After trading blow for blow with Widnes Vikings for an hour Whitehaven were beaten 36-28 in their latest Championship fixture.
It had been all square 16-16 at half-time and the two sides were still locked together at 22-22 after 51 minutes.
But it was Widnes who pulled away and by the time Guy Graham crossed for the final try of the game just on the hooter, Whitehaven had fallen too far behind.
The Cumbrians had made the worst possible start, conceding a try in the first minute as Joe Edge burrowed his way over. Kieran Dixon converted.
But there was a great response from Jonty Gorley’s men and on six minutes they were level. Lucas Castle managed to twist and turn out of tackles to get the ball down and Josh Rourke added the conversion.
Widnes Edged back in front again on 20 minutes. This time Edge diummied his way through the Haven defence to score by the posts and again Dixon converted.
Four minutes later Widnes scored again. Edge was the creator this time, sending Ollie Brookes over in the corner for an unconverted try.
Whitehaven reduced the arrears on 28n minutes when Dion Aiye made substantial ground before Dave Eccleston was presented with a running chance out wide which he accepted. Rourke converted.
Then right on half-time Haven broke the length of the field for Eccleston to grab his second and the sides turned round all square.
Six minutes into the second-half Widnes were in the lead again when Owen Farnworth charged over from close range. Dixon converted.
But Haven struck back five minutes later as Ryan King barged over and Rourke’s conversion made it 22-22.
Gradually Widnes began to ramp up the pressure and on the hour Shane Grady barged over for the try which Dixon improved.
Crucially they scored next again four minutes later with a try from Ollie Davies who had scooped up a fumbled grubber kick to get the ball down. Dixon converted and three minutes from time he booted a penalty.
It was just a statistical note when Graham scored on 80 minutes and Rourke converted as it was too late to affect the result.
