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Highlights 2002
Haven Imortals

Whitehaven RL
Recreation Ground
Coach Rd
Tel 01946 692915

Fax 01946 695805

Travel for away fixtures contact Steve Shepherd Tel. 07740867495.

Action pictures can be purchased from photographer Mike McKenzie

Getting to the ground / club history / away coaches / Map of area /
Recent History/ The Imortals and Hall of Fame

Roundup on action early in the 2003 season...

Whitehaven 54 (16) Dewsbury 10 (6)
Tries came from Hill (2), Hutton (2), Joe, Jacko, Steve Wood, Lester and Fatialofa.

In the end an emphatic victory for the Haven , secured on the back of a tremendous second half display , and a deserved place in the Arriva Trains Cup semi Final .

The first half wasn't a great spectacle for the 1500 fans who turned up ,as Haven made too many mistakes and gave away possesion to the Yorkshiremen .It was 6 all on the half hour mark with Cumbrians only try coming from Glen Hutton plus a darren Holt goal , just before the break Haven added tries from Leroy Joe and Mark Jackson to establish a flattering 16-6 half time lead .
The second half was a differant story as a rejuvinated Haven totally out classed the visitors It was one way traffic as Haven scored a further 6 tries through Howard Hill (2) ,Aaron Lester, David Fatialofa ,Steven Wood with Glen Hutton bagging his second of the afternoon the scoring was completed with a total of 9 goals from kicker Darren Holt .
A number of eye catching individula performances with David Fatialofa getting the official man of the match award, though Howard Hill and Leroy Joe both had outstanding games .
Haven now travel to face Leigh Centurions in the Semi Final on June 8 th .A tough game and one where they will definitley be underdogs however there is a steely determination to go one better than last season when they lost in the semi final to Hull KR . If they can reproduce today's second half form then Steve McCormacks men could well progress.
D.F.
Fielded: Gary Broadbent, Steve Wood, David Seeds, Howard Hill, Glen Hutton, Leroy Joe, Darren Holt, Gary Smith, Aaron Lester, David Fatialofa, Dean Vaughan, Spencer Miller, Gary Purdham
Subs: Lee Kiddie, Marc Jackson, Carl Sice, Ryan Campbell
Referee: Karl Kirkpatrick
Attendance: 1503

Excitement and Div One Points
Haven 26 (16-2) 2 Hull KR
All the action....
In blustery May winds Haven walked all over the visiting Yorkshiremen.

Unbeaten Record continues

Haven 28-20 (16-8) Chorley
Action from the game
Once again Leroy Joe earned the Man of Match accolade. He opened the scoring in first half of this error prone performance by a Haven squad that failed to seize total control.

Joe's opener was converted by Holt. But soon Redford responded for Chorley, converted by McCulley. Chorley then inched ahead from a penalty. The off-side rules didn't seem to apply for much of this first half as Chorley players took breathers regardless of where the ball was being played. Nippy Holt created a try and also converted his own effort. Skipper Aaron Lester then took charge to set up a try for O'Neil to leave it 16-8 at half time.
In the second half Holt added a penalty following a neck tackle by a Lynx player.McConnel then made a try for the visitors, this was converted to make it 18-14. Leroy Joe then nipped and tucked to dive through for a solo try , converted by Holt. Wallace got a cheer when he bundled a Chorley defender into touch just five yards out. Sadly this was not capitalised on and Holt took a knock which had him walked off injured. Chris McKinney then dramatically crashed in just by the corner flag. Dave Seeds failed this conversion. Bretherton got a consolation try for Chorley, which was converted. The squad welcomed back Mark Wallace returning after a serious arm injury laid him off for lengthy treatment.
Haven: Broadbent, O'Neil, Seeds, Hill, Wallace, Joe, Holt, Vaughan, Lester, McKinney, Chambers, Morton, Miller. Subs: Kiddie, L Smith, G Smith, Fatialofa.
Chorley: McCully, Ramsdale, Redford, Kilgannon, Garcia, Bretherton, Gambles,Street, McConnell, Whittle, Bloor, Johnson, Hodgson. Subs: Patel, Bradish,Rowley, Parry.Referee: Julian King (St Helens). Attendance: 1,007.

Lions silenced
Four tries from the ever inventive and quick thinking Leroy Joe. Also tries from Aaron Lester, Darren Holt and newcomer Jamie Stenhouse. Holt kicking five conversions in very blustery conditions. Gate was just under 1,000. Referee: Mark Dawber

Squad: Paul O'Neill, Steve Wood, David Seeds, Howard Hill, Jamie Stenhouse, Leroy Joe, Darren Holt, Gary Smith, Aaron Lester, David Fatialofa, Spencer Miller, Graeme Morton, Gary Purdham ; Lee Kiddie, Ryan Campbell, Tony Cunningham, Mike Whitehead
Slow Burn
Haven 36 (12-14) 14 Town

The fans saw a lacklustre first half from Haven that saw Town on top at the interval. In fact the best side won in the first half.
Coach McCormack must have told the lads to stir themselves. Despite the best efforts of Lewthwaite the squad followed Lester's lead and started to rack up a series of tries to lift the spirits at the Kells end. There was certainly none of the well earned excitement of the Brow-Town battle! Among those watching Haven's mixed fortunes was Paul Cullen.

Tries for Haven from Hill, Kiddie, Morton, Tony Cunningham,Lester(2)O'Neill. Man of the Match quite rightly was Aaron Lester.
Barrow
Barrow Border Raiders 18 - 30 Whitehaven
A fairly easy win as Haven confirmed their position at the top of Arriva Trains Cup North Group. Their third straight win in this competition however was not plain sailing as the team seemed to lose their way either side of half time after building up a healthy 18-2 lead in the first quarter .

Paul Oneil opened the scoring in the 3 rd minute as he latched onto a kick fumble by Barrow to open Havens account. Two well worked tries by David Seeds and Graeme Morton, both crafted by Leroy Joe plus three Darren Holt conversions extended the lead to 16 points by the end of the first quarter. Barrow may have upped their game or did haven take their foot of the the gas? You decide !!!!! but the remainder of the first half remained scoreless .

Some anxious moments for the Haven after the restart as a series of unforced errors presented the Barrow winger Marshall with two touchdowns . Both were converted and Barrow were right back in it at 14-18.

It was the Haven who showed greater composure as try provider Leroy Joe turned try scorer with two short range tries, plus a further two Holt goals to put the Haven into a matchwinning 30 -14 lead, only for Barrow to score right at the death to make the final score 30-18 .

Another solid performance from the Haven, though you get the feeling that we still have a lot left in the tank .Star men for the Haven, Leroy Joe once again and Graeme Morton. One cause for concern Phil Sherwen left the field in the first half and did not re-appear .
D.F.

Leeds crowd-puller


Rhinos had their expected win in the Cup. 46-6 full time. But Whitehaven were not overawed See all the Action...

Chorley win was Emphatic
Chorley 2-28 Haven



*Meanwhile No slip ups for Haven after an easy 66-6 win on Sunday over visiting Cottingham. Tries for the home side from Seeds (3) Hill (3), Holt, McKinney, Leigh Smith, Phil Sherwen, Miller, Fatialofa and Kiddie.Goal from Holt (5) O Neil (2)
Brow Rampant


Over 3,000 fans were treated to one of the most exciting recent RL contests as Brow had hearts of Lions to beat the pros from Town 13-12...one drop goal from Carl Rudd was the clincher. But later there was controversy...for full details and match report go to sportspecial
Rocking and Rollin
Action pix....
42-6(12-0)
Attendance 1,342
Many new faces in the Haven squad as visiting Gateshead bravely failed to hold the home side.
Ginger haired Gary Broadbent was soon on the score sheet following an opener from Graham Morton.
Newcomer John Lebbon was tireless in trying to exploit opening and got his first Haven try in the second half.
Holt and Leroy Joe worked perfectly together and Mike Whitehead was a real road runner bursting through on several occasions to give Haven excellent yardage.
Holt proved as reliable as Steve Kirbride in slotting home the conversions, even one way out on the wing after Lebbon's touchdown.
Marc Jackson acquited himself well in the second half. He scored twice as did Lester and Leigh Smith. Howard Hill was chomping at the bit for his share but didn't make it onto the scoresheet this time.
All in all Haven showed that with a bit more gelling together they have what it takes to take the cup. Official Man of the Match was Deano, but several other contenders should have been in the frame.
The only let down was allowing the late consolation try for Thunder.
Action pix

Ready for an even better Season...



The League action starts on Good Friday April 18 when we entertain Salford...

What a Waste!

Things have hit such a low at Derwent Park that Town have pulled out of the Boxing Day derby match with their chairman saying the players "won't be fit enough" according to the News and Star.

Super League becomes Possible for Haven

Grant aid and support from Copeland Council and Rugby League opens up possible SL standard stadium to put Haven on the map as THE place for top level RL in Cumbria...

Signings...full house at 31

Haven have signed Gary Broadbent (26) from Salford. Broadbent hails from Barrow originally and is expected to play as full-back.

He joins a Haven side that goes from strength to strength after the signing of ex Warrington ace centre Jamie Stenhouse (Warrington's U-21 player-of-the-year two seasons ago) and ex-Town's Steve Wood.
This followed the long awaited signing of Barrow scum-half Darren Holt on a two-year deal.
Holt, 25, had been torn between loyalty to Barrow - where he lives - and the chance of First Division rugby with Haven.
Director Barry Richardson said Haven were delighted to have signed Darren .


Awards Night
"Better than the Oscars" said Director Des Byrne as supporters cheered on the winners of the season's awards at the Recre on Friday. Among those giving the congratulations was Paul Cullen up to give his support.
Awards :
Leroy Joe rightly won three trophies; Player of the Season; Players Player and Support Group's Player of the Year.
Gary Purdham was Directors' Player of the Year.
Paul O'Neil won Most Improved Player of the Year award. Mark Wallace took the Away Supporters' Plauyer of the Year prize and Ryan Campbell the Academy Player of the Year trophy.

Player Points-last season's Totals
We have updated the final tally of player points...see how the season totals ended. Steve Kirkbride still top point winner but good to see Leigh Smith shooting up the reckoning.
The new Away Strip..Xmas pressy idea solved


Whitehaven Rugby League FC are pleased to announce a extension to their current agreement with Sports Wear suppliers Exito Sports for the 2003 season .Replica jerseys of the new design will be available for the Christmas market. (Price is £39.99 and we are taking orders. A deposit of £15 secures ..orders can be sent to the Club offices at Coach Road)Exito will also produce an exclusive training wear and leisure wear range featuring the club colours and logos .

Whitehaven director Dave Farrell says “The playing kit Exito supplied for the 2002 season proved very popular not only with the players , but also our supporters who purchased the Replicas in large numbers . We are delighted that Exito ,who supply a number of Super League clubs , have chosen to extend their kit agreement with the club, and look forward to a successful 2003 in Exito kit . ”

Steven Newell of Exito Sports said “We have enjoyed our association with Whitehaven, are very pleased to be able to extend it and are looking forward to bringing a greater range of merchandise to the Club's fervent supporters.”'

Its Official
Chairman Barry Richardson on Friday welcomed aboard 29 year old Steve McCormack, another Super League coach bringing his skills to Haven.Barry Richardson said "Whitehaven Rugby League Club are delighted to announce the appointment of Steve McCormack, who's replacing Paul Cullen who did an excellent job for Whitehaven before moving on to Super League Warrington.''Steve was previously coach at Salford - Super League. He's also been Great Britain's academy coach.

See some of the highlights of a great year......2002