Whitehaven put up a brave show in defeat when they went down 18-6 in the second round of the Challenge Cup at Sheffield Eagles.
It was a second success for the Eagles over the West Cumbrians as they had won 11-4 in the opening Championship game last Sunday.
In a tight first-half Whitehaven were the better side and had led 6-0 until Sheffield levelled-up in the last few seconds.
But it was the Eagles who did best after the break and went in front and although Haven battled them all the way to the final hooter they couldn’t get over again.
The Cumbrians, had in fact, engineered two good chances oin the first-half but lost the ball ovetr the line.
However they deservedly went ahead on 28 minutes with a nicely-finished try from Cole Walker-Taylor which was converted by Ciaran Walker.
It looked like they were going to take the lead into the dressing room at half-time but the Eagles levelled with the last play of the game.
Simon Brown got over and Jordan Lilley put over the conversion.
Sheffield carried that momentum into the second-half and seven minutes in they took the lead when long-serving second-row, captain Joel Farrell cross for a try which Lilley improved.
The third try followed on the 67th minute and it was Eagles’ Cumbrian forward Conor Fitzsimons who got over the line for Lilley to land his third conversion.
Whitehaven have shown great commitment and endeavour in both games against the Eagles but will be disappointed to miss out on a second successive Cup visit from Warrington Wolves.
This is what coach Anthony Murray had to say:
