Tough, but no problems!
By Dave Farrell
Date: 8/3/2001

Featherstone 10 - Haven 19 (6-6)
After the epic cup tie against the Saints there were two questions that were on my mind and probably most Whitehaven supporters : Could we be consistent and carry that form over into their next league games ?
Would the team miss the key players who have joined the injured list in recent weeks.
In the end both questions were answered emphatically to everyones satisfaction with this very work-manlike and professional display over high flying Featherstone Rovers

With a number players missing through injury, it was a re-arranged Haven team that took the field . Leroy Joe at 7 Aaron Lester at no 6., Marc Jackson at 9 Big Phil Sherwen in the second row and Jonathan Wignall on the wing . Not surprisingly the Haven struggled to find any real pattern in the first half.They dominated the game territorially but lacked a real attacking edge .However they still went in 6 all at the interval thanks to a Jonathan Wignall Try , diving over in the corner plus a Marc Jackson goal.

After the interval the Cumbrians clicked into gear and produced a thoroughly professional performance. The introduction of Robert Purdham to stand off with Aaron reverting to loose forward may have had the desired effect. Marc Jackson caught the eye with two second half touchdowns , both the result of good support play near the Rovers line . And with Jacko adding the conversion to his own scores plus a Leroy Joe adding a drop goal the home team ran out comfortable winners ., thus maintaining an unbeaten league record stretching back to mid january.

A really solid workmanlike performance from 1 to 17 and this despite a number of absentees through injury. We now move up four places in the NFP table and a look at the forthcoming fixtures suggests we could be in the play off positions by Easter if we can continue this form.
Read more on this well fought game....

Haven squad:O'Neil, Campbell, Seeds, Hill, Wignall, Lester, Joe, Cox, Jackson, Fatiolofa, Miller, Sherwen, G.Purdham, Subs R.Purdham, R.Campbell, Smith, Vaughan (all Used).