Whitehaven need to win their catch-up game with Featherstone on Saturday to move out of the relegation zone.

Sunday’s collapse, from a winning position, was a double whammy, as it moved conquerors Swinton Lions two points clear and into a position of fifth-bottom.

With Oldham beating Featherstone 16-14 they have leap-frogged Haven, leaving the two west Cumbrian clubs propping-up the Kingstone Press Championship table.

But if Whitehaven can follow Oldham’s lead and beat Featherstone on Saturday night at the Recreation Ground they will join Sheffield Eagles and Swinton on 10 points.

Only Workington Town, despite a gritty fight-back to within four points of Halifax, are cut adrift at the moment some six points off safety at the halfway point of the regulation season.

It’s getting very congested outside the Championship’s top four with Saturday’s visitors Featherstone on 12 points and a clutch of clubs within reach – Sheffield (10), Swinton (10), Dewsbury (8, Oldham (8) and Whitehaven (8).

Despite the possible benefit of a trip to Canada next year, dropping into Championship One has no appeal to any of those clubs who desperately want to remain in the Championship.

“It’s going to be a scramble to avoid the bottom two places as there isn’t much in the league ladder between a number of clubs.

“I honestly think we are in a false position but haven’t helped ourselves with the number of games we have thrown away,” said coach James Coyle.

He was at a loss to explain Sunday’s fade-out when they squandered a 26-10 half-time lead to go down 32-26. The fact that they couldn’t add a single point in the second-half was particularly disappointing.

Haven have two successive home games now to try and move themselves up the table as, after the visit of Featherstone, they host Dewsbury Rams the following Saturday.