Whitehaven's
1999-2000 season the Promising Early games

 

Hull KR 22 - Whitehaven 14

Though they lost by 22 pts to 14 the Warriors produced a committed away display, which coach Kevin Tamati afterwards described as encouraging. With David Fatialofa and Rob Purdham back after injuries the team had a much more solid look Despite the long journey the Warriors gave a solid defensive display in the first half restricting the Rovers to just one score The Warriors replied with Scrum half Mark Keenan grabbing the Cumbrians first try with a 70 yard run to touchdown. Kevin Hetherington converted and the teams went in all squares at the break - 6-6. After the restart Hull punished several Warriors mistakes extending their lead to 22-6 by scoring two second half try’s before Whitehaven winger Neil Fraser scores a late try converted by Kevin Hetherington to leave the Warriors defeated but certainly not disgraced. A better display and scoreline than many expected it should go some way to restoring confidence following last week's home defeat by Swinton. With more players coming back from injury such as Mark Cox, Wesley Wilson and Aaron Lester officials and supporters will be looking for more consistency from the team. Consecutive home games against Keighley, Doncaster and Dewsbury are all patently winnable and arguably will make or break the season.
Reports Dave Farrell
Whitehaven 16-Swinton 20

The Whitehaven Warriors winning home run stretching back to last August finally came to end as they lost to Swinton Lions by four points (March 5). Recent games between the two clubs has seen the Lions win four of the last five games and with Haven still without their first choice front row this clash always looked to be a tough one for the Warriors .In truth that’s just how things turned out, from the start the game was littered with unforced errors and regular penaltys as a below strength Warriors struggled to find any real rhythm though they did score first through an opportunist try from Craig Walsh and with Kevin Hetherington adding three goals the Cumbrians just about deserved their 10-6 interval lead. The visitors however stepped up the tempo of the game in the second period and scored three well taken trys, though it must be said that at times the Warriors defence looked to wafer thin. Having establish a 10-20 lead Swinton looked to be cruising to victory. A late rally by the Warriors produced a try from substitute Graeme Morton to bring the Warriors back within one score the visitors but it was too little ,too late for Whitehaven as they went down to their first home defeat of the season . Though clearly missing the likes of Fatialofa, Lester etc this was still a disappointing result though the loss of forward Dean Vaughan was pivotal. He received a nasty facial injury the result of a dubious tackle just before the interval and never resumed. Up to that point he had been the outstanding forward on view, after his departure the Warriors pack lacked real punch allowing the visitors to get into the game early in the second half. Attendance 927
Writes Dave Farrell
Rochdale Hornets 20 pts Whitehaven Warriors 22


The Whitehaven Warriors finally gained that elusive first away win (February 20) , defeating Rochdale by two points thanks to a late fightback . A Vintage performance it certainly was not, but at ¾ time the Warriors trailed by 20 pts to 4 and had lost a full front row , with Mark Cox Aaron Lester and David Fatialofa plus Centre Andrew Nelson all leaving the field injured , at that point not even the most optimistic fan would have expected anything other than a defeat . The Warriors got of to a solid start scoring first through in form winger Neil Fraser but then surrendered the initiative to Rochdale who held a 20 pts to 4 lead on the hour mark .Then came the fight-back with trys by Mark Keenan , Craig Walsh and Kevin Hetherington but it was three Kevin Hetherington goals , two from wide out , that sealed a win that looked out of the question on the hour mark . Afterwards coach Tamati agreed it had not been a good performance but who cares ? You get nothing for playing well and losing and this long overdue away result moves the Warriors into the chasing pack in the NFP . However with the injuries they have taken today can we consolidate this in the next two weeks when Batley and then Swinton visit the Recreation Ground ?
Reports Dave Farrell
AROUND 6,500 saw Superleague giants Wigan beat Haven 98-4 at the new JJB Stadium on Sunday, February 13th.
Games don’t come any harder than a rampant Wigan who have won the cup a record 16 times. Whitehaven's sole try came in the first half from Lee Kiddie. Cumbrian neighbours Wath Brow will be had a slightly happier ride home after they were only beated 44-18 by the Broncos.
The only consolation for Haven was denying Wigan a century on the scoreboard.

JUST five weeks after he took on the job, John Rowlands, has resigned as Chairman of Whitehaven RL. In a public statement he placed some of the blame at the feet of players whom he claimed declined to take a £100 cut from their match bonus when they defeated amateur side Shaw Cross.
He described this as a "lack of support" but then goes on to say he "holds no ill-feelings towards the players.''
He also hints that he only obtained information on the club's finances "piecemeal".

Whitehaven Warriors13 Widnes Vikings 6

The Whitehaven Warriors turned in another impressive home performance defeating the highly rated Widnes Vikings by 13 pts to 6 . In a pulsating game the Cumbrians had too just too much teamwork and commitment for the visitors who could have no complaints over the final result .The Warriors took an early lead when Lee Kiddie followed up his own kick through to score Kevin Hetherington converted 6-nil to the Warriors . Widnes then applied sustained pressure on the home line and after 22 minutes Vikings dangerman Paul Mansson went over for a converted try to level the scores. For the remainder of the first half the visitors held the advantage but just on the stroke of half time the Warriors delivered a killer blow . Winger Neil Frazer took a pass on his own 30 metre line and scythed through several Widnes tackles before sprinting clear to score a superb individual try . Kevin Hetherington added the points and the Warriors had established a useful 12-6 interval lead The Cumbrians dominated the second half and were unlucky not to extend their lead with Neil Frazer and sub Craig Walsh both having scores disallowed . Widnes only rarely threatened the home line but it wasn’t until Kevin Hetherington landed a drop goal in the 78 minute that the win was secured sending the home fans home in good heart .
And for those of you who missed it here's that memorable run by David Seeds again!

Whitehaven Warriors 42 Shaw Cross Sharks nil


The Whitehaven Warriors registered an easy victory (Jan 30) in the Silk Cut Challenge Cup 3rd round tie over Yorkshire amateur side Shaw Cross Sharks. Missing through injury for the Warriors was Rob Purdham, David Fatialofa and Graeme Morton. Taking their places were Lee Kiddie and Craig Walsh both in the first team again after suspensions while Dean Vaughan earned a recall after being ommited last week. On a muddy pitch the Cumbrians not only overcame poor ground conditions but also a spirited display from the visitors to score five unanswered first Half trys through Neil Frazer (two), Colin Armstrong Aaron Lester and Mark Keenan plus five goals from Kevin Hetherington. Leading 30 nil at the break the Warriors just about had the tie wrapped up. However a determined defensive rearguard by the Yorkshire men plus worsening ground conditions restricted Whitehaven to only two further scores, one from David Seeds and a second from Mark Keenan plus another two goals from Kevin Hetherington completed the scoring as the Cumbrians easily progressed to round four of this competition. Kevin Hethrington with a 100 % goal kicking record on the day (7 goals from seven attempts) rightly received the man of the match award and the Warriors now await the fourth round draw that will be made this evening hoping they can draw Super League Opponents at home in the next round.
Writes Dave Farrell

Lancashire Lynx 22 Whitehaven Warriors 12

The Whitehaven Warriors roller coaster season continued with yet another disappointing defeat away from home (23 January 2000) , losing to lowly Lancashire Lynx with a display that coach Kevin Tamati afterwards described as garbage!! In the final analysis the Warriors only had themselves to blame for the result . In the first half they squandered numerous scoring chances notably through Robert Purdham and Howard Hill who made several clear breaks that came to nothing . Despite this the Warriors still led 6-4 at the interval thanks to Aaron Lester try and a Wayne Kitchin goal The feeling was that we could not play as bad in the second half . After 56 minutes a converted try from Kevin Hetherington plus another penalty extended the Cumbrians lead to 12 - 4 and it looked as though we might just be getting on top . Then the Warriors just lost the plot. A bemused Whitehaven team seemed unable to stymie a Lancashire revival as the home team score three trys in the last quarter of the game to register their first win of the campaign and leave the Warriors team boss Kevin Tamati very unhappy. While the Warriors away form has been disappointing this defeat was particularly hard to take , and on this showing a number of players on view today may well find themselves playing in the reserves next weekend.Writes Dave Farrell

Alliance team News The one bright spot over the weekend was the fine 40 -14 win over Featherstone Rovers by the Warriors alliance (reserve)team. The Warriors have completed the signing (January 19) of 20 year old Paul O'Neill, a full back and yet another signing from Kells. He was recently selected for Cumbria BARLA open age team. Paul played for the club's academy team with Alan Bone, Andrew Nelson, Stephen McCourt etc and it was perhaps inevitable that he would follow his former team mates to the Recreation Ground. At just over 6 ft., speed and with good skills he has all the attributes to become a first rate pro.

Whitehaven Warriors 26 Leigh Centurions 6

The Whitehaven Warriors posted a convincing win over the highly rated Leigh Centurions to confirm coach Kevin Tamati's comments that his team would be genuine contenders this season. This was a game neither side could afford to lose and in an even first half there was little to choose between the two teams . Trys for the Warriors from Neil Fraser and Andrew Nelson edged the Cumbrians into a 8 pts to 6 half time lead. Just one minute into the second half the Warriors extended their lead when full back David Seeds sprinted 90 yards to score on of the best touch downs seen at The Recreation in years . From that point the visitors had a mountain to climb against a Whitehaven team that warmed to their task . Oozing confidence The Cumbrians out fought and outplayed the visitors with further trys coming from Aaron Lester and Matt Lynch plus two conversions from Kevin Hetherington to seal an important win. This was a great team performance with all 17 players doing their bit , however the form of brothers Robert ( stand off ) and Gary Purdham ( loose forward) in their first full season as pros is tremendous and bodes well for the future. Finally in his chequered seven year career with the club Kiwi forward George Suafoa has never played better than he did today. Match highlights from Dave Farrell

Oldham 26 pts v Whitehaven Warriors 22pts


A committed and enthusiatic performance by the Whitehaven Warriors was not enough to give them victory over the previously undefeated Oldham but they came very close!
Ten points adrift midway through the first half the Warriors fought back with tries through wingers Garry Ruddy and Neil Fraser plus a Wayne Kitchin goal to trail 10-8 at the interval. Three second half touchdowns by Aaron Lester, Wayne Kitchin and a second from Neil Fraser saw the Cumbrians holding a slender 2 point lead as the game reached its closing stages. Then however a debatable penalty against Whitehaven gave Oldham a golden opportunity to take play down field and score to regain the lead and deny the Warriors at the death. Certainly a vast improvement on the Barrow game with the whole team playing well, notable individual performances coming from prop Mark Cox before retiring injured and Aaron Lester. In the final analysis however a lack of a consistent goal kicker proved costly. The Warriors only kicked one goal in the entire 80 minutes and that as much as anything cost them the victory they undoubtedly deserved.
Writes Dave Farrell.

Alliance Team match report for Saturday 8 January
Whitehaven Warriors 16 Oldham 18 FLUID playmaking from Haven and fumble fingering by the visitors gave Whitehaven a 42-0 walkover against Workington Town on Sunday, January 2.
Although Aaron Lester was chosen as Man of the Match, praise should be shared with Seeds, Nelson, Cox and the Purdham brothers. Fats proved a steady pair of hands in the centre.
Kicking was adequate from Kitchin but Haven eased off the accelerator in the second half. But their defences held solid throughout the occassional forays into their half. Town were let down by lacklustre passing, sometimes straight into a pair of waiting Haven hands. Try scorers were Nelson (2), Seeds(2)Lester, Morton, Fraser and Garry Purdham.
In the post match celebrations came a board room confirmation that John Rowlands from ROMAR WORKWEAR is taking over as chairman. Ralph Calvin remains director but will be busy with his work for the RLFC.

GRIM start to the season as Haven goes down 31-4 away at Barrow on Boxing Day. Neil Frazer was Whitehaven's sole try scorer.
Travelling down the coast to Craven Park were: Seeds; Frazer; Nelson; Hill; Hetherington, Kitchin, Armstrong; Lester; Fatialofa; Chambers; Morton; Bone. Subs: Keenan, Purdham and Cox.

 

 

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