Last updated 09:37, Friday, 19 September 2008

NL1 play-off semi-final: Salford 62 Whitehaven 18: Weary Haven’s magnificent play-off adventure ended under the Salford floodlights last night, just one step from a third NL1 Grand Final appearance.

• Slideshow: photos from the game

The scoreline does not tell the whole story, however, and on the final whistle, Cumbrian fans showed their appreciation of the team’s fine effort this season with warm applause.

The visitors looked laboured in the opening 20 minutes, when they failed to seriously threaten the Salford line, no doubt still feeling the effects of the hard-fought win at Halifax just four days earlier.

It was a clearly a game too far for Haven against the full-timers, after great play-off successes at the Shay and a week earlier, at Leigh.

Super League-bound Salford would have been embarrassed had they had failed to reach the final with an extra three days’ rest, and they knew it.

The City Reds had their wake-up call in their heavy home defeat to Celtic Crusaders last week, and they were never in danger last night, prop Craig Stapleton leading the way up front.

Saia Makisi produced a lung-busting effort for Haven, while Ade Adebisi confirmed his position as the club’s top try scorer, touching down for the 22nd time this season.

Haven lost scrum-half Tane Manihera early with a shoulder problem, Gregg McNally and especially Leroy Joe stepping up to the mark in his absence.

But the hosts took charge early, long-serving prop Paul Highton barging over off Stapleton’s pass after Haven were caught offside. John Wilshere slotted the first of his nine goals.

Malcolm Alker’s 40/20 handed the hosts a fine attacking position on 10 minutes, Jordan Turner crossing under heavy pressure from Makisi.

There was a suspicion the loose-forward had bounced the ball, but video ref Steve Ganson had no doubt and awarded the try.

Wilshere has proved one of Salford’s top talents this term, and it was his break down the right that led to his side’s next try, his inside pass putting Luke Adamson over the line.

Haven then conceded another penalty when Ryan McDonald pushed Stuart Littler, and Adamson was held up out wide.

On the next tackle, Richard Myler lofted a high ball to the corner, winger Paul White swerving past Adebisi to touch down.

With only 17 minutes on the clock, Haven were 24-0 down. But to their huge credit, they did not give up, and on 23 minutes had their reward.

Joe feigned a long pass and fed a charging Spencer Miller, who shrugged off weak defence to cross, McNally converting.

Haven enjoyed their best spell of the half around the 30-minute mark, with three consecutive sets, but there was no way through a stubborn Salford line.

Instead it was Shaun McRae’s side next on the scoreboard, young Myler cutting inside the defence to go between the sticks.

With Haven 30-6 down, McNally tried to force a play, running after dummying to kick, only for his subsequent pass to be intercepted by Wilshere, who had a clear run to the line.

The incident clearly did not upset McNally as the outstanding prospect then put in a fine kick for Craig Calvert to chase from a scrum. But the winger could not take the ball cleanly.

The City Reds continued to dominate, and crisp passing down the line saw winger Mat Gardner cross in the corner on 39 minutes.

Wilson’s conversion put the home side 42-6 up at the interval.

Haven looked tired in the opening exchanges of the second-half, Turner scoring out wide, despite the attentions of McNally and John Patrick. And Stephen Bannister then charged in to a big gap off Stefan Ratchford’s pass.

Yet the Cumbrians found a second wind for the final half-hour of their season, young sub Marc Shackley scoring his debut try.

It came after good work from Patrick and Makisi, McNally then squeezing out a pass from the tackle to his fellow teenager.

Ian Sibbit added to Salford’s tally on 58 minutes, after more good work from Myler and half-back partner Robbie Paul.

Adebisi replied six minutes later, touching down Joe’s kick fractionally before it rolled dead. McNally was again on target with the kick.

In the closing moments, the versatile Wilshere put in a short kick for Bannister, who had the final say.

It was not the best way for Haven to end their season, but the defeat did nothing to detract from a successful campaign for Ged Stokes’ men, who will no doubt make a strong bid to go one game further in 2009, when they won’t have Salford breathing down their necks.

MATCH FACTS

Haven: Broadbent, Calvert, R Jackson, Patrick, Adebisi, McNally, Manihera, Edmondson, Joe, Fatialofa, Miller, Barker, Makisi. Subs: Gorski, McDonald, Shackley, M Jackson
Tries: Miller, Shackley, Adebisi; Goals: McNally 3

Salford: Fitzpatrick, Gardner, Littler, Wishere, White, Paul, Myler, Highton, Alker, Stapleton, Sibbitt, Adamson, Turner. Subs: Ratchford, Bannister, Leuluai, Jewitt
Tries: Highton, Turner 2, Adamson, White, Myler, Wilshere, Gardner, Sibbit, Bannister 2; Goals: Wilshere 9

Attendance: 1,871

Referee: Richard Silverwood

Star Man: Saia Makisi