By Martin Morgan

Published at 15:46, Wednesday, 09 June 2010

IN one sense the result of Tuesday night’s Cumbrian derby had less meaning for Haven than any game in their recent history after the tragic death of former club favourite Garry Purdham.

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Coming less than a week after the popular back-rower was senselessly gunned down, one of 12 victims of a ruthless killer, the result could only ever have been of secondary importance.

But the West Cumbrians could at least say they performed creditably against a side intent on retaining their Championship title.

Garry Purdham was one of the hardest-working players you could ever see, and Haven took that ethic on to Craven Park.

They held the hosts scoreless for 37 minutes, and their defence – the area in which the late Gosforth farmer excelled most – was admirable throughout.

Haven were caught short in attack however, out-muscled, as they have been for much of the campaign, by a stronger pack.

There was nothing between the teams in the opening 10 minutes, played in heavy rain, with Haven hooker Graeme Mattinson looking sharp.

But Barrow were first to break the line, Martyn Ostler cutting loose and feeding Liam Campbell.

He was wrapped up by full-back Josh Veivers, but on the next set, Campbell was taken out as he kicked through, and Haven were then penalised for a third time, for an infringement in the tackle.

The defence remained rock-solid however, and Barrow eventually knocked on. Raiders went close on 33 minutes as Veivers juggled a grubber behind his own line, only to gather as Michael Knowles bore down on him.

On the next set, the pacey Andy Ballard cut inside from 20 metres and went under the posts, but eagle-eyed ref Rob Hicks spotted a knock-on as he touched down.

The winger made no mistake on 37 minutes, latching on to a low kick and scoring between the sticks, Jamie Rooney converting.

The hosts lost the ball on the next set, Carl Rudd doing well to force a pass out of a tackle, though trialist Kurt Wilton was unable to take the low ball.

He made amends seconds later, putting a huge shot on hard-hitting Zeb Luisi, with the half closing at 6-0.

The danger signs were apparent in the opening exchanges of the second-half, with Haven looking to tire.

Barrow hooker Nathan Mossop took advantage on 47 minutes, breaking through and feeding prop Brett McDermott for a try.

Ten minutes later, big Ned Catic cut loose down the right before firing an inside ball for Jamie Rooney to cross next to the posts, to give himself a simple conversion.

Rooney turned creator on 59 minutes, lobbing the Haven defence with an ambitious kick from his 30 metre line.

As winger Derry Eilbeck waited for the ball to roll in to touch, Barrow pounced, and Ostler was on hand to cross.

Rooney added the extras and was then on hand to ankle-tap Danny Barker after he was put in to space by a Rudd pass.

In the closing moments, Andy Bracek went over from close range, with Rooney converting again.

Haven were out-classed on the night, but they could not be faulted for effort, and on that score at least, the performance was a fitting tribute to Garry Purdham, their sadly-missed former team-mate.

Haven: Veivers, Eilbeck, R Jackson, Tony, Calvert, Rudd, Skee, Amor, Mattinson, Thornley, S Miller, Hill, Joe. Subs: Ford, Barker, C Smith, Wilton.

Barrow: Broadbent, Ballard, Catic, Harrison, Bauer, Rooney, Campbell, McDermott, Roberts, Mossop, Knowles, Ostler, Luisi. Subs: Bracek, Young, Noone, Fletcher

Tries: Ballard, McDermott, Rooney, Ostler, Bracek.

Goals: Rooney 5.

Attendance: 1,920.

Referee: Rob Hicks.

Star Man: Graeme Mattinson.

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