Highlights 2003
Highlights 2002
Haven Immortals

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

2004 Highlights

A Year of Champions....when Super League beckoned

Grand Final Dream Shattered by one point

Leigh stole the game in extra time with 32-16 win after Haven almost took the prize.

It was 16 apiece at full-time

Half-time saw Leigh ahead by a measly drop goal . Haven tries from Wes Wilson(2) with the game of his life and Craig Calvert. Penalty goals from Nanyn.
HAVEN: Broadbent, Calvert, Seeds, Nanyn, Wilson, Joe, Obst, Jackson, Lester, Fatialofa, Davidson, Hill, Walsh. Subs: Miller, Sice, McKinney, Tandy.
LEIGH: Turley, Smyth, Halliwell, Cooper, Alstead, Duffy, Martyn, Knox, Rowley, Sturm, Larder, Wilkes, Knott. Subs: McConnell, Cruckshank, Marshall, Swann

Tries: Cooper 2, Martyn, Turley

Goals: Turley 6, plus 2 drop-goals. Rowley drop-goal, Martyn one drop-goal

Ref: Ronnie Laughton (Barnsley)

Attendance: 11,005

Previously!
No way through a rock solid defence for visiting Featherstone. Haven tries from big Paul Davidson, Walsh(2), Obst, Wes Wilson and Nanyn. Gate of 2,300 plus. Man of Match was Craig Walsh.

No way Through at Leigh
Haven were almost ahead at half-time, but it was not to be.
Final score Leigh 30 (14-14) 16 Haven.
Elimination semi at the Recre Sunday October 3.

Wet and Slippery Slog
Haven 24 (8-12) 16 Featherstone
A crowd of just over 2,000 had to watch as for a crucial early second half 15 minutes the home side were log jammed 12-12 by Featherstone. The visitors were nippy on their feet in the greasy conditions and Haven's defences often took four or fives slipped chances before each attack could be floored.

Once again Sam Obst was superb and rightly M of Match, but Walshy proved equally inspirational in the first half. Once again speedy Craig Calvert was an important rising star in the side. He got one important try after the ball bounced back from the Rover's post and Seeds was able to think quickly and scoop it for a pass to the winger.

Leroy Joes neat kick into the corner was touched down by Seeds.

Apologies to Leroy Joe for our earlier report that he had been sin-binned, in fact the target for the card was Aaron Lester.

We seemed to gift them quite a few too many penalties. After the 12-12 stalemate it was Nanyn who broke the spell and luckily also broke the Rovers spirit.

Tries from Walsh, Calvert(2), Nanyn and Seeds. Nanyn kicked two goals.

Haven: Broadbent, Calvert, Seeds, Nanyn, Wilson, Joe, Obst, Tandy, Lester, Fatialofa, Davodson, Hill, Walsh. Suns Sice, McKinney, Jackson and Vaughan.

Oldham going Nowhere


Watched by over 2,000 fans Haven dominated throughout a slow, often uninspiring game. Newcomer Ryan Tandy earned his spurs with two first half tries that got Waltzing Matilda playing over the Tannoy. He was joined on the score sheet by Sam Obst and Aaron Lester in the first half. The second half saw no points on the board for some 15 minutes and some sloppy play as the summer rains made for slippery conditions. Leroy Joe replied to an Oldham try with a decisive break through. Nanyn kicked all bar one of the conversions. To cap the quiet second period Craig Calvert did another high speed sprint to grab a neat kicked to the corner punt.

Scorers for Oldham were Martin McLaughlin, Lee Dunn and Dodd. Man of the Match was Aaron Lester...Three coaches already full for the big away game next Sunday!

Norman Lofthouse set off ahead of the starting gun to make sure he beat Lee Skelton in a charity dash across the Recre at the interval for Hospice at Home..

Head to Head


Whitehaven's Mick Nanyn and Leigh Centurions' Richard Marshall will be going head-to-head for the LHF Healthplan National League One title when the two heavyweight sides clash at Hilton Park next weekend.

All eyes will be on The Coliseum when this game kick's-off on Sunday 5th September at 3.00pm, as the winner of this fixture is likely to be crowned LHF Healthplan National League One Champions and gain crucial home advantage for the play-off finals. Season honours currently hang in the balance for both clubs. A win for Whitehaven in Leigh's back garden would send them clear at the top of the table with no way of being caught, whilst Leigh have to win all of their remaining fixtures to guarantee finishing in the number one spot.League sponsors, LHF Healthplan brought together Marshall and Nanyn this week to whet the appetite for what is building up to be the game of the season.

Batley 22- Haven 48

Winger Calvert shines

Haven 38- 8 Hull KR
Craig Calvert’s astonishing 100-metre try started from his own try line and an entire Hull side couldn't catch him..against Hull KR yesterday is being hailed as one of the most spectacular ever scored at The Recre.

Howard Hill and Craig Walsh (two tries) also came in for praise in this excellent showing by Haven.

DIRTY DONS DEFEATED
Haven 42 (26-12) 18 Doncaster

Man of the Match Mick Nanyn was everywhere and thanks to excellent feeds from a 'back on form' Leroy Joe he soon had the Dragons struggling to hold their line. The visitors tried a physical intimidation aproach with a series of high tackles, one flooring Nanyn out cold briefly. But Haven would not allow the frighteners to be applied. Doncaster were barely a threat in the second half so ended up using unecessary violence that merely generated extra penalties for Haven and saw one of their heavyweights red carded. Lester was inspirational in the important opening stages of both halves. Sam Obst continues to be brilliant Sparkie that leaves defences looking like they have concrete boots. Speed king Calvert also treated us to a Kells End touch-down. Over 1,800 fans saw this truly quality show. A sunny victory made all the sweeter by the bizarre Leigh result of Nil Points...

Building for the Future

WHITEHAVEN RLFC have the capture of highly-rated Aussie forward Ryan Tandy in a major boost to their bid to bring Super League rugby to West Cumbria. Haven hope to have the 23-year-old prop or second-rower, who weighs in at 16 stones, over from Australia within a few days so he can watch them in action at The Recre on Sunday against Doncaster before making his debut for them at Halifax next week. Tandy played six NRL games for St George last season .
Keighley Win...Obst Strikes Again!
Keighley 16 (4-12)24 Whitehaven

July 25 2004
Tries from Sice, Obst, Nanyn, Leroy Joe and goals from Nanyn (6) and a Sam OPbst drop kick to ensure a suitable finale.

Brow Beaters
HAVEN have signed Wath Brow Hornets pair Carl Rudd and Derry Eilbeck
- two of the amateur game's brightest young talents. Both featured in the Brow's National Cup final win in Blackpool in
May, with stand-off Rudd named Man-of-the-match .

Rudd went on to star for BARLA Great Britain Lions on their tour of
Australia.
Back to Winning Ways!
Haven 30 (4-10) 14 Rochdale
July 11 2004
After a first half slog, dramatic turnaround in round two and debut for Calvert a runaway sucess as he takes two tries. Craig Walsh working alongside Sice in second half to break the Hornets. Tries from O'Neil, Calvert (2) Walsh, Morton and Obst. Man of the Match David Fatailofa

Whitehaven: Wesley Wilson, Craig Calvert, David Seeds, Ryan Campbell, Paul O'Neill, Leroy Joe, Sam Obst, Chris McKinney, Aaron Lester, David Fatialofa, Spencer Miller, Howard Hill, Craig Walsh
Subs: Gary Purdham, Carl Sice, Graeme Morton, Tony Cunningham

Rochdale: Michael Platt, Andrew Saywell, Mark McCully, David Alstead, Chris Campbell, John Braddish, Bobbie Goulding, Rob Ball, Darren Robinson, Gareth Price, Andy Gorski, Darren Shaw, Dave Cunliffe
Subs: Janan Billings, Tommy Hodgkinson, David Newton, Lee Hanson
Referee:Julian King (St Helens)
Attendance: 1654

Robbed by Mr Martyn.
Haven 30- Leigh 34
Cup semi-final
June 27 2004
Haven opened scoring with a penalty and the home side made a promising start but soon Leigh scored against the run of play and Phil's son David Larder scored. He took the opportunist opening after a headbutt on a Haven player that the ref failed to notice.
That man Turley converted. Turley then scored two tries and converted in the stiff breeze.(2-18)

Jamie Marshall then had a wonderful gifted ball from a Leigh mis-pass. He legged it with the Leigh pack baying at his heels. Nanyn converted ((8-18)

A smooth pass from Joe set up Wes to see Haven fight back.
Danny Halliwell responded for the visitors to leave it 14-22.After the turn around Haven fought back and Jamie Marshall again showed pace to score making it 18-24. Tensions rose as Damian Munroe replied making it a nail biting 20-28. Sice had a great chance but Leroy Joe was unable to take the off-load. But soon after the pressure paid off and Sam Obst , who deserved his Man of the Match spurs broke through to score (pictured). Nanyn converted and this plus penalty left it a hung 28-28. A lucky award of penalty gave us the narrowest lead at 30-28 but then Mr Martin went over after slipping the Haven defences.Attendance was 2049 and the big draw winner was Mrs Karen Atkinson netting £10,000.

Welcome Back

Bitter Pill for the Bulldogs
Batley caught Haven napping in the first half, but cheered on by the Kells End crowd the home side took the game by the scruff of the neck and kept play in the Batley half for much of the second period. During the interval the Recre crowd cheered GB and Haven Immortal Dick Huddart on a return visit to the UK.

In the first half Hill scored first for Batley after a Haven defensive error ran the ball into touch. Then Haven's own Hill responded thanks to a feed from Lester. Nanyn converted. But Batley were the more pacey side in this first half and moved the ballabout to generate a try from Richardson after two Haven players failed to tackle him. Eaton converted and then added a drop kick to give the half-time scoreline 8-13.

Initially Batley still moved the ball about better and Bryn Powell scored. This was however the Bulldog's last score as Haven moved up a gear and took hold. The possession stayed largely in the Batley half of the firled from here on in. Nanyn broke the log jam powering across. He converted his own try. Broadbent, who had a superb game throughout, drove in at the corner and nanyn converted (20-17) as the Kells End sensed the game had dramatically turned.

Nanyn scored a further try , followed soon after by a Craig Walsh touchdown. Action pictures

Attendance 1853

Ref. Peter Taverner

Man of the Match for Haven was the ever-improving Fatialofa.

Onwards in the Cup

Batley 16-Haven 22 Thanks to tries from Seeds, Walsh and O'Neil. Nanyn kicked
the conversions.
For some good action shots see the Batley site...
Very Important Away Win
HKR 12 Haven 26
Nanyn silenced critics of his kicking skills by clocking up five goals. Tries from Sam Obst (2) and Fatialofa.
Homecoming for Haven star
Dick Huddart will touch down in town at the weekend after 30 years in Australia. The West Cumbrian second-row, who featured for St Helens and later the great St George team, in Sydney, after leaving the Recreation Ground, is returning home for a holiday and will be a special guest at
Haven's home game against Batley on June 13.

Walkover despite the Ref?

The crowd (gate of 1648) were perhaps understandably baying for Mr Morris's blood at the interval after Nanyn was denied a clear try scored after he had a tap on the ankle and then ran on over the Blue Sox try line. Overall Haven never let the visitors, including a very subdued Jon Roper, see any daylight.

After an initial ten minutes of stalemate it was the ever reliable Seedsy who sprinted home to put points on board. Nanyn converted this but later let slip extra points. Jamie Marshal leaned over to grab a second important touchdown. Halifax were given a penalty which they scored to see it 10-4 at half-time.

In the second period the Laal Aussie dynamo of Sam Obst scored a try from initial play by Man of Match Lester. This was converted. Sice came on for a spell that tok the pace up a notch as Craig Walsh scored. Soon after a Halifax, despite the hard-to-stop Cumbrian Davidson, flagged and Lester drove over making it 26-4 after the conversion.Nanyn then scored a high speed drive in the right corner and Walsh made it a pair just before the happy hooter. More action shots

Donny report
Never an easy place to visit is Doncaster, Dragons coach St John Ellis always has his troops fired up and boy do they make it difficult for you . So to lose this one though disappointing doesn't mean we played poorly, far from it!

The Dons caught us early doors , to use the soccer parlance , going 12-nil up before we found our feet . But we did well to claw our way back into the game , tries from Brett McDermott and Sam Obst brought us back into the game at 12-10 . We certainly seemed to be getting the measure of the Dons when disaster struck when Brett McDermott got involved in a tackle with Marlon Billy and was sent from the field for alleged use of the elbow .

As I say its hard enough at Donny but to lose a man with 60 minutes left to play , well things looked pretty bad for the Haven . The performance thereafter was at least commendable. A try for Mick Nanyn just before the hooter saw us only one point adrift at half time as the Haven team battled heroically to keep themselves in the game .
In the second half the 12 Haven players took the game to the Dragons as Paul Oneil and Jamie Marshall scored two well crafted tries to establish a 24-17 lead .At this point the home side looked pretty ordinary as they made numerous mistakes in the driving rain . You began to think that maybe just the Haven might hold on for a famous win against the odds .

It wasnt to be however, ironically the sin binning of their main play maker Graham Holroyd with 15 minutes remaining ,saw Donny up their game . A tiring Haven started to make mistakes setting the Dragons up for two close range trys that edged them infront, this while both teams only had 12 men on the field Donny 25 Haven 24 . After that Haven visibily tired before your eyes and it was the Home team that scored again to take the points in this pulsating clash .

Ultimately the Crucial event in this game was Brett McDermotts dismissal , the remaining 12 players really put 110 % in to keep us in the game for next 50 minutes , ultimately they ran out of steam in the last 10 and the Dragons took full advantage . If they were honest they will count themselves fortunate to get the points , for with a full 13 on the field I have no doubt Haven would have taken this one .

Sunny Skies
Whitehaven maintain their 100 per cent record with a 38-6 win over Keighley,though the scoreline doesn't reflect the game the visitors pushed Haven hard .With 60 minutes on the clock the score was only 14-6 , however a late flourish from the Cumbrians saw them win a game they never really dominated as expected .

Man of the Match Craig Walsh opened the scoring with a fine individual try then Sam Obst finished some fine passing to extend the Haven lead to 12-nil before the visitors hit back with a try to make the score 12-6 after 20 minutes , indeed it took a knock on to deny the Cougars of an eqaulising score just before half time . Another Mick Nanyn extended Haven half time lead to 14-6 .

The first 20 minutes of the second half the Cougars put the Haven defense under pressure , their 8 point lead looking very fragile . Again a dropped ball denied them a score with the line wide open . But another blistering run on 60 minutes saw Craig Walsh bag his second try of the day to extend the Haven lead to 20-6 and that was the game over as a competition .The visitors efforts took their toll as they visibly tired allowing the Haven to score further tries from Aaron Lester,Graeme Morton and Carl Sice while Walshy bagged his hatrick of tries right on time to seal the win .


All credit to the visitors for a committed display , that at time boiled over , three sin-binnings , Haven deserved their win but still room for improvement if they are to continue their winning sequence at Doncaster next week.

Welcome back
One of the club's most dependable backers has returned to the Board. Welcome back on board to Ron Batty of B and H Motors. Ron has already served Haven as a director for 14 years on previous boards. Also welcome to new director John Rowlandson.

The Draw for the Arriva trains quarter finals once agian sees Haven on the Road , with yet another away tie , their fifth away tie from the last six cup draws . For the second time this season the Haven will travel to Mount Pleasant to take on Batley in this quarter final clash .

A tough game is in prospect as the Bulldogs will see this game as a chance for revenge for their Challenge cup defeat last month , when they claim they played poorly . Steve McCormack while giving the opposition respect will once again expect his team to progress at the Bulldogs expense .
Game will played Sunday 6th June .

Onwards and Upwards
Whitehaven confirmed themselves as NL1 form team with this comprehensive away victory over a plucky but ultimately outgunned Rochdale Hornets.
Haven took an early lead as centre David Seeds crossed after five minutes with Mick Nanyn adding the extras. The 15th minute sin-binning of Rochdale's Anderson proved crucial as the Haven took advantage and Nanyn (2), Paul O'Neil, Sam Obst all crossed with three Nanyn conversions giving the visitors a commanding lead.
Michael Platt responded with a try for the home side but they went into the interval 26-6 down.
Obst danced through for his second try shortly after the restart and the Hornets backline was again exposed as Craig Walsh collected his own kick to score.
All credit to the Hornets they never gave in and Lee Birdseye finished off a fine move with a try he then converted.
Whitehaven responded as Carl Sice collected Obst's astute kick to score a try converted by Nanyn. Howard Hill sent Lee Kiddie through a huge gap to wrap up the scoring.
A very competent display on the road from the Haven, despite several personnel changes the team carried on where they left off against Leigh. Sam Obst again caught the eye while Wesley Wilson had a great game in the number 1 jersey.The strength in depth of the Haven looks like being a key factor in achieving a successful campaign. Already Hull KR and Halifax have faltered, dropping league points. If Haven can maintain their momentum over the next few weeks, heading the NL 1 table in early May looks very likely and deserved.

100% Haven

Workington Town 10 Whitehaven 26

Good Friday 2004
A near 1500 gate turned out for this derby game that had been written off by many in the run up to the game. A classic it wasn't, but there was something for both clubs to take from this keenly fought derby Game.
For Haven: Several fringe players got some game time in a pretty competitive clash and we beat the old enemy despite fielding a much-weakened squad
We maintained our 100 % record in the ATC North Group
For the Town: Their squad gave a gritty display that made a nonsense of the debacle at Barrow the previous week

Whitehaven 74 -16 Gateshead Thunder
April 4 2004
Tries from Kiddie, Obst, Marshall, Lester, Wilson, McKinney, Jackson, Broadbent, Walsh,& Nanyn.
Conversion, Nanyn

And sadly Town lost 48-0 to Barrow

Over 5,300 gate and on Grandstand....Haven gave Superb showing
March 28 2004
After what has been a tremendous day for Whitehaven RLFC, we can only echo Coach Steve McCormacks comments"........the Players effort could not be faulted indeed." Indeed every one gave 110% for the cause and that's all we can ever ask of the players. The result of the game was realistically only what could be expected when a top NL1 club meet a Top four Super league club.

Though matching each other in the early exchanges the normally imposing Haven defence just couldn't stymie a Wolves pack that continually caught Haven on the back foot with quick play the balls and incisive running from the Dummy half. Once they had established a go forward a Sweeping passing movement from a penalty saw winger Wilshere beat the Haven's scrambling defence to open the Wolves account. Haven then conceded another try before a dropped ball near the Wolves line saw Lee Kiddie race over for a try to pin the score back - Haven 6 Wolves 10. Hope for the home team as the half time hooter approached , in the next attack Mick Nanyn gathered a kick through and looked as though he could have scored himself but chose to pass and the opportunity to take the lead evaporated.
Indeed it was the Wolves who struck the Killer blow in first half injury time as Nathan Wood robbed the ball from Gary Broadbent to score a very debatable yet crucial try. 14-6 to the Wolves, was this to much leeway for a brave Haven to claw back ?

To have any chance of making a game Haven had to score first after the break however it was the Wolves who broke Haven hearts with two quick trys from Sibbitt and Woods. Though Mick Nanyn scored a fine individual try after that it was only a consolation score as the Wolves showed real class to romp home 10-42.

Well done to all the lads for giving their all, on today's showing the improving Wolves outfit will be thereabouts at the end of the season. They had that bit extra in every facet of their game , Marginally quicker in speed of though, passing and running, and with key players performing well through out they always had that edge over a gallant Haven effort. The cumulative results of this was that Haven were stretched to breaking point by a very well organised and competent Wolves team that is a tribute to the work Paul Cullen has put in there.

So we now have to move on and much hard work lies ahead .Not for the Haven the futile deception of turning in a good performance
in the midst of a conclusive defeat, other clubs are welcome to that . The events of the last few weeks now means that the Holy Grail of a Super League place is perhaps more sought after now than ever, the club is making rapid strides in many areas, but the lesson from today is that the time, effort and resources must now be invested in the playing side in the years and months to come to enable to the club to take advantage of any opportunities that may be made available to us.
D.F.

Sadly the cup will be staying south of Cumbria this year.

And another young gun, Daniel Smith, signs up...

Raiders Action shots

Grandstand showing

The fantastic win at Batley and the subsequent reward of a home draw with Warrington Wolves was all and more the club could have hoped for. Todays news that the game will be televised live on BBC Grandstand on Sunday 28 March really was the icing on the cake for Players officials and supporters of the club , and is a fitting recognition for the progress the Haven have made on and off the field in recent times .

"We decided that the Whitehaven-Warrington tie had a lot going for it, commented the BBC’s Rugby League editor Carl Hicks.

The BBC will screen a match from Cumbria for the first time since the days of Eddie Waring, who retired from the BBC in 1981. Previous televised games from the Recre included v Bradford Northern in the John Player cup semi final in Jan 1975 and a BBC 2 floodlight trophy game v Salford in Oct 1977

The game will also see ex-Haven coach Paul Cullen return to the club he served so well between 2000 and 2002 . Both the Whitehaven club and Cullen as a coach made significant progress in that time.
Paul welcomed the draw but sounded a warning to his players ahead of the clash .He said they would have to apply themselves much better than they did in the last round against Oldham . Whitehaven player he predicted ".....would become 6 ft 4 inches and bullet proof ..." for the game, warning that if his charges did not apply themeselves properly Haven ".....would stick it on them."

Though still clearly having great regard for his old club Cullen is nothing but professional giving clear warning to the haven that on the day ".....the gloves will be off ."

Meanwhile the club are currently working on the detail for the big day, match tickets will available from the end of the week, and a big promotional marketing effort featuring Haven and Warrington players is being timetabled.

Bulldogs 6 Haven 29

Different Divisions

Town came to the Recreation Ground with spirits high after their recent exploits however their Young Guns had the misfortune to run into a Haven Team playing their best rugby of the campaign thus far .

Two tries in the opening 4 minutes really set the scene on a great day for the Haven and one the Town will want to forget. Throughout the game a valiant but ultimately outclassed Town team had no answer to the Haven, who upped the pace and momentum of the game whenever they chose . The bemused Town defence were left stranded as Lester , Joe and Kiddie prompted the attacking plays that invariably had the visitors would-be tacklers clutching at thin air. Seven first half tries from the Haven must have left Town coach Ged Stokes with an unenviable task of lifting his team for the second half and avoiding potentially a bigger drubbing than last weeks result against Leeds.

Credit to the visitors who made a better fist of things at the start of the second half keeping Haven at bay for 16 minutes before Mick Nanyn went over . But there was to be no second half heroics from the Town this time as Haven scored two further tries to seal an emphatic win though Neil Fraser did bag a consolation effort for the Town late on . Great preparation for the Haven ahead of next weeks big Challenge Cup tie at Batley , a very important game which will really test the teams capabilities but one we are capable of winning on todays showingWhitehaven made light work of visiting Town. Haven showed some good pacey moves and held the visitors on nil points for half the first half. Chris McKinney had to pull out with a shoulder injury early on.
Tries from Leroy Joe, Lee Kiddie (2)(Man of Match), Wes Wilson(2), Garry Broadbent(3) Mick Nanyn, Spence Miller. Action from game

Gate was 2,150...Tickets for the important away game against Batley are £11, details from Steve Shepherd

Batley Next!
East Hull 4 Haven 14
Four tries disallowed and a long journey made for a tough cup game but ultimate victory and onwards towards a big crowdpuller at Haven after we pay a call on Batley.

Thunder chill
Haven eased to a pretty comfortable win at Gateshead in this Arriva Cup - north group game. In a bitterly cold Thunderdome the Haven controlled the game throughout, competing well not only against a lively home team but also the elements that included bright sunshine and heavy snow showers.
Haven opened the scoring with a Mick Nanyn try which he converted 0-6. Then after 25 mins Lee Kiddie went over converted by Nanyn 0-12 Gateshead hit back score in the 28th minute the try scored by Peers converted by Thorman Gateshead 6 - Whitehaven 12

Two tries from the Haven just before the interval from Graeme Morton and then Craig Walsh supporting a great David Seeds break - and with one converted by Nanyn, we went in 22-6 to the good , a scoreline that perhaps didn't reflect the home teams contribution .

The second half started with a second Mick Nanyn try to extend the Haven lead to 6-26 as the Haven dominated proceedings.
Other second half tries came from Graeme Morton, Howard Hill and Spencer Miller while Craig Walsh showed what a dangerous finisher he can be, by completeing a hatrick of tries late in the second half. Mick Nanyn added afurther 4 goals while the Home side added to more tries, to make the final score Gateshead Thunder 14 Whitehaven 54.

A workmanlike performance by the Haven against a spirited Thunder team who payed better than the scoreline would suggest .Official man of the match for Haven was Carl Sice though Lee Kiddie must have pushed him close . DF

Tiger for Haven
The club can confirmed reports on Teletext that they are close to signing Aussie Half back Sam Obst form the West Tigers club .
For more details on Sam go to the following link http://weststigers.rleague.com/profiles/obst.htm
The signing has yet to completed and is dependant on Immigration Procedures being completed, however it is hoped that he will officially become a Haven player very soon . More Details to follow.

Catch Nanyn if you can!

Quite rightly chosen as Man of the Match, Mike Nanyn showed he was unstoppable in just the opening minutes by romping in for the first Haven try. Sadly his kicking skills need some fine tuning and many conversions went begging.

The second try was a Nanyn set-up and pass on to Howard Hill. English had replied for Swinton with neat kick through and touchdown. O'Neill then made it 14-6. A very live wire Brett MacDermott created his own tocuh down just before the half-time hoot. During the break the Recre crowd of just over 1,000 welcomed aboard 16 year old Mark Bainbridge on his three year Haven deal.

In the seond half tries came from Jamie Marshal showed great flair to nip through then kick and score.Again Nanyn missed the conversion.Craig Walsh scored before the Lions got a consolation thanks to Ayres. (28-10)Jamie Marshall took a ball from Nanyn to make it 32-10. Thn O'Neill passed out to Broadbent to score, Steve Wood made the conversion on the final hooter.Match action

Cup News
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 knocked Swinton out of the competition.

Another tricky game , but one we should win if we apply ourselves to the game plan , with a potential money spinner in the next round as the reward

The club will be constructing a new 1,800 seater stand on the popular side of the stadium and when it is
completed it will help lift the capacity on the north side of the stadium to 3,700.

Planned into the new stand development are a function suite, corporate hospitality facilities, press and media facilities, a classroom-creche, dressing rooms and a purpose-built disabled fans viewing area.

When the new stand is completed that, together with other planned works will see the stadium capacity lifted from a little more than 5,000 to approximately 9,500.

Club secretary Dave Farrell said: "We are ambitious club and when our plans are completed it will see our stadium developed to stage where our application to admittance to Super League could be considered if we won a National League Grand Final.

"Our popular side stand was demolished several years ago and we believe that this development will keep the club at the forefront of professional Rugby League not just in Cumbria but in the rest of the country too".

Wet Win
Barrow 18 Whitehaven 32 (6-18)
Four tries from Nanyn proved the club has made a key signing. Haven tries from Nanyn (4) Seeds (2) and Fatialofa. Full details...

Pix:Mike

Gateshead Visit
Whitehaven wound up their pre season schedule with an easy win over Gateshead Thunder .

The Cumbrians took an early 10 nil lead with tries from Brett McDermott and John Lebbon but the visitors worked hard in defence and limited the Haven to one other first half try from Mark Wallace try.

In the second half Haven stepped up a gear and scored tries through Stephen Woods, Gary Smith ,Carl Sice And Howard Hill , leaving coach Steve McCormack with plenty of Selection options ahead of the season opener at Barrow on Feb 1st Season Opener
The 2004 season launch night will be held next Thursday 22nd January in the Haven Club, Hensingham .

Meet the players, Q&A forum, features on the Club Scholarship Squads and the community club of the year award. Procam video will be along hopefully with a Big Screen to show some of the highlights of 2003 season , and club merchandise will be on sale .

It promises to be a great night it gets underway at 7.30 admission is free .

Whitehaven RL Pride on Aussie Gold Coast
Worn with pride around Australia's Gold coast....Whitehaven RL car stickers...Thanks message from fan Harry Cornish: "Many Thanks for the car stickers, they will take pride of place in the window whilst driving round the Gold Coast. Enjoyed standing in the Kells End again to see the game with Manly. Wishing you all a very successful season and look forward to listening to the games on the internet."


Home side Victory in Seat Challenge
December 28 2003
On a bitterly cold afternoon the Haven warmed the hearts of their faithful supporters with a convincing win over a useful Oldham side to take the inaugural SEAT challenge.

The home team got off to the best possible starts . On 2 minutes stand off Craig Walsh showed pace and awareness, using his team mates as a foil to dummy his way over for a try from close range . On a blustery afternoon a seemingly successful Paul Oneil conversion was blown wide at the last moment . 4-nil to the Haven .
The home side continued to dominate matters with Craig Walsh and Spencer Miller playing well. Indeed these two featured in the 10th minute when Graham Morton supported well to score the second Haven Touch down 8 -nil to the Haven .

Haven dominated the rest of the half with Oldham struggling to find any real foothold in the Haven half. Just before the half time hooter, full back Gary Broadbent supported a break from Carl Sice to score by the post . Paul ONeill Added the extras and Haven were well worth their 14-nil lead .

Early second half pressure saw centre Ryan Campbell score to extend Havens lead to 18-nil . After that a Ian Watson led Oldham came back into the game scoring a try through Gareth Barber making the score 18-4 with 20 minutes remaining.Thereafter a very solid Haven defence denied an increasingly lively Oldham team any real scoring opportunities. Making the final score Haven 18 Oldham 4 .


As with the Manly game it is early days yet, but another very confident performance from a Haven team short of several key players. Brett McDermott tackled himself to a stand still , Spencer Miller ran well while Craig Walsh showed enough in the no 6 jersey to warrant further inclusion in this position.
D.F.

The haven line up for the game will be: Gary Broadbent Jamie Marshall Howard Hill David Seeds Paul O'Neill Craig Walsh Lee Kiddie Chris McKinney Carl Sice Mark Jackson Spencer Miller Graeme Marton
Brett McDermott Dean Vaughan Steven Woods Gary Smith Ryan Campbell John Lebbon Gary Purdham

New Signing
He kicks like Jonny W...
Welcome to ex-Hornet ace kicker, Mick Nannyn. With 123 goals last season, Nanyn is top NFP1 goal kicker.

Shirts now in stock
The 2004 Haven replica shirts are now in stock.
Player Ryan Campbell tries out the new design by Exito sports which stays faithful to the club's traditional Jersey designs and colours while featuring the Sponsors logos of Washington , B& H Motors , Bargain Madness and Bar Martinique.

With the price remaining at £40 for Adults sizes, £35 for childrens for the third successive year this represents great value and would make an ideal Christmas present for all Haven Supporters .

The Shirt are on sale both at the Recreation Ground and at the Bargian Madness store in Whitehaven

You can also buy the jersey online by visiting www.moorsports.co.uk
Free car stickers
Now in stock car stickers for marras.co.uk and Whitehaven rugby league..we have already despatched one to a loyal Haven fan in Austalia....to get one free simply email your address and details.

Seat sponsor Friendly for December 28

Band M Motors and Seat cars are backing a friendly as we welcome Oldham on Sunday, December 28 k.o.3 pm.

Haven Farewell
The club were saddened this week to learn of the death last Friday of former player Joe Flanagan at his home in Keighley.
Joe was loose forward in the first ever team Haven team that defeated Hull FC 5-0 in August 1948. He had the distinction of kickig the first ever points for the club in that game. His stay was but a Brief one he returned to his home town club Keighley later in 1948 . But in the passing years he still returned to the club from time to time and only two seasons ago was at Cougar Park when Haven were the visitors .
Tickets 2004

Whitehaven RL have confirmed admission prices for next season , with ground admission going up by £1 from £8 to £9.Announcing this Chairman Barry Richardson said : "This is the first increase since 2001 and is comparable to other NL One clubs, who charged last season, for ground entrance alone, between £9 and £11.
There will be no increase in admission prices for concessions (students and pensioners).

It will remain at £5 and for children under 16, frozen at £2.

Adults can beat the price increase by purchasing their season tickets before December 31, at £98 for the four home Arriva Trains group games and all home NL One games, at a saving of £19. The price from January 1 will be £105, a saving of £12.

Concessionary season tickets will remain at £50, children under 16 at £15.
Season tickets go on sale from today (December 4th) and are available from the Club office at Recreation Ground B&H Motors, High Street, Whitehaven, Barwise Chippy, Kells and Farrell Sports, 46 High Street,Cleator Moor

First win

A very competitive game for the Haven side against the Manly Sea Eagles Development Squad (Sunday November 23 ). Missing regulars, Lester,Joe,Broadbent,Fats,Seeds, Morton and McKinney it was a chance for the other players to shine.
The visitors came into the game unbeaten and with former Aussie international Cliff Lyons at no 6 they looked as though they may cause the Haven a few problems. Indeed it was the Sea Eagles who crossed the line first, a cut out pass from that man Lyons putting winger Latimer in for a well taken try. Howard Hill opened the Haven account and then Craig Walsh showed great awareness and pace to score from about 35 Yards. Paul ONeill's goal made it 10-4 at the half way point.
The Haven dominated the second period playing solid football to enable new comer Jamie Marshall to bag 2 well taken tries along with Craig Walsh, Carl Sice getting the other. Paul O'Neil kicked another goal to make the final score Haven 28 Manly 4
Mention must be made of the Haven Defence in the second period , which was quite outstanding as they repulsed some determined attacking play from Manly most of which came from the Wily veteran Cliff Lyons

Not a bad crowd of 1003, M.O.M went to to Lee Kiddie who certainly benefitted from his European Nations cup duty with Scotland while the two new signings Jamie Marshall and Brett McDermott had very useful debuts .

Haven side was :- O'Neil, Lebbon.Walsh, Hill,Marshall
Wood,Kiddie,Cunningham,Sice,Vaughan,McDermott,Campbell Purdham,
Subs,Jackson,Chambers,Gary Smith ,Miller.

D.F.

New Signing
NEW signing Jamie Marshall has been released early from his Barrow contract and will make his Whitehaven debut in Sunday's (Nov 23 2003)friendly against Australian visitors Manly Sea Eagles (3pm kick-off).
The winger last week signed a two-year deal at the Recreation Ground, but
his Barrow contract runs until November 30, so Haven had to ask the Raiders
to allow him to play.

Choc Blue and Gold


The first opportunity to see the new Whitehaven Home Jerseys for 2004 , once again made by Exito who as well as supplying the New Jersey will be sponsoring the club for Playing Kit and Players team wear to the tune of almost £6,000.

The new design retains the clubs traditional White with chocolate blue and gold Hoops and once gain features Washington Group as the main shirt sponsors . Other sponsor include on this jersey are B&M , B& H Motors-Seat and Bar Martinique who recently won the shirt sponsors draw.

The new replica jerseys will be available for the Christmas Market , delivery expected mid December .

Washington backing Haven
HAVEN have secured a new five-figure sponsorship deal with US
backers Washington International for next season.

The club landed a deal for a fourth year with the United States-based
engineering and construction firm, despite Washington cutting back its
Sellafield operation. Barry Richardson, Haven chairman, said: "Washington's support has been great for us, and we appreciate their faith and willingness to continue with the relationship. It means so much to us to have a major sponsor guaranteed at this stage. They have had very positive feedback about the direction the club is
taking."

More sponsors are also coming forward to back the first division Cumbrians.

Bar Martinique will have its name emblazoned on home shirts next season,
including replicas, alongside that of Washington, after it was first out of
the hat in a club draw. Superdec will appear on the away shirts. Brian's Taxis, Pristine Condition and Harsh Environmental Services each won a pair of season tickets.

Tickets costing £10, which includes a three-course meal, are now available
for a Vice-President's night on November 7.. Phone the club
on 692915 for details. All welcome.

Cumbria let outright Victory slip away
Cumbria almost took a win against the New Zealand squad in the big crowd-puller (gate of 4,000) at Whitehaven on Sunday. It was 18-0 to the Cumbrians at half-time but the Kiwis fought back for the score at the hooter to be 24-24 draw. The teams were: Cumbria: Gary Broadbent, Matt Gardner, David Seeds, Brett McDermott, Ade
Gardner, Rob Purdham, Peter Lupton, Ryan McDonald, Carl Sice, Euan Dowes,
Graeme Morton, Craig Chambers, Howard Hill. Subs: Paul Davidson, Craig
Walsh, Marc Jackson, Jon Roper.

Kiwis: Lusi Sione, Nigel Taumoli, Vila Apu'ula, Hale Va'Asa, Ricky Henry,
Gavin Bailey, Steve Buckingham, George Tuakura, Shane Beyers, Sinaue
Faitala, Jesse Royal, Tyrone Pau, Karl Edmondson. Subs: Aoterangi Herangi,
Wayne McDade, Johnny Limmer, Taylor Pelenise.

A Year of Highs and a few Lows (2003)
Action from the early 2003 season....

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

Pride of Five Lottery draw

The club are delighted at the response to this new lottery membership now up to nearly 1700, but there a re still plenty of memberships available so if you havent joined their still tioem to join. Remember in addition to the £500 weekly prizes there will also be an annual Jackpot prize of £10,000 .


You can get your application form online here at marras.co.uk

Statistics for Marras web site

March 2004
Impressions 9,849
Unique Visitors 5,079
Reloads 2,792
Returns 1,978
Forecasted Impressions 10,306
Forecasted Unique Visitors 5,314

Be seen to be supporting Haven as well as helping the club... For more details contact the club or email webmaster here.







Call at Bargain Madness...they have lots of Haven goodies on sale!