Nanyn Shines
Barrow 18 Whitehaven 32 (6-18)
February1 2004
In the first game of the 2004 campaign Haven gained a handy win with a workmanlike performance in difficult conditions.

Barrow started the game with the wind and rain at their backs, and used the elements to good effect. Haven were pinned back and had to defend stoutly. A Darren Holt bomb was spilled by Jamie Marshall allowing McClure to open the scoring for the home team. 6 -0 to Barrow

It was all Barrow until the 18th minute when a Barrow handling mistake gave Haven their first real possession. McKinney and Morton took play to the Barrow line, the ball was moved wide before Mick Nanyn went over from short range. A few minutes later it was Nanyn again scoring a carbon copy of his first try. Five minutes later Broadbent made inroads to the Barrow 10 metre line allowing David Seeds to increase Haven lead to 12-6. That's the way the score remained with half time fast approaching - Haven won a scrum in their own half, the ball was moved across the back line and Nanyn still in his own half showed real strength to shrug off two defenders then from about 40 yards he turned on the afterburner to outpace the Barrow defence to score a try that was worth the entrance money alone. A tremendous touchline conversion from Nanyn gave Haven a 18-6 advantage at the hooter.

The second half saw Mick Nanyn score his fourth try, again proving un-stoppable from short range. David Seeds added a second and we were coasting at 26-6. All credit to Barrow, they scored two quick tries pegging the score back to 14-26 and keeping the game alive as a contest. Then Haven hit back with a well crafted try, Lester found the gap from dummy half, Sice supported and passed to Jamie Marshall when he was tackled just short he fed the supporting Dave Fatailofa for a superb score, Mick Nanyn kicked only his second goal of the game to give Haven a 32-14 advantage. Barrow then hit back with a disputed try to make the final score 18-32 to the Haven and send the large contingent of Haven fans back up the coast in good spirits.

A good win which in truth was more emphatic than the margin would suggest, only two goals added on a poor day for kicking. Take nothing away from Barrow though they played in patches well and posed us a few problems at times.
A satisfactory performance from the Haven, we played well in patches had to defend at times but early days yet and still some improvement to come. Four try Mick Nanyn took the man of the match for Haven with Gary Broadbent hardly putting a foot wrong.
While the pack collectively dominated the game once we got into it
D.F.

MICK Nanyn, Whitehaven’s close season recruit from National League rivals Rochdale Hornets, has captured 2004’s first Arriva Trains Cup Man of the Round title following the impressive 32-18 win at Barrow Raiders.

The goal-kicking centre scored 20 of Whitehaven’s points, four tries and two goals, to establish the outstanding personal performance in the opening round of the 2004 Arriva Trains Cup competition.

Whitehaven made it through to the fourth round draw after a lack-lustre showing against amateurs Thatto Heath Crusaders at Knowsley Road. They ran out 26-12 winners.
First half tries from Lee Kiddie and David Seeds, plus three Mick Nanyn goals saw us lead 14-6 at the half .

A good 15 minutes at the start of the second half saw Lee Kiddie get his second try with John Lebbon and Criag Walsh crossing the line, Haven were comfortably ahead at 26 -6 before a late try from the Home side
concluded the scoring .

Not a great performance by Haven though take nothing away from Thatto Heath , whose robust enthusiastic approach knocked us out off any real pattern for long spells .
None the less we took our place in round 4 were we will visit Humberside to take on amatuers once again in the shape of East Hull who yesterday knocked swinton out of the competition.