Whitehaven coach Jonty Gorley has ended his near three-year stint in charge by announcing he is leaving the club immediately.
He told the players before the game with Doncaster that he was ready to walk away – and they gave him a superb farewell present with a 28-24 win.
Gorley was not under contract this season, after being persuaded to carry on when he was ready to quit at the end of last season.
He said that he made his decision on Thursday over the latest developments at the club.
“The lads have been great, I’ve assembled a good squad but I just feel with what’s got on in the last few days I can’t stay.
“I just wouldn’t feel right being at the club. I am gutted but I have to think about myself and it’s time to go,” he said.
The club stays next-to-bottom and it was a vital win because the other sides in trouble had all won.
It was a dramatic victory, too. On the last play of the game Ryan King, playing at half-back, chipped a ball over the top and Jake Maizen won the chase to collect and go round the last man for the winning try. It didn’t matter that the kick was missed.
Doncaster had taken the lead on six minutes when Joe Lovodua threw a dummy and surged over from close range with Connor Robinson adding the conversion.
Four minutes later Whitehaven were level. Lachlan Hanneghan put up a high ball which wasn’t dealt with and the home half-back followed-up his own kick to score and add the conversion.
It was Whitehaven who gained the lead on 26 minutes when good hands opened up the Doncaster defence and went in for the try which Hanneghan converted.
Four minutes from half-time the visitors were level. Reece Lyne linked with Robinson and Pauli Pauli finished-off with the try. Robinson converted.
Doncaster then went back-to-back as Luke Briscoe went over in the corner and Robinson converted.
But right on the hooter Hanneghan made it 14-18 when he put over a penalty.
Two minutes into the second-half a high ball again caused Doncaster problems and Johnny Romeo finished off with the unconverted try which put Whitehaven level.
But Doncaster were in again on 53 minutes with Pauli Pauli causing more problems which eventually led to Briscoe finishing off with the try in the corner again. Robinson converted.
On 64 minutes Whitehaven were back on terms when they moved the ball smartly for Romeo to grab his second try. Hanneghan converted and it was all to play for.
It stayed that way to the final minute when a brilliant kick from King and a smart finish from Maizen gave Whitehaven the points.
Gorley said: “I’ve said it many times but despite all the turmoil and the problems they’ve had every time those lads go over the white line they give everything.
“Today, for the last half an hour we only had one substitute because of further injuries and that just shows what this team is capable of.
“I suppose it was a good way to finish, but I will still be gutted and Whitehaven will always have a part of my heart.”
