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On their first ever trip to the Duchy  Whitehaven RL carried on their impressive form of late . Almost from the start it was one way traffic from Haven scoring 14 trys and kicking 11 goals

Early Dominance: Whitehaven took control early in the game, scoring multiple tries within the first 20 minutes, setting the tone for their dominant performance .

Defensive Strength: Whitehaven’s tackling  was particularly strong, preventing Cornwall from making significant progress and limiting their scoring opportunities

Second Half Surge: Whitehaven continued their aggressive play in the second half, adding several more tries to their tally and widening the gap further

Cornwall’s Lone Try: Cornwall managed to score a single try, showing some resilience despite the overwhelming pressure from Whitehaven

Haven played well as a team but standout included

Jordan Burns: The Whitehaven captain and fullback scored four tries and successfully converted three goals

Mason Lewthwaite: A second-row player who also scored four tries, showcasing his strength and agility .

Jay Weatherill: Contributed significantly with his playmaking skills and scored a try .

Ethan Bickerdike: Scored two tries, adding to Whitehaven’s dominant performance

Jordan Burns , Jay Wetherill Mitchell Todd Ethan Bickerdike , , Harry Hadfield , Cam Brown , Jack Newbegin , Jordan Thompson , Lewis Collins Jake Pearce ,Connor Holliday , Mason Lewthwaite  , Jack Kellett , Subs Aaron Turnbull , Ellison Holgate , Brad Brennan Ellis Nixon  Josh Blinkhorn

The new look Haven squad have made big strides in the early part of the season However this game was to be their most searching  test of the season against table topping Rochdale hornets So it proved to be as this clash was filled with exciting moments and ultimately an unexpected . Here are some of the key highlights:

Early Dominance by Whitehaven: Whitehaven took control early in the game, scoring three tries within the first half-hour. Jake Pearce, Cameron Brown, and Connor Holliday each crossed the line to give Whitehaven a deserved 18-0 lead with half time beckoning .

Rochdale’s Comeback: Despite Whitehaven’s early dominance, Rochdale fought back with two tries before halftime. Duane Straugheir and Myles Harrop scored to reduce the deficit to 18-8 at the half time break :;making it a competitive game1.

Second Half See-Saw: The second half saw both teams having periods of dominance. Whitehaven extended their lead with a penalty goal, but Rochdale responded with a try from Max Flanagan and Greg McNally , bringing the score closer1.

Crucial Try by Ellison Holgate: In the final moments, Ellison Holgate scored a vital try for Whitehaven, which proved to be decisive. Despite Rochdale’s efforts to snatch a draw, Whitehaven held on to secure the win  that their play deserved

Dramatic Finish: The game ended in dramatic fashion with Rochdale’s Dan Nixon knocking on after the hooter, ending their hopes of a comeback and confirming a narrow but deserved win for Haven 20-14

A thrilling match and a great advert for League 1  with both teams showing great skill and determination

Jordan Burns , Mitchell Todd Ethan Bickerdike , Chris Taylor , Jay Weatherill  , Cam Brown , Jack Newbegin , Jordan Thompson , Lewis Collins Jake Pearce ,Connor Holliday , Rio Mc Quiston , Jack Kellett , Subs Aaron Turnbull , Ellison Holgate , Brad Brennan Tom McKinney  Mason Lewthwaite

Haven travelled to South Manchester buoyed by their performance agains Warrington Wolves and including three new faces in loanee Tom McKinney NEW signing Cameron Brown and ex Barrow winger Max Anderson-Moore

The home side started well and on 6 minutes they broke down the left and fed the ball inside to the supporting Jordan Paga who touched down by the posts conversion was good . Haven came into it more after the opener and the strong wind was causing problems with the defenders as they tried to control the ball. Haven came into the game after that first 15 minutes and they opened their account when Ethan Bickerdike crossed on the right, but Kieran Tyrer was unable to add the conversion. Both sides then had chances at the line but handing let them down in the difficult conditions. The Lions went back in the lead twelve minutes from the break when a superb, angled run by Harry Higham saw the centre cut inside to race in under the posts and Abram added the conversion. . The half finished with both sides again having good chances but this time defences were on top The score at the hooter Swinton 12 Haven 4
It was Haven who made the good start in the second half and went close in the opening minutes but a knock on stopped them scoring but they did capitalise in the end when Aaron Turnbull took a couple of defenders with him to score by the posts and Tyrer converted this one. After that Haven dominated matters and created two clear cut scoring opportunities .

On 59 minutes Jack Newbigin made a good break on the right and with the line begging he held onto the ball rather than passing to supporting players . They then bombed a try on the left when Jordan Burns lost control of the ball going for the corner. The game could have gone either way and the defences were being tested but holding out well. One high kick by Haven caused major problems for the Lions defence as it was swirling and bouncing all over the place but in the end, Abram got it under control and cleared his line. The match winner for the Lions came with just under two minutes left when Abram put a high ball towards the line, and it was fumbled by a Haven defender and Higham was first to react to collect the ball and dive over on the right, but Abram was unable to convert, and the defences held out for the dying seconds.

Final Score Swinton Lions 16 Haven 10

Great effort and commitment from the Haven , their squad is coming together nicely , Was this our best squad ? I think so, with Keighley next up at the Recre there is definitely more to come

WHITEHAVEN

1 Jordan Burns 2 Mitchell Todd 3 Chris Taylor 4 Ethan Bickerdike 22 Max Anderson-Moore 6 Kieran Tyrer 26 Jack Newbegin
8 Jake Pearce 9 Ellison Holgate 10 Jordan Thomson 11 Connor Holliday 19 Rio McQuistan 13 Jack Kellett

Subs (all used) 14 Cameron Brown 17 Thomas McKinney 18 Aaron Turnbull 16 Brad Brennan Tries: Bickerdike (15), Turnbull 48) Goals: Tyrer 1/2

This third round Challenge Cup tie was another test in the short history of this new look Haven squad , A win was never a realistic outcome to this tie . The question was how would Havens young guns shape up to their full time Super league Opponents . The ties played on Friday suggested a cricket score might be the outcome !

With four games played so far the Haven 17 man squad that was named for this game was probably their best combination while the Wolves if not at full strength had a good sprinkling of regular Super league players in their line up .

The team took to the field in a packed Ortus Recreation ground , 3980 being the official attendance

Much as expected it was the visitors who dominated the first quarter , Hooker Danny Walker got the Wolves first try of the day and went on to get another just before the break . Other trys for visitors came from Olli Leyland and winger Jake Thewlis and with three conversions the score at the interval wa Haven nil Warrington Wolves 22 . Though that scoreline does not reflect the efforts the Haven team put in especially in defence .

The second stanza continued with the Wolves adding to trys to extend their lead to 32 points . However on 59 mins the crowd were on their feet as Havens Jay Wetherill score maybe the games best try . With Haven in possession on the Halfway line Wolves overcommit on defence allowing Ethan Bickerdike to slip the ball to supporting Jordan Burns who sprints 40 yards and feeds Jay Wetherill for amazing try Goal missed Whitehaven 4 Warrington Wolves 32 but it was seventh heaven for the Haven fans

The Wolves continued to press forward and in the last 10 minutes added two more converted trys to make the final score Whitehaven 4 Warrington Wolves 44 . Not the rout some had predicted and a game which the young Haven squad will have learned a lot from and one where they can bask in the praise they deserve , while the club itself will have boosted its finances on the back of an almost four thousand gate

Onto the League 1 campaign at Swinton in a fortnight ,.

MIDLANDS Hurricanes put on a classy performance, for the first hour at least, to ease past Whitehaven and go through to the second round of the 1895 Cup.

After two good wins in the last fortnight the Haven could feel optimistic ahead of the tie however Coach Anthonly Murray opted for numerous changes in the Haven line up the outcome of this Cup tie was always in question .

The Home team led from the second minute of the match. After kicking a high bomb on the final tackle of their first set, the ball was spilled and from the scrum, Travis Corion dived over in the corner. Jake Sweeting converted well, as he would for eight of the Hurricanes’ nine tries in all including Matty Hanley’s first, picking up a pin-perfect Sweeting tip to run over unchallenged, soon after. Whitehaven got on the board on 16 minutes. A good set of passes ended with Ellis Nixon running over, and Kieran Tyrer converted to halve the deficit. On 22 minutes, it was 18-6. From a penalty, Midlands again played a strong set and Tom Wilkinson found a gap to run through for his side’s third try. Their fourth came just after the half-hour mark. Winning a second set thanks to a Haven knock-on, Midlands worked their way up from halfway culminating in Ross Oakes diving over in the corner. Before half-time they had a fifth try. Ethan Bickerdike tripped as he looked to pick up a long kick, resulting in a goal-line drop-out, and from that set Hanley finished off a good passing move. Sweeting couldn’t land a difficult kick – his only miss – but Midlands were 28-6 up at the break. Less than three minutes into the second half, Midlands again played an excellent move to score. Hanley caught the ball from a high bomb, offloading to Sweeting who happily grounded and converted. Whitehaven had spent less than five minutes with the ball in Midlands’ half during the first 40 minutes and even when they looked dangerous in the first 20 minutes of the second period, they wasted their chances. From a good-looking Whitehaven attack, Oakes intercepted and ran the first 40 metres to set up Midlands’ next try. He passed to Hanley who completed the other 50 metres. Then it happened again. This time it was Todd Horner who intercepted on his own ten-metre line, sprinting the full length himself and scoring under the sticks. Oakes was the next to score, grounding in the corner for his second of the game to bring up the half-century of points. Horner looked for a further try, which would have been Midlands’ tenth, but he dropped the ball as he tried desperately to get through the last line of defence. After that, it was all Whitehaven. Brad Brennan scored the first of their revival, converted by Jay Weatherill who then scored one of his own as Whitehaven put on their best move of the match to break open the tiring home defence. And to finish, Mason Lewthwaite picked up a grubber to score and Weatherill again converted.

GAMESTAR: Ross Oakes scored a couple of good tries, created another and ran hard for Whitehaven Jay Wtherill

GAMEBREAKER: Two tries in the first ten minutes of the second half gave Midlands a lead that was too much for Whitehaven.

WHITEHAVEN 4 Ethan Bickerdike 1 Aaron Burns 3 Scott Egan 2 Mitchell Todd 5 Jay Weatherill 6 Kieran Tyrer 26 Jack Newbegin 16 Brad Brennan 14 Luke Collins 17 Karl Garner 15 Mason Lewthwaite 21 Ellis Nixon 13 Jack Kellett Subs (all used) 24 Josh Blinkhorn 12 Clarke Chambers 23 Tom Farren 18 Aaron Turnbull Tries: Nixon (16), Brennan (68), Weatherill (71), Lewthwaite (77) Goals: Tyrer 1/1, Weatherill 3/3

After their Ike Southward win the previous week Havens new look squad welcomed Swinton Lions to the Ortus Recre for this 2nd round Challenge cup tie . On paper a tough assignment for the Haven young guns .

The Haven took the field with what was their strongest line up though missing Ellison Holgate , out with illness , his place was take by Aussie Luke Collins

The visitors started the brighter of the two teams and dominated most of the first half , Haven hardly troubled the visitors defence and frustration boiled over on the half hour after a scuffle between Whitehaven’s Jack Kellett and Swinton’s Reece Briers saw both being sent to the sin bin . At the half however Swinton Lions were good value for their 12-0 lead at halftime, with both tries scored by Aaron Lynch

The break saw Haven introduce Millom based hooker Josh Blinkhorn Could the Haven turn it round . Whitehaven slowly worked their way back into the game and started to apply pressure on the visitors line . On 53 mins Josh Blinkhorn justified his introduction with a cheeky try then 5 mins later good passing put Mitchell Todd in for a try at the corner flag , On 63 mins Tyrer put over a penalty to level the scores at 12 all . The belief in the Haven team was palpable and when Swinton lost the ball on their 20 metre line Mason Lewthwaite collected and sprinted over under the post to score a try which Tyrer converted with less than 10 mins Haven were 18-12 up , Could they hold on for a deserved win ? You bet ! with the game almost Jack Kellett, who is fast becoming Havens talisman , put in a surging run from 30 metres to touchdown and with Tyrer Converting ,made the final score Haven 24 Swinton 12

No less that this enthusiastic Haven squad deserved Whitehaven’s much improved display in the second half and a late surge secured their victory and a spot in the next round of the Challenge Cup when they will welcome super league giants big boys Warrington Wolves

With both Haven and Town having a busy off season this clash was eagerly anticipated . Both clubs recruiting heavily it was the first chance to gauge the relative merits of both squads.Havens new look squad of CARL based players while the move of a number of experienced players from the Recre to Derwent Park , not unexpectedly the bookmakers odds favoured Town . So with 1754 spectators in attendance the game kicked off with under a gey cloudy sky but with no rain or wind to spoil matters.

Haven started positively and took play to the Town line ,who having taken possession of the ball promptly lost it allowing Havens Keiran Tyrer to pick up and touchdown by the posts, He converted to make it Haven 6 Town 0 after only 4 mins . Haven continued to dominate field position with prop Jordan Thompson leading the way .

However the visitors came more into game as the game entered the second quarter and Town produced the best play of the game with a combination of slick passing and good support play finding gaps on the Haven left to score a converted try from Archer , Haven 6 Town 6

Then indiscipline play from Town as they conceded a series of penalties that gave Haven a good attacking position at the Railway end , where Centre Chris Taylor deft pass put trialist Mitchell Todd over for a well taken try in the right corned Haven 10 Town 6 and that was the score as the half time hooter sounded

Town started the second stanza strongly and took the lead with a converted try from Bradley on 56 mins/ However Haven only came back more determined . It was more Town indiscipline on 64 mins Tyrer converted a penalty to level the score at Haven 12 Town 12 .

With time running out and the game there for the taking it was the fledgling Haven side that showes more discipline a and determination . With veteran prop Brad Brennan leading the way the young Haven pack following his lead . On 67 mins Haven put pressure on the visitors line at the Kells end as Newbegin went close . Only to set up Brennan to force his way over for a try converted by Tyrer Haven 18 Town 12 .

With over 10 minutes remaining the Haven youngsters saw this one home to gain a maybe unexpected but thoroughly deserved win as Whitehaven won back the Ike Southward Trophy . Sponsors Man of the match was given to Keiron Tyrer though there were a number of Haven players who could have taken the accolade.

Thoughts now turn to next Saturdays Challenge Cup tie against Swinton , A game that offers the reward of a 3rd round home tie v Super League Warrington Wolves ; a tie that this young Haven team will look forward too after todays encouraging display .

The new season kicks of for the Whitehaven RLFC this Sunday as they travel to Craven Park to take on Barrow Raiders in a Pre Season Friendly .The 2025 Whitehaven Rugby League FC squad has seen a significant overhaul compared to the 2024 squad. Here are some key differences:

New Recruits for 2025:

• Jordan Burns (Fullback)
• Henry Hadfield (Winger)
• Ethan Bickerdike (Centre)
• Jay Weatherill (Winger)
• Kieran Tyrer (Stand-off)
• Jack Newbegin (Scrum-half)
• Jake Pearce (Prop)
• Ellison Holgate (Hooker)
• Jordan Thomson (Prop)
• Connor Holliday (Second-row)
• Clarke Chambers (Second-row)
• Jack Kellet (Loose forward)
• Luke Collins (Prop)
• Mason Lewthwaite (Second-row)
• Brad Brennan (Prop)
• Karl Garner (Second-row)
• Aaron Turnbull (Centre)
• Rio McQuistan (Winger)
• Connor Saunders (Fullback)
• Ellis Nixon (Hooker)
• Max Moore (Stand-off)
• Tom Farren (Scrum-half)
• Kian McPherson (Centre)
• Josh Blinkhorn (Winger)

Players from 2024 who are no longer at the club :

• Edene Gebbie (Fullback)
• Jake Maizen (Winger)
• Joey Romeo (Centre)
• Will Evans (Centre)
• Curtis Teare (Winger)
• Jamie Doran (Stand-off)
• Lachlan Hanneghan (Scrum-half)
• Lucas Castle (Prop)
• Callum Phillips (Hooker)
• Guy Graham (Prop)
• Ryan King (Second-row)
• Connor Holliday (Second-row)
• Dion Aiye (Loose forward)
• Jake Carter (Stand-off)
• James Newton (Prop)
• Ross Ainley (Second-row)
• Perry Singleton (Second-row)
• Marcus O’Brien (Prop)
• Owen McCarron (Prop)
• Rio Corkill (Winger)
• Oscar Doran (Centre)
• Evan Lawther (Winger)
• Dalton Desmond-Walker (Prop) 123

Comparison:

• International Experience: The 2024 squad had a strong international presence with players like Edene Gebbie from Papua New Guinea, and several players from Italy and Australia. The 2025 squad seems to focus more on local talent and younger players.
• Key Departures: Notable players like Edene Gebbie, Jake Maizen, and Joey Romeo are not listed in the 2025 squad, indicating a shift in team dynamics.
• New Talent: The 2025 squad has introduced many new faces, which could bring fresh energy and potential to the team. This includes promising young players like Jordan Burns and Kieran Tyrer.

Overall, the 2025 squad appears to be a mix of youth and experience, aiming to build a strong foundation for the future. Are there any specific players you’re excited to see in action this season?

In what has been one of the most dramatic weeks in the 76 year history of Whitehaven RLFC the team produced the boost all were in need of as they won by 18 pts to 10 against all odds .

New boss Kyle Amor had worked a miracle just getting a team to travel after the playing and coaching staff had in mid week refused to play due to differences with the Clubs directors .

Haven had only 14 players available and the Rams must have been fancying their chances to gain only their second win of the campaign . No surprise therefore the early play saw the home side pressure the Haven line without success as they made a string of unforced errors . As a result Haven grew in confidence an started to use the strong wind at their back and applying pressure to the Rams line .Lacchy Hannegan went over on 22 mins for an unconverted try , 4 nil Haven . Three minutes later Haven were over again with a Owen McCarron try converted by Hannegan 10 Nil Haven . On 36 Mins the Rams messed up a kick and Walsh collected for Haven to touch down Hannegan adds extras and Haven are in commend of this game with a 16 nil lead .

The home team were struggling and on the 39th mInute their task became much more difficult as Dale Ferguson was red carded for a high shot on a Haven player , So at the half time hooter it was Haven in the ascendency with a 16 point advantage and a player advantage . Coach Kyle Amor mjust have been pleased with that 40 mins from his team

The second half started as expected with Rams taking the game to Haven and after 52 mins they were on the score sheet with an unconverted try Rams 4 Haven 16 . More pressure from the Rams but the next score was a penalty from Hannegan to extend Havens lead to two scores 18 – 4 ,

Haven used their subs wisely in the last quarter and the Rams scores a converted try on 72 mins a determined but tyring Haven defence would not yield and the final hooter was greeted with scenes of noisy celebrations from players and fans alike as Haven gained a well deserved win 18 pts to 10 and very much keep alive their push avoid relegation