Whitehaven 8, Leigh 12

Before the match all the talk was of Whitehaven’s relegation plight and a proposed pay-cut for the players.

Afterwards, though, there was applause for how the Haven players had responded with their best performance of the season, and how they might have been denied a vital win by an official’s error.

If the money is being cut the players gave no hint and produced a thoroughly professional performance, more in keeping with their displays before this current campaign.

It has since emerged that the club will appeal to the RFL over the controversial moment when Leigh had an extra player on the pitch.

Haven were leading narrowly 8-6 when Kiwi star Robbie Paul scored a converted try for Leigh and home coach Ged Stokes claimed the visitors had 14 players on the field in the build-up to the score.

“Wee lost the ball that led to a scrum that led to the winning try for Leigh – and they had 14 men on the field,” claimed Stokes.

Former Whitehaven scrum-half John Duffy was the 14th man involved and the confusion arose because the fourth official was not notified correctly that he was joining the game.

Duffy was involved in the tackle that prompted the scrum that led to Paul’s decisive score.

Duffy was red-carded when match commissioner Jackie Beech managed to communicate with referee Craig Halloran and explain what had gone on. Stokes had been the one who alerted the match commissioner.

Leigh coach Ian Millward saw it differently – “There is just no question that we cheated. It didn’t happen like that. It was quite bizarre but the player was coming off the field and not involved in the play.”

The game itself was a splendid advertisement for the game and the absentee Haven fans would have enjoyed the hunger, passion and commitment shown by their favourites to run second-in-the-table Leigh so close. They earned a bonus point but it could have been much more.

Mind you it hadn’t started well for the west Cumbrians as they went behind on six minutes. Martyn Ridyard powered through impressively to score the opening try which Mick Nanyn. Another former Haven favourite, converted.
In previous matches that would have been the signal to capitulate but they responded positively – defending very solidly and starting to pose their own problems fo Leigh.

On 19 minutes Haven reduced he deficit. The impressive prop, loanee Paul Johnson swept onto Carl Rudd’s pass and surged through Stuart Donlan’s tackle to score. Rudd couldn’t convert.

But Rudd did find his range to kick two penalties before half-time and sent the Cumbrians into the break 8-6 to the good.

Kyle Amor almost go away early in the second-half but lipped at a crucial moment and really after hat it was Leigh who dominated possession and territory.

But Haven, finding new resolve, were magnificent in defence and the only score of the half was the controversial one on the hour when Paul went over and Nanyn added the conversion.

Whether they win their appeal or not, this was very much better from Haven who can start to move up with table with similar performances.

STAR MAN – PAUL JOHNSON – Outstanding with his hard work, powerful running and committed defence. Quickly made himself a Recreation Ground favourite.

Haven: Veivers, Eilbeck, R. Jackson, Tony, Calvert, Rudd, Skee, Thornley, Mattinson, Johnson, S. Miller, Hill, Joe. Subs (all used) Smith, Amor, Shackley, Barker.

Referee: Craig Halloran

Crowd: 1,161

MAL WALKER was representing getnoticedonline.co.uk at the Recreation Ground and he came up with the shots as depicted in the report - Paul Johnson scoring the Whitehaven try; new boy Motu Tony being tackled and Graham Mattinson running into a Leigh reception committee.

Mal's prints can can be bought at £25 for an A4 framed and £40 for an A3 framed. Prints only are £10 A4 and £15 A3. 

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