Rugby league: National League One by Martin Morgan

Last updated 12:22, Monday, 21 April 2008

IF Haven last week produced one of their worst performances for years against Batley, in the cauldron of Stobart Stadium, and in the face of 3,500 hostile Vikings’ fans, they produced one of their strongest.

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Double delight: Ade Adebisi, who scored two tries for Haven, in action in Sunday’s National League One game

Haven were magnificent, equally as strong in the second half, when they scored only four points, as they had been in the first, when they stunned the powerful hosts with some fantastic rugby.

Their second half defence was phenomenal, hooker Mark Smith latching on to a bomb to finally snatch a win for the Vikings with under two minutes left on the clock.

Smith made ground so quickly, there was a strong suspicion of offside, but the try stood.

Winger Ade Adebisi produced another strong performance for Haven, using his electric pace to touch down twice, while Carl Rudd returned to his best, against his old half-back partner John Duffy.

But it was the forwards who were particularly impressive, with Ryan McDonald again the pick of the bunch, strong support coming from fellow props Karl Edmondson and David Ford.

And when sidelined front-rowers David Fatialofa and Marc Jackson return to fitness, there should be a terrific tussle for places.

The omens looked bad for Haven on the game’s first tackle, when Graeme Mattinson suffered a heavy knock to the head. He took no further part.

Thankfully for Haven, sub Carl Sice stepped up to the plate with a fantastic 80-minute effort.

Later in that first set, after Haven were pegged for offside and a high tackle, centre Tim Hartley crossed out wide.

On the back of a couple of weak performances, they could easily have caved in, but Haven stood tall, replying on seven minutes.

Scott Yates and Dean Gaskell contrived to make a mess of Leroy Joe’s lob and the visitors regained possession.

Centre Saia Makisi powered over from close range and Rudd’s conversion put Haven in front.

Four minutes later, the Widnes crowd was stunned into silence when Rob Jackson released Adebisi, who sprinted 60 metres to touch down.

They were in again on 15 minutes, Rudd shaping to pass on last tackle and instead grubbering through to score a fine individual try.

Back-to-back penalties proved expensive for Haven on 21 minutes. Ex-St Helens back Ian Hardman looked set to score until fired in to touch by a thunderous Makisi tackle.

But he first released the ball, and Gaskell picked up and scored.

The winger soon added another try, off Duffy’s long pass, and the hosts were only six points down.

But Rudd again ensured that Haven maintained the momentum on the half-hour. Following up his kick, he stripped the ball one-on-one and Adebisi was quickest to react, touching down a second time. Rudd notched his fourth conversion.

An uncharacteristic Gary Broadbent error when fielding Duffy’s kick put his side under pressure but gritty defence kept the hosts at bay.

Haven continued to fall foul of ref Mr Halloran, who lost patience on 37 minutes and sin-binned Howard Hill for a high tackle.

Makisi was then given a stern lecture for holding down, and from the next play, sub Shane Grady crossed out wide, to pull back Haven to 24-16 at the break.

Widnes were caught offside on Haven’s opening second half set. A great Richard Fletcher drive took them to within five metres of the whitewash, and when the Vikings again strayed offside, Rudd punished them with a penalty goal.

Grady had a try ruled out for a forward pass and Smith was held up over the whitewash before Gaskell beat Calvert to Duffy’s bomb to cross out wide.

Widnes had scored five tries, failing to convert any, and Rudd was next on the scoresheet, hammering home another penalty, from the 40-metre line.

Haven now had a chance to consolidate, but Hill knocked on from the re-start and Gaskell scored his fourth try, Tim Hartley finally landing a conversion, to drag the hosts to within two points of Haven.

Further intense pressure followed on Haven’s line, but it refused to yield until Smith’s dubious late effort sealed the win.

On the balance of play, Widnes edged it, but Haven proved they could go toe-to-toe with the big boys, and thoroughly deserved their bonus point.

“We’re back,” yelled one Haven fan as he left his seat at the end. I for one was not arguing.