WHITEHAVEN suffered a shock loss in the second Super 8s – losing heavily against a Hunslet side deep in relegation trouble.

Fans inside The Recre saw a stuttering Whitehaven team ravaged by injury as they went down 30-16.

Head coach James Coyle was forced to make six changes against Hunslet, who took the lead in the first minute.

The visitors took advantage of a mistake by Ed Chamberlain from the kick-off and Matty Gee crashed over to put them 4-0 ahead.

Aaron Lyons then crossed the line to put Hunslet in the driving seat at 10-0 up after as many minutes before Chamberlain hit back for Haven after 15 minutes.

Hawks substitute Mark Castle barged his way over the line on 30 minutes, gifting his side a 16-6 lead at the break.

Haven had a dream start to the second half as Owain Griffiths scored his first try for the club just two minutes after the restart, and Chamberlain’s conversion reduced the deficit to four points.

But, moments later, George Flanagan forced his way over to restore Hunslet’s 10-point advantage and he was followed over the line 10 minutes later by James Duckworth.

Chris Taylor scored a neat try with 15 minutes to go, but Haven were unable to mount a comeback and Simon Brown’s late penalty put three scores between the two teams.

It was just Hunslet’s second win in 14 games.

Haven are now fifth in the Championship Shield table with just nine wins from their 27 games this season.

They are one place and three points adrift of West Cumbrian rivals Workington Town, who they play next weekend.

This weekend, Coyle’s men travel to Yorkshire to take on Batley Bulldgos, one of the few teams beneath them in the league standings.

Batley are sixth in the Super 8s table.