Whitehaven put up a remarkable effort at Halifax before going down 46-24.
They had gone into the game without a number of key players through injuries, and could only name three substitutes.
In the end, more injuries on the field, and a lack of options from the bench cost them dearly.
They had led 24-10 at half-time and were still in front going into the final quarter, but tired, over stretched bodies couldn’t see it through.
Halifax scored four tries in the last 15 minutes to take the lead and pull well clear.
It was a magnificent effort from Whitehaven in the face of adversity, but they may have paid the price for their efforts ahead of next week’s trip to Sheffield.
Haven had gone ahead after six minutes following a couple of penalties to gain position and Ryan King drove over. Connor Holliday converted.
Holliday almost increased the Haven lead but he just lost control of the ball as he was going over under a challenge.
The Panthers got level after 13 minutes when Joe Keyes, their man of the match at Workington last week, sliced through the Haven defence for a try which he converted.
Three minutes later Halifax got in again when Keyes dummied and broke to find Corey Aston with the ball moved wide for Joe Arundel to dive over in the corner.
Trailing 10-6, Haven fought back superbly to lead 24-10 by the break.
A penalty again provided the impetus and it was Nikau Williams who just did enough to get the ball down.
Ill discipline and basis errors didn’t help the Halifax cause in the first-half and then an interception deep in the Haven half provided the Cumbrians with a third try.
Dave Eccleston grabbed Aston’s cut-out pass and raced 90 metres for the try, again converted by Holliday.
Four minutes later Whitehaven were in again from long range when Holliday collected a palmed knock-down by former Haven winger Lachlan Walmsley. He immediately sent Williams haring away for his second try and Holliday improved again.
The Whitehaven defence was under a lot of pressure at the start of the second half but they hung in magnificently until the 58th minute when Ben Kavanagh charged over and Keyes converted.
On 62 minutes Halifax were within two points when Keyes threw a dummy and went himself for a fine try which he converted.
Haven were really feeling all their efforts catching up on them. What had been a very solid and well-organised defence was now leaving gaps and tired players were finding it difficult to stay focused and in the game.
Holliday disappeared down the tunnel after taking a knock and options were even less for substitutions.
It was really no surprise when Halifax took full advantage of Haven’s predicament and scored tries through Titus Gwaze, Ed Barber, Walmsley and Brandon Moore.
