Whitehaven produced a fine performance to earn their first away win of the season at York City Knights.
In a tight, competitive Championship clash Whitehaven squeezed home 14-12.
The Cumbrians had trailed 12-10 at the break after earlier establishing a 10-0 lead, and the only try of the second period on 67 minutes from Curtis Teare won the game.
Coach Jonty Gorley had been critical of his side’s performance last week in London, especially the first-half.
But he saw a different Haven on this occasion as they raced into a 10-0 lead inside the first 17 minutes.
Both tries came from Dan Spencer-Tonks with similar efforts – following up little grubber kicks near the line from Jamie Doran.
The first came on 12 minutes and the second arrived four minutes later with Sam Freeman improving the second.
The visitors held their lead until the last three minutes of the half when York grabbed two quick converted tries to go in at the break with the lead.
On 37 minutes Matty Marsh took a clever inside ball from Ata Hingano and raced through to score with Glover adding the extra.
Then a minute before the hooter they were in again through AJ Towse and James Glover gave them the lead with the kick.
Marsh thought he was over again on 57 minutes but the referee decided he hadn’t grounded the ball in a melee.
Haven decided to go for goal after a high shot on Dion Aiye earned a penalty but Freeman’s effort from 40 metres hit the post.
Whitehaven then had to do some stern defending, survived and then got on the scoreboard again when Teare finished off a good move by diving over in the corner.
Freeman’s kick was wide but the try had got them in front and they dug in superbly to keep out the Knights until the final hooter.
