By Martin Morgan

Last updated at 12:56, Monday, 08 February 2010

Keighley 17 Whitehaven 16: Whitehaven’s delayed start to their Northern Rail Cup campaign proved not to be worth the wait. For the second week running, following last week’s success at Blackpool, the Cougars proved comeback kings.

Marc Jackson

But Haven had only themselves to blame for losing a match they were well capable of winning.

They appeared to be moving in to top gear after going 16-10 up on 56 minutes, only for Keighley to reply with a try that exploited a huge hole in their defence.

With the scores tied going in to the closing moments, Carl Rudd had a chance to potentially win the game with a drop-goal attempt, only for the ball to rebound off the crossbar.

And after Graeme Mattinson fumbled from dummy-half moments later, Danny Jones stepped up to convert the one-pointer that won it for the hosts, who showed their delight on the final whistle.

It was a shame the error came from Mattinson, Haven’s top performer on a day they would rather forget.

Prop Kyle Amor was also strong and Marc Jackson showed up well, but there were far too few positives for the Cumbrians, who showed negligible creativity or flair over the 80 minutes.

Mattinson had been called on early to retrieve a sticky situation after Craig Benson had spilled the ball in attack. Centre Daley Williams raced around 50 metres before the hooker, showing impressive pace, took him down.

Later in the set, James Feather waved away the kicking tee in front of Haven’s sticks as he opted to run a penalty – and promptly knocked on as he dived for the whitewash.

Mattinson made no mistake on six minutes, crossing from close range on the short side and Rudd adding a fantastic touchline conversion.

Two Jones penalties kept the Cougars in striking range and Haven then lost skipper Leroy Joe with an ankle injury.

Keighley were edging their way back in to the game, sub hooker Jermaine Wray causing problems, and after big Brendon Rawlins was held up over the line, James Haythornthwaite latched on to a stabbed kick to reply.

The touch judge seemed less than convinced, as were Haven fans, who were sure the ball rolled dead before being touched down, but the try was awarded.

Jones converted and then looked to have added a try next to the posts, only for ref Mr Brooke to pull back the play for a Cougars scrum on Haven’s 20 metre line.

Keighley enjoyed the better of the early action after the break, though it was Haven who struck first, Mattinson’s outstanding long pass creating space for Craig Calvert to dart over in the corner.

Seven minutes later, Mick Govin worked space on the right flank and put Derry Eilbeck in the clear.

As the cover closed in, the winger did well to find Spencer Miller on his inside for another score, Rudd converting.

Haven should now have pressed ahead, but instead they switched off and allowed Keighley back in to the game, full-back Dan Belcher hitting a pass at pace and going between the posts without a finger laid on him.

Jones booted his side back on to level terms and had the chance to put them ahead with a 38-metre penalty goal as the clock ticked down.

For once, his kick drifted wide, but he held his nerve moments later to spark jubilant scenes at Cougar Park.

In all likelihood, Haven can still qualify for the quarter-finals but can afford no more such dismal efforts.

Another performance like this one against visitors Batley on Wednesday night and their NR cup hopes will be over for another season.

Haven: Benson, Eilbeck, R Jackson, Thornley, Calvert, Rudd, Skee, Amor, Mattinson, Ford, S Miller, Hill, Joe. Subs: Govin, MacDonald, M Jackson, D Miller

Tries: Mattinson, Calvert, Miller; Goals: Rudd 2

Cougars: Belcher, Moss, Burton, Williams, Raynor, Presley, D Jones, Shickell, Feather, Law, R Jones, Pursglove, Sagar. Subs: Haythornthwaite, Wray, Rawlins, Benjafield

Tries: Haythornthwaite, Belche;  Goals: D Jones 4 plus one DG

Referee: P Brooke

Attendance: 756

Star Man: GRAEME MATTINSON

First published at 11:25, Monday, 08 February 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk