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West Cumbria bragging rights with Haven after season finale

The two teams came into this game with differing foryunes Workington had struugled in recent games with only one win in teyh last two months , Haven by comparison had lost only pnce since the beginning of july

It was the Town who started the stronger and physically tried to outmuscle the vsistors They opened the scoring after 14 minutes when Harrison Jewitt finished well out wide following a Whitehaven handling error. The missed conversion left Town ahead 4–0. But Haven had defended bravely in the early stages, and after the first quater the home side visibly faded from the game.

Whitehaven take control as Town Fade

Whitehaven’s pressure eventually told after a long spell of repeat sets:

• Jack Kellett stepped through to score (Walker goal) — 4–6
• Ellison Holgate glided through beside the posts — 4–12
• Mitchell Todd finished a sweeping move after Town lost the ball — 4–16
• Jay Weatherill slotted a field goal on the stroke of half-time — 4–17

Whitehaven’s kicking game, led by Ciaran Walker, repeatedly forced Town into drop-outs and kept the visitors on the front foot.

Second half: Haven extend their lead

Four minutes into the second half, Walker’s cross-field kick was claimed brilliantly by Jordan Burns, who finished wide on the right. Walker converted for 4–23.

Whitehaven briefly thought they had scored again through Brad Brennan, but the try was ruled out for obstruction. But then they posted a match winning lead as Etan Bickerdike scored a try which once again Cairan Walker converted .

Town fight back in vain

Workington rallied strongly: or with 10 minutes remaining did Haven put their cue on the rack /

• Harrison Jewitt grabbed his second try after a Jamie Doran kick — 8–23
• Jake Carter grounded Doran’s kick near the posts — 14–29
• Mason Lewthwaite broke through late to score — 20–29

Town showed real character in the final ten minutes, but Whitehaven’s earlier dominance proved decisive.

⭐ Gamestar

Jay Weatherill (Whitehaven) — influential throughout, recovering from an early knock to control the backfield, kick smartly, and add a crucial field goal. Jay Weatherill

💥 Gamebreaker

Jordan Burns’ try early in the second half, stretching the lead to 23–4 and putting Haven firmly in command. Jordan Burns breakdown

📋 Try Scorers

Workington Town

• Harrison Jewitt (2)
• Jake Carter
• Mason Lewthwaite

Whitehaven

• Jack Kellett
• Ellison Holgate
• Mitchell Todd
• Jordan Burns
• Etan Bickerdike
  • Jay Weatherill (field goal)

📈 What the result means

Workington Town

• 18th defeat of a tough season
• Showed late fight and resilience
• Issues with handling under pressure and defending repeat sets
• Next season rebuild focus likely on halves and edge defence Workington tactical review

Whitehaven

• Enter the play-offs with six wins in seven and with the promise they may well progress beypnd the first round
• Strong spine performance: Walker, Weatherill, Holgate
• Kicking game and repeat-set pressure were decisive

Whitehaven 34-12 Dewsbury Rams Match Report

Whitehaven strengthened their Betfred Championship position with a convincing 34-12 victory over Dewsbury Rams at the Ortus REC on Sunday afternoon. After taking a 14-0 lead into the break, Haven controlled much of the contest and ultimately ran in five tries to secure an important home win.

The hosts set the tone early and were rewarded with first-half tries from Brad Brennan and Ben Pearce, while accurate goal-kicking helped Whitehaven establish a commanding advantage. Dewsbury struggled to build sustained pressure during the opening 40 minuteas Haven built a 14-0. scoreline at the break

Whitehaven were unable to maintain that domminance after the restart. Dewsbury refused to fold and responded with tries from Tom Delaney and Bailey O’Connor, with O’Connor also landing both conversions. At that point Haven held a slender lead : could the Rams take the initiative away from Haven with the enxt score ?

This proved to be a turning point for HAven as they struck back with scored from Jay Weatherill, Ellison Holgate and Woody Walker all crossed the whitewash as the Cumbrians stretched their lead and kept the Rams on the back foot. Goal-kickers Ciaran Walker and Marc Shackley added the extras

The final whistle confirmed a 34-12 victory for Whitehaven, a result built on a strong first-half display and clinical finishing throughout the afternoon. Dewsbury’s late efforts provided some consolation, but the Rams were ultimately second best against a Whitehaven side that showed greater composure and attacking threat across the 80 minutes

This was a dramatic, seesaw Championship clash at the Crown Oil Arena, ending in a 24–22 win for Whitehaven. their fourth straigh win and futheer strengthening their play off credentials

🔥 Match Narrative

Whitehaven strike early

Whitehaven opened the scoring after just six minutes when Ciaran Walker pounced on a loose ball and converted his own try for 0–6. Moments later, Hornets’ Junior Sa’u was sin‑binned for retaliation, and Haven immediately capitalised:

• Ethan Bickerdike powered over for 0–12 (Walker goal).

Hornets fight back

Rochdale responded strongly:

• Max Flanagan dived over and converted (6–12).
• Confusion in the Haven half gifted Jay Weatherill a try (6–18).
• Lewis Hatton crashed over (12–18).
• Right on half-time, Jamie Dallimore burrowed over to mark his 250th career appearance with a try, making it 16–18.

Second half: momentum swings

Rochdale came out firing:

• Chris Barratt broke through to give Hornets their first lead of the day: 22–18.
• Sa’u almost extended the lead but lost the ball over the line.

Late drama — Haven steal it

With seven minutes left, Jack Kellett forced his way under the posts. Walker’s fourth straight conversion sealed the comeback: 22–24. Whitehaven held on through the final sets to secure their fourth straight win and hand Rochdale a seventh consecutive defeat.

⭐ Gamestar

Brad Brennan (Whitehaven) — relentless carries, constant problems for Rochdale’s middle.

💥 Gamebreaker

Kellett’s late try + Walker’s ice‑cold conversion.

📋 Try Scorers

Rochdale Hornets

• Max Flanagan
• Lewis Hatton
• Jamie Dallimore
• Chris Barratt

Whitehaven

• Ciaran Walker
• Ethan Bickerdike
• Jay Weatherill
• Jack Kellett

🧩 What this result means

Rochdale Hornets

• Seventh straight defeat
• Led 22–18 but couldn’t close it out
• Defensive lapses at key moments
• Next up: Sheffield Eagles

Whitehaven

• Four wins in a row
• Massive confidence boost
• Walker & Kellett forming a decisive late‑game partnership

Whitehaven continued their recent improved form with a close 18–16 victory But it maybe shouldn’t have been that way

Entering the final queater of the game Haven had built a comfortable 18 nil lead , only for Hunslet to launch a furious late comeback that fell just short.

🏉

🔵 First Half: Hunslet’s errors prove costly

Whitehaven struck first after 10 minutes when Ciaran Walker pounced on a short last‑tackle kick to score. Hunslet created chances but repeatedly let themselves down with handling errors — dropped passes, fumbled kicks, and missed opportunities inside the Whitehaven 20.

A penalty goal from Walker on 33 minutes extended the lead to 0–6, and Hunslet’s frustrations grew when multiple near-tries were ruled out or lost through mistakes. Just before the break, Whitehaven went down to 12 men after an illegal halt on a near-certain Hunslet try, but the Parksiders still couldn’t convert pressure into points.

Half-time: Hunslet 0–6 Whitehaven

⚪ Second Half: Whitehaven surge to 18–0

Hunslet started the second half poorly, fumbling possession while playing against 12 men. Whitehaven capitalised immediately:

• Jack Kellett stepped inside to score (44’), converted by Walker — 0–12.
• A booming drop-out, carried by the wind, travelled 90 metres and handed Whitehaven prime field position.
• Former Hunslet forward Brad Brennan crashed over on 60 minutes, Walker converting — 0–18.

At this point, Whitehaven looked comfortable and Hunslet looked beaten.

Hunslet’s late comeback: three tries in 15 minutes

With 20 minutes left, Hunslet finally woke up.

1. Harrison Gilmore latched onto a Lee Gaskell kick to score (63’). Abram converted — 6–18.
2. Gilmore repeated the exact same move minutes later — 12–18.
3. Charlie Graham broke down the right edge to score (72’), but Abram couldn’t convert — 16–18.

Hunslet were suddenly dominant, twice held up over the line, and Whitehaven were hanging on.

Final Twist: The missed penalty after the hooter

With seconds remaining, Whitehaven’s Ben Pearce was penalised for a high tackle. Hunslet opted for the kick to level the game.

But in strong wind, the ball twice blew off the tee. Lee Gaskell reset, struck it… and pushed it wide.

So Haven held on for a dramatic 18–16 win but only Just ! They now sit 9th in the standings as they enter the last month of fixtures , Can they maintain that form and secure aplay off place ?

⭐ Key Performers

• Ciaran Walker (Whitehaven) — Try + reliable game management in tough conditions.
• Brad Brennan (Whitehaven) — Game‑star forward, powerful carries, crucial try.

🏉Looking for their first win since May Whitehaven travelled to Cougar park to take on Keighley Cougars who they defeated at the Recreation ground earlier in the campaign After an encouraging first half They faded in the second period as the hosts clinched a26–14 win over Whitehaven today:

🔥 First-Half Honours Even

• Junior Nuu opened the scoring on 12 minutes after a lucky deflection
• Junior Sa’u followed up with a second try just five minutes later.
• Whitehaven bounced back with two late tries from Jay Weatherill, tying it 10–10 at halftime.

💪 Second-Half Surge by Cougars leaves Haven adrift

• Keighley repeatedly attacked Whitehaven’s right edge, where defensive lapses allowed them to break through multiple times.
• Brad Holroyd restored Keighley’s lead with a well-worked try on 53 minutes.
• Then came the game-changer: Brad England powered through for two tries in quick succession, turning a tight game into a comfortable lead.
• Whitehaven managed a late consolation try from Max Anderson-Moore, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap.
• Final Score Keighley 26 Whitehaven 10
• Abram
• Weatherill
• Todd
• Hartley
• Anderson-Moore
• Bickerdike
• Lowe
• Thomson
• Holgate
• Pearce
• Holliday
• McQuistan
• Kellett
• Interchanges:  Garner, Blinkhorn, Brennan & Turnbull

The Haven travelled to the Midlands for their second game with the Hurricanes in 2025 After losing in the 1895 cup there in February ,Havens upturn in recent weeks  results suggested the outcome this time just might be different

Indeed the first 10 minutes of the game  Haven dominated possession ,taking the game to Hurricanes and it was no more than they deserved when Skipper Kellett went over for a try converted by Jay Wetherill as Haven led 6 nil .

The home side came more inro the game after that to score two converted trys but with half time beckoning Jay Wetherill slotted a goal to make the half time score  12pts to 8 to the  Hurricanes  . However the Haven were very much in the game ,  and had everything to play for after the break

The second half however was a different matter , On Havens first possession on the half they gave the ball away which allowed the home team to  attack the Haven line and score through Willis . This set the pattern for the rest of the clash as the home team took advantage of a series of Haven mistakes to score four more try  plus two goals as the Hurricanes delivered a dominant second half display  Whitehaven, securing a 38-8 victory.

Coach Murray was disappointed with the Second half display highlighting goal line defence as an area needing improvement . He said “No complaints Midlands were better than us …..Second half we did nothing  ……. Credit to them “

SO after todays results Haven stand 6^th in League 1  with 9 points having completed the first half of rounds .better than expected at the start of the campaign and showing promise for the second half of the campaign

WHITEHAVEN
5 Jay Weatherill
2 Mitchell Todd
23 Tom Farren
4 Ethan Bickerdike
22 Max Anderson-Moore
28 Cameron Brown
7 Jack Newbegin
8 Jake Pearce
9 Ellison Holgate
32 Daniel Spencer-Tonks
11 Connor Holliday
19 Rio McQuistan
13 Jack Kellett
Subs (all used)
14 Luke Collins
21 Ellis Nixon
12 Clarke Chambers
16 Brad Brennan

Tries: Kellett (9)
Goals: Weatherill 2/2

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 6-6, 12-6, 12-8; 16-8, 20-8, 26-8, 32-8, 38-8

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Hurricanes: Sully Medforth; Whitehaven: Tom Farren

Penalty count: 8-5
Half-time: 12-8
Referee: Aaryn Belafonte
Attendance: 250

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