By Martin Morgan

Last updated at 13:30, Monday, 19 April 2010

Blackpool 24 Whitehaven 18: Whitehaven’s day at the seaside proved anything but fun as Blackpool ended their hopes of a big Challenge Cup payday.

Spencer Miller is held up

Yet at half-time not even Mystic Meg could have predicted a Haven defeat, as they dominated the first period.

They were in charge of every facet of play and looked to be coasting to victory, the only criticism being that their advantage at the break should have been bigger than 18-6.

In the second-half, however, came an incredible turnaround with the hosts taking command, on their way to a ninth successive win and a trip to Headingley to face Leeds Rhinos in round five.

There were plenty of stand-out Haven performers in the first-half, with Leroy Joe taking charge on his return to a half-back role.

And former Scotland RU star Tom Philip showed he could be a huge asset in attack once he gets to grips with the game.

He scored a try and had another disallowed for a forward pass. He will no doubt be examined in defence, with his first tackle yesterday penalised for being high, while his second was a superb bone-cruncher.

The Panthers struggled to get out of their own half in the opening 10 minutes, which was notable for a fantastic tackle from Howard Hill and Rob Jackson on ex-Leigh bruiser Andy Hobson, which forced an error.

The hosts finally showed their potential on 20 minutes when they broke smartly down Haven’s left side and centre Martin Ainscough completed a three-man move to score, Jonny Leather converting.

The lead lasted only three minutes, the bounce of Joe’s chip deceiving the defence and Carl Rudd pouncing for a try, his own kick making it 6-all.

Moments later, another Joe kick had the defence scratching their heads, the ball rebounding off the cross-bar and Dexter Miller touching down.

Rudd was again on target with the conversion, and with the hosts persistently in trouble for lying-on in the tackle, he goaled again when they were penalised for dissent.

Haven increased their lead after a sweet move downfield on 34 minutes. Blackpool did well to deny Dexter Miller his second try, but when the ball was moved left sharply, Philip crashed over.

When Danny Barker dispossessed Wigan’s dual registered Neil Holland with a great tackle, the prop beat the ground in frustration.

Everything was going Haven’s way. They must have wished the half would never end.

The second-half looking to be heading the same way after the hosts were penalised for back-to-back high tackles and Philip sold a dummy to cross out wide.

But a touch judge seemingly spotted a forward pass – which must have been borderline, as no Panthers’ fans shouted for it.

The rest of the half belonged to Blackpool. Holland got them going with a ball strip in midfield, showing decent pace before taken down by Benson and Calvert.

Haven were unable to regroup quickly and Leather took advantage to score. The Cumbrians had a decent chance after a Spencer Miller break ended five metres out, but they were unable to penetrate.

They were lacklustre at the other end as they allowed a bomb to bounce, Blackpool regaining possession and Ainscough scoring his second try. Leather’s conversion booted Blackpool to within two points of Haven.

They could have taken the lead had Ainscough shown more composure when Leather was free on the wing in Haven’s danger zone but his pass sailed in to touch.

The centre brought up his hat-trick on 70 minutes, after being gifted a set in Haven’s half when they opted to run the ball on the last tackle and a wayward pass was ruled forward.

Haven improved slightly in the final moments yet were virtually out on their feet in the closing seconds as Martin Keaveny nipped over from dummy-half.

Blackpool did not bother to take the kick as the hooter sounded.

They were through to round five and a big pay day at Leeds, while Haven now have only the Championship campaign to focus on.

Haven: Benson, Dawes, R Jackson, Philip, Calvert, Rudd, Joe, M Jackson, Mattinson, Amor, D Miller, Hill, Barker. Subs: Sice, Darby, Thornley, S Miller

Tries: Rudd, D Miller, Philip; Goals: Rudd 3

Panthers: Leather, Munro, Llewellyn, Ainscough, Ballard, Forber, Hemmingway, Holland, Clough, Hobson, McCully, Halliwell, Haggerty. Subs: Keaveny, Anderson, Alcock, Ratcliffe

Tries: Ainscough 3, Leather, Keaveny; Goals: Leather 2

Referee: G Nolan

Attendance: 500 (est)

Star Man: Leroy Joe

First published at 11:31, Monday, 19 April 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk