JAMES Coyle has laid into his players following a dismal 42-30 defeat to Featherstone – questioning their effort, intensity and willing to work as a team.

The 12-point loss in Whitehaven’s first Super 8s outing leaves the West Cumbrians perilously close to relegation to Championship One.

Haven are now one point above the drop zone, and have just six matches to save their season.

Coyle watched as his side failed to recreate the whitewash win enjoyed over Fev two weeks ago, and said: “First off, I questioned the effort. The intensity wasn’t good enough.

“We need to work to a high intensity, but we weren’t willing to work hard for each other.

“Off the back of that, Featherstone found a lot of space and were able to control the ruck. They wanted it more in the first half. They ran the ball harder. They tackled harder.

“I said in the dressing room, that’s the first time I’ve questioned their attitude since we played Halifax at home.

“The games we’ve played badly in this year have not been down to attitude, it’s maybe been down to skill or understanding.”

Coyle warned that a repeat performance in Saturday’s home clash with London Broncos will see changes made.

Five tries in the 15 minutes before half time killed the game at Featherstone. And despite a mini revival after the break, Haven were unable to close the gap.

Haven started positively, and took the lead when Dion Aiye found Grant Gore, who sent Ted Chapelhow clear to score.

From then on, there was no stopping Featherstone as Gareth Moore took control of the game, playing a pivotal role as the home side grabbed three quick tries.

The second period started in a similar fashion to the majority of the first, with Featherstone in the ascendancy.

It resulted in two more touch downs.

A runaway try by Grant Gore, who raced clear from 80m, saw momentum shift. Whitehaven became the team in control and played with confidence and intensity they had severely lacked before the interval.

Despite their new-found energy, the visitors lacked composure. On two occasions Craig Calvert was in the clear on the left, but the final pass was far out of reach.

Eventually they were able to cross the whitewash once more. The pass from the ruck was of poor quality, but Gore worked his magic again, hacking it over the defence for Chapelhow to grasp out of the air and add a second.

For the next try Gore was again pivotal, claiming the loose ball after a knock on to release Chris Taylor down his outside.

After a day of adding the extras to everyone else’s tries, Ed Chamberlain scored his own after the hooter. The ball was spread wide to the left where Calvert made a surging break.

The winger had the presence of mind to release the ball backwards when ankle-tapped, allowing Chamberlain to collect and turn on the burners, scoring between the uprights and then maintaining his 100 per cent record with the boot.