Whitehaven went down 22-14 to a Wigan Warriors side at the LEL Arena in what was an entertaining pre-season contest.
Wigan fielded a young side, made up of fringe first teamers from the reserves and the best of their Academy set-up.
Haven held an 8-0 lead at half-time but Wigan came back strongly to edge their hosts in a lively second-half.
The home side had got off to a great start with the opening try after only three minutes. They moved the ball well for Chris Taylor to go over in the corner for an unconverted try.
Both sides spent time on the opposition try line as play flowed from end to end, set for set and Connor Holliday was desperately close to scoring a second try for Haven.
But they did score again on 32 minutes when they moved the ball sweetly again and this time skipper Karl Dixon finished off with the unconverted try.
It was Wigan who ended the half on top but great defence and a forward pass from the visitors meant Whitehaven led 8-0 at the break.
Five minutes into the second half both sides were reduced to 12 men when Brazilian trialist Jorge Cabral and Logan Astley were yellow carded.
Immediately Wigan scored as Whitehaven were caught short of numbers on the left hand edge and Zach Eckersley put Jacob Douglas in at the corner. Eckersley converted.
On 55 minutes Wigan took the lead for the first time when a great break from Douglas sends the returning Astley in for the try when was not converted.
After Douglas and Astley are both held up short for Wigan, the Championship side hit back by regaining the lead.
Jamie Doran powered over for the try and Josh Rourke added the conversion to give them a 14-10 lead in the 65th minute.
The lead lasted six minutes for on 71 minutes Astley chipped over the home defence and followed up to get the touchdown.
Eckersley’s conversion put Wigan ahead by two points and in the 75th minute they clinched the win with a try from Alex Sutton under the posts. Eckersley converted.
