Whitehaven have finished their pre-season programme with a key victory over League One rivals Newcastle Thunder.

Haven put their other defeats early this year behind them as they hosted Thunder and racked up a 46-12 victory.

It was close at the break, with the hosts only leading 16-12 but they ran away with it in the second period to come out on top.

Haven opened the scoring as a good break down the left hand side allowed second rower Jake Moore to touch down but the conversion from Connor Holliday was missed.

But Haven looked to build on their early lead as first Jake Moore and then Brett Phillips were denied tries by the referee for forward passes.

Then penalties allowed Newcastle to get field possession and they made it pat when Jared Blake crashed over from short range and the resulting conversion from Alex Donaghy put the visitors ahead for the first time.

Their lead was not to last though as this time Moore turned provider for another former Town star Sam Forrester to touch down, and this time Holliday made no mistake with the two-pointer to give Haven a 10-6 lead.

With the match going from end to end Newcastle hit back again with goalkicker Donaghy the try scorer for Thunder, converting his own score.

Haven however, were determined to have the edge at the break and after a penalty for a high shot, they marched down the field again.

It was Brett Phillips who got his name on the scoresheet as he powered over the line, with Moore this time converting for 16-12.

Haven got a penalty just on the stroke of half time and they opted to go for goal but Moore's shot came off the post and the home side had to settle for a four point lead at the break.

Into the second half and winger Dave Thompson finished well to extend Haven's lead with Moore converting from the touchline.

Then Chris Taylor got a try, which Holliday converted before Tom Wilkinson extended the lead even further with a try of his own, this time Moore adding the extras.

Thompson then went over for his second as Haven kept racking up the points and then Newton scooted over the line from dummy-half with Moore and Holliday converting one apiece and that closed out the scoring at 46-12.