A breakdown in communications led to Whitehaven fielding just 16 players at Oxford on Sunday.

Karl Olstrom did not make the travelling squad for the long trek south, so Haven went into action with only three players on the bench.

Chairman Tommy Todd said: “It was all down to a mix up in communications.

"Karl thought he had let us know he wasn’t available at the weekend, while we thought he was okay for the game.

“By then, it was too late to call up a replacement for the trip.”

The Whitehaven party had left on Friday to stay overnight ahead of the game.

Despite having fewer options on inter-changes, Whitehaven swept to a convincing 48-12 victory to stay joint-second.

Todd said: “The result flattered Oxford because we totally dominated the game and could have had a good few more points.

“We were stronger in all areas of the field, with our player-coach Carl Forster putting in another man-of-the-match performance.

“He has 10 tries now, is our top scorer and is leading the side from the front.

“His second try was a bit special.

“Karl could have ploughed through the full-back to score but produced an outrageous side-step to go past him.

“I think the squad is really gelling together well and getting better match by match.

“But there is still plenty of rugby to be played before we meet Barrow in the final game of the regulation season.”

Whitehaven host Gloucestershire All Golds this Sunday, and they will be travelling north on the back of a 56-10 hammering at home by Newcastle Thunder.

Barrow, who share second place with Haven, have one of their more testing games as they travel to fourth-placed Doncaster.