Whitehaven have been relegated from the Rugby League Championship.

Today's narrow 20-18 defeat at Oldham has confirmed the fate of the west Cumbrians.

Fans had been optimistic that they could pull off a victory to take their campaign against the drop to next weekend's final game of the season against Swinton.

But it wasn't to be as Oldham ensured they would remain in the Kingstone Press Championship next season.

Haven arrived at Bower Fold knowing anything but victory would send them down and, while they launched a late fightback, they will join fellow Workington Town in League 1 next season.

The visitors had led through Ugo Perez’s unconverted score after three minutes, but Oldham got the next three tries to open up a 20-6 lead that proved too much.

Lewis Palfrey converted tries from Phil Joy, Liam Thompson and Adam Clay, as well as kicking over a penalty, as the Roughyeds moved into position to retain their place in the second tier after promotion last season.

Haven charged back, though, with converted tries from Liam Carberry and James Newton bringing them to within two points with 20 minutes to go, but Oldham held firm.

Workington inflicted Bradford’s first defeat of the Championship Shield, 30-26, thanks to a hat-trick from Jarrod Sammut.

Town’s relegation was confirmed after a 62-0 mauling by Sheffield Eagles last weekend, but they bounced back for a win to fill them with hope ahead of next season.

Sammut was the architect against his former club with 22 points while Marc Shackle and Theerapol Ritson both dived over.

Bradford’s tries were scored by Mitch Clark, Ethan Ryan, Ross Oakes, Kieran Moss and Dale Ferguson while Joe Keyes kicked six points.