Author: David Farrell

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Workington Town V Whitehaven Match Preview

Whitehaven RLFC — Latest Team News

Whitehaven come into the derby after a 42–20 loss at Barrow last weekend. Head coach James Newton confirmed:

  • The squad will undergo a couple of HIA assessments before finalising the team.
  • Rising winger Xenden Callander is expected to keep his place after strong recent performances.
  • Whitehaven’s previous matchday squad vs Barrow (23 Aug) shows the most recent available selection, including changes such as:
    • Jay Weatherill shifting to fullback
    • Jake Pearce moving from bench to front row
    • David Eccleston, Lewis Brown, Jackson Smith coming in
    • Jack Newbegin, Marc Shackley, Alfie Sinclair out (Shackley retiring today)

🔎 Likely Whitehaven core players today

Based on last week’s squad and Newton’s comments, the following players are strong candidates to feature:

  • Jay Weatherill
  • Xenden Callander
  • Ethan Bickerdike
  • Mitchell Todd
  • David Eccleston
  • Ciaran Walker
  • Ryan Johnston
  • Jake Pearce
  • Ellison Holgate
  • Brad Brennan
  • Connor Holliday
  • Ben Pearce
  • Jack Kellett
  • Bench options: Ellis Nixon, Lewis Brown, Jackson Smith

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Improving Haven Romp to Victory over Goole

Whitehaven 46–16 Goole Vikings Betfred Championship – 19 July 2026

Whitehaven completed a Championship double over Goole Vikings with an emphatic 46-16 victory at the Ortus REC, recording their fourth consecutive home win.

The hosts led 14-10 at half-time after tries from Rio McQuistan and Jay Weatherill, with Cieran Walker adding two conversions and a penalty. Goole stayed in touch through tries from Callum Shaw and Josh Guzdek, with one conversion from Miller.

Whitehaven took control immediately after the interval. Early second-half tries from Liam Williamson (41st minute) and Ellison Holgate (44th minute) stretched the lead, although Jeylan Hodgson responded for the Vikings shortly afterwards.

As the game progressed, Whitehaven’s superiority became increasingly evident. Further tries from Jay Weatherill, Ethan Bickerdike, and Ben Pearce sealed a convincing win, while Walker finished with an impressive individual points tally thanks to six conversions and three penalty goals.

Great team peformance from an improving Haven team Special mention to veteran prop Brad Brennan who played almost 70 minutes , Something that doesn’t happen very iften in the modern game

Key Points

  • Final Score: Whitehaven 46–16 Goole Vikings.
  • Half-time: Whitehaven 14–10 Goole Vikings.
  • Whitehaven scored seven tries in total.
  • The win moved Whitehaven into 10th place in the Championship table with six matches remaining.
  • Whitehaven scorers: Rio McQuistan, Jay Weatherill (2), Liam Williamson, Ellison Holgate, Ethan Bickerdike, Ben Pearce.

Goole Vikings scorers: Callum Shaw, Josh Guzdek and Jeylan Hodgson.

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Haven have to settle for 24 all Draw in an intense and ILL Tempered Clash

This clash was another yardstick for the young Haven Teams progress . After two defeats and with injuries list growing This game was going to be a test of the Depth in the squad  While the visitors  with an identical playing record to Haven may have seen this as a winnable game

Dewsbury started strong, scoring the first two tries, with Louis Collinson and Paul Sykes crossing the line. Whitehaven responded while Dewsbury was down to 12 players, with Cameron Brown and Mitchell Todd levelling the scores before halftime.

The second half saw Whitehaven take the lead through Connor Holliday, but Dewsbury quickly equalized with Will Shaw scoring from dummy-half. Dewsbury edged ahead again with Jamie Field scoring after good work by Dec Tomlinson, but Whitehaven struck back late, with Brown grabbing his second try of the afternoon.

The game had a dramatic finish, with Jack McShane sin-binned for a high tackle and Weatherill missing a penalty attempt that could have won it for Whitehaven. From the restart Haven took possession and drove to  the visitors line where Browns Field goal was deflected by a Rams player. Have once gain regained the ball and this time Tyrers one point attempt went wide as the hooter sounded for full time  Finals Score Haven 24 Dewsbury Rams 24 intense and ill-tempered game, featuring 24 penalties and three yellow cards.

A thrilling contest— Certainly in the second half as  both teams had chances to win, but a draw was probably a fair result. What did you think of the game?

WHITEHAVEN

5 Jay Weatherill

32 Mitchell Todd

3 Chris Taylor

4 Ethan Bickerdike

22 Max Anderson-Moore

6 Kieran Tyrer

20 Cameron Brown

18 Aaron Turnbull

9 Ellison Holgate

10 Jordan Thomson

11 Connor Holliday

21 Ellis Nixon

13 Jack Kellett

Subs

16 Brad Brennan

14 Luke Collins

17 Karl Garner

12 Clarke Chambers

Tries: Brown (35, 67), Todd (39), Holliday (45)

Goals: Weatherill 4/6

Sin bin: Bickerdike (50) – dangerous tackle

RAMS

30 Craig McShane

27 Tom Delaney

3 Caelum Jordan

4 George Senior

22 Liam Copland

26 Paul Sykes

7 Jacob Hookem

18 Jamie Field

31 Jack McShane

13 Dec Tomlinson

15 Keenen Tomlinson

12 Matt Garside

16 Louis Collinson

Subs

23 Will Shaw

10 Toby Everett

8 Jackson Walker

35 Jamie Gill

Tries: Collinson (12), Sykes (22), Shaw (51), Field (62)

Goals: Hookem 4/4

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Haven Run Riot in the Duchy of Cornwall

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

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Haven edge win against table topping Hornets

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