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
