touching down. This time Duffy landed the far simpler conversion and Haven were 10 points to the good. The only other incident of note was a good old fashioned scrap between Haven's Marc Jackson and Town debutant Shaun Lunt. Jackson spilled the ball under Lunt's challenge and then proceeded to give the former Castleford man a pasting, he was duly sent to the sin-bin but Lunt, who was also given 10 minutes to cool off, might have considered himself a little unfortunate. The hooter signalled the end of the game and a winning, if unconvincing start for Dave Rotheram, who said: "I loved it, it was a great atmosphere and a great crowd, it's just a shame that the game was not befitting of such a good attendance. "I think we dominated long periods of the game and defended well from start to finish, I always felt we were in control and the only time they looked like doing something was when we gave away stupid penalties. "It's a shame for Aaron, who is at the hospital having an x-ray, but if it is broken it gives Mattinson, who I thought was superb today, a chance to make the number nine jersey his own." Haven can take heart from a win against a spirited Town side, Oliver Wilkes showed up well and there were some touches of class from John Duffy, and although flyers like Maden, Calvert and Rob Jackson were never going to shine on a pitch like this they all defended well and did what they could going forward. For Town Alan McGuinness, Dean Vaughan and Taani Lavulavu were all huge in defence and Lusi Sione was a constant threat joining the line. On this evidence Workington will be major contenders in National League Two. Mattinson, Marc Jackson, Neil Baynes. Goal, Duffy 1/2 Sin Bin, Jackson (63) fighting. Lee Kiddie, Steven Kirkbride, Dean Vaughan, Shaun Lunt, Matt Tunstall, Dexter Miller, John Roper, Brett Smith. Subs (all used) Ryan Campbell, Waysal Sayman, Taani Lavulavu, Alan McGunniess. Lunt (63), fighting Progressive score 4-0, 10-0. Half time; 4-0.  Haven 36 - Wigan 10  February 4 2006
Great debut for new signings both from Leigh, Down Under and Home grown talent. Man of the Match was a talented move maker in form of John Duffy.
Duffy then drove through the middle of the Wigan defence and O'Neil converted. Coach Rotheram seems to inspired a more open and fluid game plan that bodes well and although youth orientated the Wigan team did feature nine first team players. Whitehaven: Broadbent, Calvert, Seeds, Eilbeck, Maden, Rudd, Duffy, Baynes, Lester, Fatialofa, Wilkes, Hill, Miller. Subs: Walsh, Sice, Mattinson, McAvoy, M Jackson, Joe, Deans, D Smith, O’Neil
Whitehaven RL car stickers Now just £1 each at Richardsons Wine and Gifts on Lowther Street.  Whitehaven RLFC have appointed St Helens Assistant Coach Dave Rotheram as their new Head Coach. The former London Broncos player and Assistant Coach has joined the club on a two year deal. The thirty seven year old was chosen from a short list of five applicants and the Board feel that Dave is the right man to take the club further forward. He has coaching experience at all levels and has worked alongside coaches like Tony Rea, Ian Millward and Daniel Anderson. Try our Haven new car stickers...
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