Castleford Tigers paraded their Super League stars at Whitehaven and came out on top 38-4 against a spirited home squad.
They led 18-0 at half-time and built on that before Haven got on the scoreboard in the last minute when trialist John Hutchings hacked on a loose ball and won the race to the touchdown.
But coach Jonty Gorley would get plenty out of the game as he gets his squad down to the final preparations for the opening Championship fixture at Bradford Bulls.
The opening try came in the 11th minute when Whitehaven lost the ball on their own line and Bureta Faraimo was on hand to dot down for the score. Jacob Hookem, who spent time on loan with Whitehaven last season, added the conversion.
Whitehaven almost immediately got back on terms but as he charged for the line Connor Holliday lost possession.
On 23 minutes Cas scored again when Jack Broadbent produced a clever step on halfway and raced away to touchdown. Hookem converted.
Whitehaven were having their moments and Marcus O’Brien couldn’t capitalise on a dropped ball near the visitors’ line.
On 31 minutes Cas scored again when a perfect kick from Hookem saw Alex Mellor quickest to react and get the touchdown. Hookem added the extras.
Whitehaven were hammering away before the interval but couldn’t get over, coming close when Dion Aiye’s clever kick through was collected by Cain Robb, the other Cas player who was on loan at Whitehaven last season.
Curtis Teare made an interception early in the second-half and looked as if he waa going clear but Broadbent got across to make an important tackle.
Minutes later Broadbent was celebrating after he got on the end of a flowing Castleford move to go over with Hookem converting.
On the hour Jake Mamo produced some electrifying pace to get on the end of a Mellor kick and score the fifth Castleford try.
The Super League outfit were starting to turn it on now and on 67 minutes they scored the best try of the game. Dan Smith, Robb and George Griffin were all involved before Faraimo dived in at the corner.
The visitors were over again after 73 minutes when a clever off-load from Smith put fellow forward George Lawler over for the try which Hookem converted.
There was just a minute on the clock when Whitehaven scored their deserved consolation try from Hutchings.
