Last updated 13:19, Monday, 25 February 2008

WHITEHAVEN returned to the Cumbrian coast empty-handed yesterday after finishing on the wrong end of an eight-try caning in West Yorkshire.HAVEN certainly started strongly enough, dominating the early possession and winning a penalty which Carl Rudd, operating at loose forward to accomodate Finch, uncharacteristically put wide of the posts.

Playmaker: Halifax’s former Leeds half back Graham Holroyd is held by Leroy Joe

NORTHERN RAIL CUP: Halifax 48 Whitehaven 16

Five months on from their National League One play-off defeat at the Shay, Paul Crarey's side endured a miserable afternoon which is likely to have serious repercussions for their hopes of topping their Northern Rail Cup group.

Against opponents Haven bettered four times out of five last year in National League, Northern Rail Cup and Challenge Cup rugby, it was a frustrating reversal, largely because so much of it seemed to be self inflicted.

On a freezing day, Haven's hopes effectively evaporated before the break, when some appalling discipline saw the visitors finish on the wrong end of a 12-7 first half penalty count.

When they finally did manage to generate some real momentum, in the closing stages of the second half, it was far too little, far too late.

To add insult to injury, Haven also had wingman Ade Adebisi sin binned for intefering at the play the ball as referee Steve Ganson's patience finally snapped.

With a glut of possession at their disposal, Halifax took full advantage with hugely experienced stand-off Graham Holroyd, the former Leeds, Salford and Doncaster player, setting up two tries as the home side opened up a 20-0 lead inside the opening 35 minutes.

Haven's tactic of fielding former Barrow speedster Liam Finch with the specific aim of keeping a lid on Holroyd's influence was hardly a success, the young stand off cutting a marginal figure all afternoon.

But when the visitors conceded a penalty at the other end, Marc Jackson manhandling Danny Heaton in front of the posts, the home side chose to run the ball, Holroyd sending experienced back rower David Larder ploughing through Gary Broadbent's desperate tackle to touchdown.

Holroyd converted for a 6-0 lead and although Rudd carved open the defence soon after, Haven's chances of an immediate reply went begging as the ball rolled loose.

Holroyd then stroked over two penalties as Haven began to lose their cool, and when Adebisi was dealt a yellow card after making a try saving tackling on home full back Shad Royston, Halifax scored a second touchdown, through former Harlequins winger Andy Smith. Second rower Richard Fletcher went close from John Duffy's grubber kick at the other end, and Craig Calvert looked a certain scorer only for Royston to barge him into touch 10 metres from the line.

Royston then swept in for Halifax's third try - and a 20-0 lead - before Calvert gave Haven a ray of hope when he finished smartly from Duffy's rifled pass on the stroke of half time, Rudd's conversion cutting the deficit to 20-6.

Again, Haven started the half brightly, Fletcher going close, but tries from captain Sean Penkywicz and wingman Lee Patterson gave Halifax a platform for victory at 30-6 they never looked like relinquishing.

What was turning into a desperate afternoon for the visitors was just about summed up when, after a rare burst of attacking fluency, veteran Kiwi Leroy Joe dropped the ball when scoring seemed the easier option.

Finch was then held on his back over the line, before Adebisi made some amends for his earlier indiscretion, soaring above Patterson to claim Duffy's high kick.

Any consolation provided by that try was quickly eclipsed as Halifax continued to run riot, Larder and former Hull KR centre Jon Goddard (2) scoring further tries.

Haven did at least have the satisfaction of having the last word, outstanding full backGary Broadbent scoring from Howard Hill's well-timed off load, but Crarey will know that his side simply have to improve if they are to harbour serious hopes of success when National League One kicks off in a few weeks'time.

match facts

Halifax: Shad Royston; Lee Patterson, Jon Goddard, Mike Ratu, Andy Smith; Graham Holroyd, Mick Govin; Paul Southern, Sean Penkywicz, David Wrench, David Larder, Danny Heaton, Paul Smith. Subs: Miles Greenwood, Richard Varkulis, Dana Wilson, Craig Kopczak.

Tries: Royston, Patterson, Goddard (2), A. Smith, Penkywicz, Larder (2) Goals: Holroyd (8)

Whitehaven: Gary Broadbent; Craig Calvert, Salai Makisi, Derry Eilbeck, Ade Adebisi; Liam Finch, John Duffy; Marc Jackson, Graeme Mattinson, David Fatialofa, Spencer Miller, Richard Fletcher, Carl Rudd. Subs: Scott McAvoy, Leroy Joe, Karl Edmondson, Howard Hill.Tries: Calvert, Adebisi, Broadbent. Goals: Rudd (2)

Sin bin: Adebisi, 23, holding down

Referee: Steve Ganson (St Helens)

Attendance: 1,651

Star Man: Gary Broadbent

Penalties: Halifax 12 Whitehaven 12