Whitehaven were celebrating their first Championship win of the season and a clean sheet as they beat Rochdale Hornets 20-0 at the Ortus Rec.
All the points came in a splendid first-half from the Cumbrians who were bouncing back from a heavy defeat at Keighley last week.
Rochdale had also been badly beaten at home by Hunslet and they looked shaky early on as Whitehaven came out of the blocks best, forcing the pace.
But it was Whitehaven who had the most defensive work to do early on after twice losing the ball in dangerous areas.
Rochdale also wasted an opportunity when they passed into touch when looking for room on the outside.
The game suddenly turned as Haven helped themselves to three tries in the space of eight minutes.
Ciaran Walker started the try-rush on 18 minutes when he followed his own kick and chase to get the ball down, but could not add the conversion.
Three minutes later Haven were over again, this time Barrow loanee Seth Woodend celebrating his debut with an unconverted try.
There was even more joy for the home side on 26 minutes when a great break by Jordan Thomson saw Ellison Holgate in support and he took the pass to go over and this time Walker was able to add the extras.
There was still time for a fourth home try on 37 minutes when Ethan Bickerdike crashed over from a Whitehaven scrum near the Rochdale line.
Walker’s conversion sealed a fine first-half effort from the hosts.
The second-half was scoreless, as it proved more of a slog in the ever-worsening conditions underfoot, but Whitehaven proved resolute in defence.
Rochdale forced several goal-line-drop-outs as Jamie Dallimore tried to work his magic but the West Cumbrians put in a really strong defensive effort to keep them out and collect those precious first points of the season.
