WHITEHAVEN head coach James Coyle said he was impressed with his side’s final day 52-22 win over Doncaster which ensured the club will remain in the second tier in 2016.

Haven went into the game on the back of three disappointing defeats but looked a different side as they raced into a 28-4 lead at half-time.

Four further tries in the second half secured Haven’s place in the Championship and they wouldn’t have to wait for relegation rivals Hunslet to play Batley the following day.

“We wanted to put the situation to bed,” Coyle said. “It could have been dangerous having to wait for points difference to decide things.

“We should have put the season to bed three or four weeks ago but we failed to do so.

“I’m impressed with how they focused this weekend and how they played for each other.

“We had some battered bodies out there and it was a really fast game.”

The first-half was a stark contrast to last weekend’s 60-20 defeat to Workington as they took the game by the scruff of the neck after a tense opening 20 minutes.

“We did well to get through that stage and we were a lot tougher than last week,” Coyle continued.

“We crumbled first and the game went away from us, but this weekend we were strong enough to stay in the arm wrestle and get on top.”

The Haven boss praised half-back Dion Aiye who picked up a brace of tries to make it five scores in two games.

“We all know how good he is,” Coyle added. “He has undoubtedly been one of our best players this year.

“It took him a bit of time to settle and he was played in second row and then at loose forward.

“But he’s comfortable now in the stand-off role and when Brocky [John Paul Brocklebank] got injured he took the shirt and made it his own.”