Published at 11:27, Monday, 03 September 2012

Whitehaven 58 North Wales Crusaders 20: Whitehaven put last week’s off-field upheaval firmly behind them to round off the league campaign with a comprehensive win over Crusaders.

The hosts were a little slow in to their stride, North Wales taking an early lead. But once they warmed to the task there was never any danger of launching the post-Don Gailer era with anything other than a victory.

Haven’s left side attack was outstanding in the first-half, with Jessie Joe Parker and Craig Calvert combining well to cause plenty of headaches for the Welsh side’s defence.

Credit also goes to Richard Varkulis, who was on a mission in the first-half, with a rampaging effort off the bench. the big forward earning warm applause from appreciate fans at the end of his stint. While Andrew Beattie, grabbed a hat-trick. And Carl Rudd, skipper for the day in his last league game before retirement, showed what a miss he will be next year with another great all-round effort, including nine goals from 10 attempts.

Ex-Haven second-row Andy Gorski took just four minutes to get on the scoresheet, latching on to Andy Moulsdale’s chip, Tommy Johnson converting.

The hosts levelled on 16 minutes, Lee Doran charging through a gap and finding Tom Hemingway on his inside, the hooker going under the posts.

North Wales continued to press, forcing a drop-out after Loz Hamzat fielded a ball behind his line.

Haven did not panic and hit the front on 25 minutes, Parker’s short pass putting Calvert in to space, the winger stepping inside to score between the posts. The visitors made Haven pay for indiscipline three minutes later, the Cumbrians penalised for dissent in possession on their 30 metre line and winger Rob Massam showing good pace to force his way over.

Slowly but surely, Haven started to get the upper hand, fantastic defence denying Parker and Calvert before Jamie Rooney took matters in to his own hands. The stand-off showed great footwork and strength to force his way over from close range. And within seven minutes Haven added another two tries.

The first came from Beattie, after a basketball pass from Parker to Lee Doran, provider Parker then crossing himself.

The Papua New Guinea star slipped a pass to Calvert in his own half and was on hand to take the return to complete a sparkling long-range effort.

North Wales centre Leon Brennan gave his team a glimmer of hope on 43 minutes, putting Massam in for his second try.

Bradd Crellin crossed seven minutes later, and Beattie then added another two tries in as many sets. The first came after Rooney broke from deep and Rudd grubbered for the Aussie to touch down.

Parker then broke down the left and Beattie earned his third try for his superb support play.

Crusaders’ prop Simon Stephens interrupted the flow with a try at the other end before Rooney added his second, in a move prompted by Paul Cullnean’s offload.

In the final seconds, Haven notched their 10th try, Rooney catching the defence off guard with a chip from a scrum base.

The ball was hacked ahead and Hamzat won the race to touch down. Haven go in to the play-offs at home to Rochdale next weekend with four wins from their last five outings, and a continuation of current form, with many players performing as well as they have all year, could yet see them finish the season on a major high.

Whitehaven: Palfrey, Calvert, Wiper, Parker, Hamzat, Rooney, Rudd, Houghton, Hemingway, Cullnean, Crellin, Beattie, Doran. Subs: Gee, Isakka, Varkulis, Haggerty.

Tries: Hemingway, Calvert, Rooney 2, Beattie 3, Parker, Crellin, Hamzat; Goals: Rudd 9

Crusaders: Johnson, Clay, Roets, Brennan, Massam, Moulsdale, Sheen, Walker, Hudson, Stephens, Gorski, Adamson, Smith. Subs: Brown, Morrison, Weaver, Griffith.

Tries: Gorski, Massam 2, Stephens; Goals: Johnson 2

Referee: Chris Leatherbarrow

Attendance: 701

Star man: Andrew Beattie

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