Whitehaven went down 26-16 at home to Toulouse Olympique and must wait to see how their relegation rivals get on tomorrow.
It’s likely to go down to points differential and Whitehaven are currently in the final relegation position above Newcastle Thunder.
But Keighley and Swinton are only five points better off on the scoring differential – both on minus 323 against Whitehaven’s minus 328.
Both would be safe if they win tomorrow – Swinton at Halifax and Keighley at London Broncos – but if just one of them loses by more than five points Whitehaven will be safe.
Certainly Jonty Gorley’s side gave it their best shot to upset a Toulouse side who have finished second in the Championship table.
It was a gutsy and committed performance from Haven at the LEL Arena, appreciated by the home fans.
The French side had taken the early lead with a try from Dimitri Biscarro which Zac Santo converted and then Olly Ashall-Bott raced 90 metres for the second try after Haven had given the ball away when in a good position on attack.
Back came Whitehaven and were rewarded for their efforts when Jamie Doran cut back inside to score a well-taken try which Josh Rourke converted.
But the visitors showed their class by scoring two tries before the break through Santo and Callum Gahan, and with both converted Haven were looking at a 22-6 score-line as they heard Gorley’s half-time assessment.
Whatever was said there was a desired effect as Whitehaven responded superbly and won the second-half 10-4.
Curtis Teare got over in the corner and when Karl Dixon also scored a try near the flag Haven had come back to within eight points as both conversion attempts from wide-out had been missed.
It became a six-point game when Rourke put over a penalty and it was disappointing that Toulouse scored the final try of the game from Santo, but it went unconverted.
Now all that Haven can do is watch what happens at Halifax and London tomorrow – rooting for home victories.
