Last updated 16:02, Wednesday, 02 July 2008

WHAT a difference a year makes! It’s almost 12 months to the weekend since Whitehaven were preparing themselves for a grand time in Blackpool – the Northern Rail Cup final.

The team, under Dave Rotheram, was also sitting pretty near the top of the league.

It all looked good. But what should have been a memorable day turned into a nightmare as Widnes made Haven look second raters. It all started to turn sour after that.

There had been controversy in the days leading up to the big occasion when David Seeds, the club’s iconic figure, was left out of the squad altogether – injury had prevented him from figuring in the semi-final.

Rotheram had been getting results, playing the style for which he thought his charges were most suited, but once the wins dropped off, it was all downhill. There was to be no Grand Final and the coach was going, going.....all the way to Workington.

Even with the benefit of a crystal ball, no one could have foreseen the nightmare that was going to happen.

Big financial troubles plunged Haven to the edge (official), the new coach, Paul Crarey, was also gone – through illness – and a new broom swept through the Boardroom.

And then (again official) it was ‘sell to survive time’ with stars John Duffy and Richard Fletcher on their way to Widnes.

More eyebrows raised when Haven’s brand new board invited criticism by bringing the charismatic coach Ged Stokes out of the cold, followed by another Kiwi, Tane Manihera, thought to be well past his prime.

But soon most of us were changing our tune. The directors were vindicated in their choices, Ged was introducing an attractive style of play which produced a good result or two, and a certain Gregg McNally emerged.

Table toppers Salford were humbled before the TV cameras, things were back on the up and, finally, the promise of a transformed Recre thanks to a 50-year-lease and £500,000 from nuclear coffers.

And, oh, David Seeds had made a welcome return in a coaching capacity, soon to be re-joined by Gary Hewer as head of playing performance and development. All starting to look rosy again.

But never mind what difference a year makes – how about a match or two?

Fans left the Recre on Sunday wondering how their favourites could be as boring against bottom club Dewsbury as they were brilliant in the previous home match which saw them outclass Featherstone.

Answer – probably attitude and complacency. The Rams looked as though they wanted to win it more. Haven just did enough for three points, without which they might have been left in a pretty pickle.

Dewsbury’s performance belied their position. But, as Haven’s coaches had their side prepared all week to counter a limited but defensively determined style of play, they ought to have done so much better.

Paying customers, coaches and directors, have every right to expect the team to play as well against the bottom side as they did against the top. No excuses.

If it’s really a case of the better the opposition the better we play then Haven will do all right for the rest of the campaign.

No match this weekend so time to get the tactics right and overcome fitness and injury problems for the visit to Sheffield on July 11, then its off to red-hot Celtic Crusaders at the Brewery Field before entertaining second top Halifax.

Pessimistically, Haven could lose the lot, I don’t think they will. Would it be too much to expect six points from nine, given that a good performance in the Welsh valley would suffice, considering it will cost too much for an overnight stay.

Much focus will be on the back of the scrum partnership of Rudd, Manihera and young McNally. It’s no surprise that Martin Gambles is leaving the club but you can be sure a returning Leroy Joe will get a look in. It seemed a bit of a leadership muddle on Sunday and confusion over who does what.

I’d much rather see the likes of a sharp-witted scrum-half, such as McNally, running off his forwards and making breaks than standing out wide spraying out passes – immaculate as they are.

One other thing: Ged Stokes is not only a good coach but a pretty decent spin doctor.

The silver tongued Kiwi can certainly get positives out of a negative performance. I’d employ him for spin, having been one myself in another life at a certain nuclear site!