Haven beat the Widnes hoodoo - Now bring on Leigh Centurions

Last updated 21:28, Wednesday, 27 August 2008

WHITEHAVEN face a return to Leigh, where they were controversially beaten last week, in an NL1 play-off eliminator after yesterday ending their league campaign with a thrilling 20-16 win over full-timers Widnes.

And coach Ged Stokes confirmed that sidelined Haven heavyweight Marc Jackson would return to action following suspension for the winner-takes-all clash at Hilton Park in a fortnight.

The powerful enforcer and fellow prop Ryan McDonald (back problem) missed last week’s match at Leigh, in which weakened Haven were bullied in to defeat and had Scott Teare and Graeme Mattinson sent off in the 79th minute. Fellow forward Andy Gorski was also later found to have a case to answer after being put on report.

“There’s no pressure on Ryan McDonald at all, that’s a wait-and-see situation,” said Stokes. “But Jacko will definitely be back.

“I don’t really care where we are in the play-offs. If we take the attitude we had today in to any game, home or away, teams will struggle to beat us. In a lot of ways, Leigh will be easier to play than Widnes.”

Haven’s win over Widnes, in front of over 2,100 fans, ensured they finish fifth, one place above the Vikings. But Leigh’s 35-22 victory at Batley guaranteed them fourth place and their home draw.

“In the face of adversity, once again, we displayed a lot character, an immense amount of desire and tremendous courage,” Stokes added.

“The win was very significant and means we have beaten all the full-time teams in the division. That’s important to us.”

Widnes boss Steve McCormack had no complaints about the defeat, his first in eight outings against his former club.

“It’s not a nice feeling,” he said.

“Whitehaven muscled up and won the rucks early on. When you don’t play well up here, you get beat.”

Teare was sent off in the first-half by Super League ref Steve Ganson for an alleged high tackle.