New Look Haven Team Win the Ike Southward Trophy
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 .
