Martin Morgan reports from the Recre

Last updated 09:48, Monday, 01 September 2008

Whitehaven 20 Widnes 16: Steve McCormack’s seven-match hoodoo over Whitehaven was finally broken yesterday – and how!

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Haven’s Graeme Mattinson starred in the victory

Both teams were on top of their game and produced a classic, high-octane encounter, with the visitors scoring late on to ensure a tense final three minutes for the vast majority of the crowd of 2,106.

The Widnes boss has had a soft spot for Haven since he departed at the end of 2005 after three successful seasons, but his fondness for the Recre, naturally enough, did not extend to cutting the team any slack on the pitch. His Vikings had enjoyed seven consecutive wins over Haven, including a 32-28 success at Stobart Stadium, in their last encounter, in March, their winning try coming with virtually the final touch of a thrilling clash.

Ged Stokes watched that match from the stand, officially taking charge of Haven the following day, and the Kiwi has fashioned a team more than a match for any on home turf.

Just ask NL1 champs Salford, Halifax and Celtic about that. So it was no disgrace for McCormack to finally lose his proud record against the Cumbrians.

Widnes possess more flair in their back division than any team in the division, and McCormack, as expected, has them well organised.

But Haven’s pack got on top yesterday, led by hooker Graeme Mattinson, showing no ill-effects from his dismissal at Leigh last week, with great support from Saia Makisi, Spencer Miller, Karl Edmondson and Leroy Joe.

The only negative came with the sending-off of Scott Teare, for the second successive match, this time for an alleged high tackle.

If the prop was perhaps a little unlucky to be dismissed at Leigh, he was downright unfortunate yesterday.

From the stand, the tackle looked to be fair. Yet Super League ref Steven Ganson had no hesitation in reaching for his card, without even consulting his touch judges, and it will be interesting to see what the RFL judiciary makes of it.

Ganson could hardly be accused of favouring the visitors, however, as he later sent off Vikings sub Michael Ostick and sin-binned two team-mates in separate incidents.

Both sides went in to the game knowing they had to win to stand a chance of finishing fourth in League One and securing a home draw in their opening play-off match.

Haven took the lead on seven minutes, Tane Manihera kicking ahead, Gary Broadbent gathering and feeding Rob Jackson, who went under the sticks.

Manihera converted and then went close to scoring, slipping two tackles before a flair-up in front of the Widnes posts led to the stand-off slotting a penalty.

The visitors looked particularly dangerous on their left side, and it was from a break down that flank that they hit back.

Richard Fletcher’s offload put Steve Tryer in the clear, only for Ade Adebisi to track back and take him down. The ball looked to be spilled forward, but Ganson waved play-on, and winger Gavin Dodd swooped, Tyrer converting.

Teare was sent off directly following the re-start, and Haven still looked to be coming to terms with his loss when Bob Beswick cut loose.

Widnes should have scored but Dodd over-ran the ball. Instead, it was Haven next on the scoreboard, after Manihera was held up over the Widnes line on the right edge.

The ball was moved left and Leroy Joe lofted the ball for Scott McAvoy to touch down.

Manihera increased the lead within three minutes of the restart, thanks to a penalty for ball-stealing.

But Widnes were never going to lie down, and on 46 minutes, Dean Gaskell crossed out wide, with Haven simply caught short of numbers.

Ex-Haven forward Richard Fletcher was sin-binned for interference on 50 minutes, Gregg McNally slotting the penalty, as the hosts started to assert their authority.

Full-back Ian Hardman was forced to knock dead Mattinson’s grubber, and ball-stealing from the drop-out led to another McNally two-pointer.

The scrum-half was again on target after Martin McLoughlin was penalised for holding down, and sin-binned in to the bargain. Three minutes later, Ostick saw red.

Morton crossed off an inside pass late on, with Tyrer converting, to ensure the match went down to the wire. And Morton could have equalised out wide in the closing seconds but couldn’t take a difficult pass.

Leigh’s 35-22 win at Batley means Haven return to Hilton Park in a fortnight for their play-off opener. After yesterday’s clash at the Recre, it has plenty to live up to.

MATCH FACTS

Haven: Broadbent, Adebisi, R Jackson, McAvoy, Calvert, Manihera, McNally, Edmondson, Mattinson, Fatialofa, Makisi, Miller, Joe. Subs: Patrick, Gorski, Teare, Hill

Tries: R Jackson, McAvoy; Goals: Manihera 3, McNally 3

Widnes: Hardman, Gaskell, Tyrer, Dean, Dodd, Duffy, Matty Smith, Morrison, Mark Smith, Gannon, Patterson, Fletcher, Beswick. Subs: Hartley, McLoughlin, Morton, Ostick.

Tries: Dodd, Gaskell, Morton; Goals: Tyrer 2

Attendance: 2,106

Referee: Steve Ganson

Star Man: Graeme Mattinson