Whitehaven 30, Hemel Stags 6

Whitehaven duly collected their first League One points of the season but not as comfortably as they should have done.

The west Cumbrians dominated the game for long periods, spending a lot of time deep in the Hemel half without coming up with the points they were looking for.

Hemel rarely got forward enough to spend time with the ball in hand until the closing stages of each half.

It was also disappointing for Haven that they could not keep a clean sheet as the Stags came up with a try in one of those rare spells of possession near the home line.

But the game will be remembered for a try-scoring debut by youngster Jake Bradley, who was selected as a triallist after impressing coach Carl Forster in training.

At 16 years and 303 days Bradley became the youngest player to pull on a Whitehaven shirt and his 57th minute try brought the biggest cheer of the afternoon.

Bradley’s highly promising debut and a really confident performance at full-back from Dan Abram were the pluses for Forster, although he has more injury worries ahead of the Good Friday derby with Workington Town.

Both Stuart Howarth (ankle) and Liam Cooper (knee) were forced off and unable to return.

Haven had got off to the best possible start with a try on five minutes when Lewis Brown forced his way over from close range after good work by James Tilley and Dion Aiye.

Abram, who took over kicking duties in the absence of Jordan Burns, banged over the first of five conversions in a 100% display of place-kicking.

Callum Phillips thought he had scored a second but after discussions with his touch judge the referee disallowed the try.

It didn’t take long, however, for Whitehaven to get in again and Jessie Joe Parker had the strength to get the ball down despite the attentions of three defenders. It was the 98th try of Parker’s British career.

Seven minutes before the break Whitehaven scored again. This time it was another from lose range as Brad Billsborough dived in from acting half-back.

With an 18-0 lead at the break, and with no undue pressure on their defence, Whitehaven looked good for a few more points in the second-half – but they just didn’t materialise.

It took them 17 minutes to score the fourth try but the fact that it was from debutant Bradley made it easier for the fans.

Phillips and Jason Mossop linked before a pass-out from the centre reached Bradley on the touchline. The try still had to be scored but he somehow managed to wriggle out of the tackle on the line, twist smartly and get the ball down.

Before the end he could have had a second but failed to hold Conor Holliday’s pass with the line beckoning.

Before then, however, the Stags had pulled back six points. From close range Jonathan Burns slipped under the tackle to score and Braden Hunter converted.

Immediately Whitehaven responded and Abram crowned a top performance with a clever dummy and dart from 20 metres to go round the cover and score.

A fine conversion from wide-out completed his five out of five with the boot.

Whitehaven: Abram, Bradley, Mossop, Parker, Thompson, Aiye, Phillips, Shackley, Tilley, Brown, Cooper, Gillam, Howarth. Subs (all used) Holliday, Coward, Billsborough, Reece.

Tries: Brown, Parker, Billsborough, Bradley, Abram.

Goals: Abram (5/5)

Hemel Stags: Sherif, Elliot, Hunter, Neil, Fitzpatrick-Parry, Mitchell, Smith, Thornton, Hough, R. Williams, K. Williams, Esslemont, Stock. Subs (all used) Burns, Adams, Taylor, Jowett.

Try: Burns. Goal: Hunter

Penalties: 10-7

Half-time: 18-0

Referee: John Roberts

Crowd: 438