Whitehaven put up a gritty performance in defeat as they went down 28-24 to Featherstone Rovers at the Ortus REC.
It was an improved effort by Haven on their last home performance and they always looked capable of matching their high-flying visitors.
It had been a strong start by the visitors, however, when Connor Wynne got on the end of a kick from Connor Jones to make the touchdown.
But it did not take long for Haven to get back on terms. On seven minutes the ball was worked wide where there was room for Joey Romey to get over in the corner.
Again the game swung Featherstone’s way when Wynne made the corner for his second try and this time Louis Gorman converted.
It looked as though the visitors were going to take control on 16 minutes when Fev scored again. This time it was Greg Minikin who jumped on a loose ball to claim the try which Gorman converted.
But back came the Cumbrians and on 20 minutes they had reduced the arrears with a converted try. Owen McCarron ran a great line to go over under the sticks and Jake Carter landed the extras.
Such was the nature of the game it was Featherstone who were next to score on 28 minutes. Danny Addy drove over and again Gorman converted for a 20-10 lead.
The game was back on a knife-edge three minutes before the break when Romeo scored his second try, which Carter converted – and at half-time it was a four point game.
There were still just four points in it at the end of a tough, hard-fought second-half when both sides added eight points to their totals.
Addy barged over for his second try, converted by Gorman who also added a penalty.
Curtis Teare and Will Evans both scored unconverted tries for Haven who could count themselves unfortunate to miss out on Championship points.
