If there were any doubts over the emergence of Newcastle Thunder from no-hopers to title challengers, they were dispelled at the Ortus Rec.
Whitehaven, who had lost by seven and then 12 points in successive games against established Championship side Sheffield, were thumped 54-6.
It was virtually settled by the 22nd minute when a blistering start from Thunder had propelled them into a lead they never looked like losing, scoring five tries in that opening blitz.
It was 32-6 at half-time and in the second-half the visitors went on to add 22 unanswered points against a shell-shocked home side.
Three tries came in the first 16 minutes as the Newcastle forwards took control, a powerful combination which looks capable of matching the very best the Championship has to offer,
Prop Ryan Jackson and loose forward Harvey Reynolds both crossed as did winger Brad Ward with Jack Smith converting two of them.
Stand-off Cody Hunter was there to take the final pass from Aidan McGowan to increase the lead on 18 minutes and second row forward Noah Whittingham got in on the act in the 22nd minute.
It was 26-0 before Whitehaven made any attacking impression and a clever grubber from Ciaran Walker saw his former Workington Town team-mate getting through well to touchdown. Walker converted.
But there was still time for another Newcastle try two minutes before half-time and it was again the powerful Reynolds who barged over by the posts.
If the stunned Whitehaven faithful had any thoughts of a second-half fight-back they were dispelled after only three minutes when Ukuma Ta’ai took advantage of a slip by Cole Walker-Taylor to score.
Star man, hooker then half-back, Taylor Pemberton and centre Aidan McGowan (twice) scored further tries in the last 13 minutes of a game which couldn’t end soon enough for a well-beaten Whitehaven.
The only bright spot for coach Anthony Murray was a very good debut, in testing circumstances, for former Seaton Rangers hooker Liam Williamson.
Whitehaven will certainly appreciate a break until they play again on February 15 at home to Barrow, but will have noted that first and second in the Championship’s early table are the Raiders and Thunder.
