Whitehaven conceded nine tries in a disappointing fade-out at Kingston Park where they lost 40-24 to Newcastle Thunder.
It had looked so positive at half-time when they 24-16 but they didn’t score a single point in the second-half when Thunder came back strongly to win with room to spare.
Jonty Gorley’s men had scored four tries in the first half, more than in their previous three games, but it was what happened after the turn round that counted.
It hadn’t taken long for them to break the deadlock with Australian forward Ryan King going over after only four minutes and fellow countryman Alex Bishop converted.
Five minutes later and Whitehaven doubled their lead. This time it was Tom Wilkinson who followed up a kick on last tackle to make the touchdown ahead of the Newcastle defence. Bishop converted.
Newcastle were slow into their stride but after 18 minutes they did reduce the arrears. Matty Nicholson used his strength to break through at pace and score.
Newcastle continued to force the pace and after 22 minutes they got over through Sam Halsall and four minutes later he was in again to level the scores.
What had been a great, positive start for Whitehaven, was turned completely round on 32 minutes when Craig Mullen thundered over for the hosts and a fourth unconverted try.
But Haven, who had started the half on top, were in command at the finish as two more tries put them in front at the break.
Bishop and Callum Phillips both got in for touchdowns and Bishop converted both.
There had been warnings, though, in the middle section of the half and they were intensified in the second-half as Newcastle scored five unanswered tries.
Eight minutes into the second half Halsall crossed for his hat-trick try and this time Mullen converted.
On the hour Newcastle were back in front with a try from Gideon Boafoa which was again converted by Mullen.
They had some breathing space on 67 minutes when Josh Eaves finished a fine move.
Two more tries in the last eight minutes from Mullen and Boafoa put the game beyond Whitehaven.
