Published at 15:45, Wednesday, 17 June 2009

SO near yet so far was the verdict after Haven went down heroically at Sheffield Eagles on Saturday afternoon.

In an action packed encounter, Haven battled against an 18-4 penalty count to almost claim a stupendous victory but ultimately suffered a heartbreaking 28-24 defeat.

Eagles built up an 18-0 first half lead before Haven hit back with tries from Gregg McNally, Paul Ballard and Scott McAvoy inside six blistering minutes. But touchdowns either side of half time settled an enthr-alling clash at sun-drenched Don Valley Stadium.

Matty Brooks opened the scoring for Eagles with a slick break on five minutes. Jonny Woodcock converted.

Keeping up the pressure, only a forward pass denied Eagles prop Mitch Stringer but after dominating the opening quarter hooker Grant Edwards crashed over from close range. Woodcock converted to put the hosts in early control.

And Haven, fifth prior to the clash, had further problems when they found themselves down to 12 men after Rob Jackson was sin binned for persistent holding down infringements.

Eagles took advantage with a third score when Brendon Lindsay sent Alex Szotak through a gaping hole in the Haven defence. Woodcock converted for an 18-0 lead.

Needing to hit back quickly Co-operative Championship leading try scorer McNally kick started the comeback with his 25th try of the season courtesy of a scything run through the heart of the Eagles rearguard on 30 minutes. McNally converted.

The try rejuvenated Haven and they reduced the deficit further when Ballard joined the next attack to crash over from close range.

McNally converted and set up a remarkable turnaround four minutes from half time when McAvoy caught his high bomb.

McNally added the extras to level the scores and appeared to repeat the trick on 38 minutes with a clever chip but referee Halloran controversially chalked off an Ade Adebisi try.

Shell shocked Eagles bounced back in the final play of the half when Brendon Lindsay sent Danny Mills over in the corner to edge the hosts into a 22-18 interval lead.

A string of penalties awarded to Eagles on the resumption needed strong Haven defence before a suicidal offload by Ballard brought a knock on by Adebisi and Sam Barlow powered over from the resultant set. Woodcock converted for a 10-point advantage.

But Haven restarted on the comeback trail again when Spencer Miller kicked ahead before winning the race to touch down on 55 minutes. McNally converted.

A debilitating penalty count kept Haven on the back foot but sterling defence, personified by a last ditch tackle by Craig Calvert to deny Danny Mills after an 80-yard interception foot race, kept the hosts at bay.

And from the next set Mills had a try disallowed for offside to the relief of the visitors.

Plucky Haven had good field position late on but failed to find the winning score.

Sheffield: Woodcock, Mills, Yere, Ropati, Gibson, Lindsay, Wood, Hepworth, Brooks, Stringer, Szostak, Walsh, Green. Subs: Edwards, Barlow, Exton, Haley.

Tries: Brooks, Edwards, Szostak, Mills, Barlow.

Goals: Woodcock 4/5.

Haven: Ballard, Adebisi, McAvoy, Jackson, Calvert, Rudd, McNally, Radonovic, Theoharous, Edmondson, Hill, Miller, Joe. Subs: Smith, Amor, Gorski, Tunstall.

Tries: McNally, Ballard, McAvoy, Miller.

Goals: McNally 4/4.

Referee: Craig Halloran.

Attendance: 811.

Star Man: Gregg McNally.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk