Whitehaven suffered their worst defeat of the season when they were hammered 56-6 at Featherstone against Goole Vikings.
To make matters worse, the West Cumbrians only had one fit substitute by the end a week ahead of their eagerly waited derby clash at home to Workington Town.
It was virtually over as a contest by the 20-minute mark with the Vikings 24-0 to the good and cruising against a Whitehaven side whose defending was particularly feeble.
Goole had extended their lead to 30-0 by half-time and although Haven were first to score after the resumption there was never any hope that it would spark a revival.
Jay Weatherill had kicked early to wrong foot the Goole defence and when Reece Dean completely missed the ball the Haven full-back was able to follow up and touchdown. On loan Dan Abram added the conversion.
But it was soon business as usual for Goole as they ran in five more tries with three players completing hat-tricks in what finished as an 11-try haul.
Hooker Ellison Holgate was singled out as Whitehaven’s best player but there were very few team-mates to earn praise for their efforts.
Goole, however, look to be improving rapidly as a team and can provide a few problems for their League One rivals in their games they have left.
