Whitehaven gave a good account of themselves against an established Championship side Sheffield Eagles before losing 11-4 in the opening game of the season.
Largely locally-based, and finishing in the lower reaches of League One last year, Whitehaven gave as good as they got for long periods and even led 4-0 at half-time.
The weather wasn’t good and the soft pitch made life difficult for both teams, but particularly in the first-half both coaches would be happy with the completion rate.
There was nothing in it until the 34th minute when Whitehaven took the lead.
It stemmed from a break by Aaron Turnbull down the middle and although he had support with just the full-back to beat he was tackled.
However, it wasn’t costly as from the play-the-ball a clever kick from Ciaran Walker was followed up by Mitchell Todd to dive over in the corner.
Unfortunately for Whitehaven Walker lost his footing in taking the kick and failed to convert.
In the second-half Sheffield started to take control and were given the lead through two tries by the excellent Kieran Gill.
The first on 44 minutes levelled the scores and the second nine minutes later was converted by Jordan Lilley for a 10-4 lead.
Lilley gave Sheffield added insurance when he put over a field goal after 67 minutes but Whitehaven still kept going.
They thought they had reduced the arrears five minutes from the end when Walker claimed a touchdown after Joe Brown had lost possession on his line but the score was disallowed.
Ethan Bickerdike was ruled to have tackled Brown without the ball.
The two sides meet again at the weekend, this time at Sheffield and in the Challenge Cup.
