Martin Morgan reports from the Recreation Ground

Last updated 20:04, Monday, 28 July 2008

Whitehaven 28 Halifax 12: Whitehaven capped a marvellous month as they put a serious dent in second-placed Halifax’s NL1 title hopes yesterday.

• Video: watch match highlights

Haven try-scorer John Patrick

To send Fax home without even a bonus point was a terrific effort from Ged Stokes’ side, who had to dig just as deep as in away wins over Sheffield and Celtic earlier in July.

Haven faced a huge test of their title credentials going in to the month, but they have passed with flying colours, taking a maximum nine points for their efforts.

As the play-offs loom, they are arguably the competition’s form side, and none of their final four opponents of the regular season will relish facing them in August.

Leroy Joe was Haven’s stand-out performer against both the Eagles and Crusaders, and he again deserved the accolade yesterday.

His short kicking game was sublime, leading directly to all three of Haven’s second-half tries.

Though it’s perhaps best to gloss over his one attempt at a goal-kick, when Tane Manihera was off the field.

Joe, who turns 34 in December, revealed last week that he’s treating every game as if it’s his last, and he looked like he was determined to go out on a high against Fax.

Surely the decision over whether he plays on next season will be left to the Kiwi, as in this form, he must merit another 12 month deal.

The early exchanges yesterday were thunderous, with plenty of high-quality rugby league on show but few chances.

The first came when Joe put in a well-weighted angled kick and centre Mike Ratu was shackled in-goal.

Haven took the lead on 15 minutes, Ade Adebisi scooping up a dropped Fax pass and sprinting 90 metres to score.

Full-back Miles Greenwood, no slouch himself, looked to have the winger in his sights but soon gave up the chase as Adebisi put his foot on the accelerator. Manihera converted to make the score 6-0.

The Yorkshiremen should have hit back when they broke down the left, but second-row Mark Flanagan, on loan from Wigan, ignored support players on his inside and outside and tried to run over Gary Broadbent, the Haven ace taking him down.

Instead, it was the hosts who next found the whitewash, Howard Hill breaking through in midfield and centre Rob Jackson, who is in fine form, supporting on his inside to score, Manihera goaling.

Haven looked to be in control, but the visitors hit back in the last eight minutes of the half.

First to score was scrum-half Ben Black, who rounded the defence as they held off him waiting for a pass.

Then in the closing seconds, after heavy Haven pressure, which prompted two goal-line drop-outs, Graham Holroyd intercepted Joe’s pass on his own line and headed up-field.

When Adebisi tracked him down, the stand-off found winger Lee Patterson, who went under the sticks. Holroyd added both goals to ensure parity at the break.

Fax had their second-half chances, but Haven quickly seized the initiative after forcing a Paul Southern error 40 metres from his line. Joe put in a perfect low kick for Saia Makisi to touch down at the Kells End.

The visitors could have hit back when taking a quick 20-metre tap, but Patterson’s pass, under pressure from Broadbent, went forward.

The Haven skipper was again on hand, with John Patrick, to hold up Andy Bowman over the line as he went for glory.

And Patrick then showed his skill at the other end, leaping highest to take Joe’s outstanding high kick and score. Manihera, now back in action, resumed kicking duties and slotted the extras.

Six minutes later, it was Craig Calvert who out-jumped the defence to get on the end of Joe’s bomb to touch down, Manihera again inch-perfect with his conversion.

On Haven’s next set Marc Jackson was held up over the Fax line, and in the closing moments, the hosts showed their willingness to work as Calvert, Makisi and Patrick trapped Bowman behind his line.

The only downside to the day for Haven was a nasty knee injury suffered by promising young Haven prop David Ford, who was stretched off in the second-half.

But with David Fatialofa just about ready to resume following a stint with the reserves, Haven should not be short of cover.

MATCH FACTS

Haven: Broadbent, Adebisi, R Jackson, McAvoy, Calvert, Manihera, Makisi, Edmondson, Mattinson, McDonald, Hill, Miller, Joe. Subs: Patrick, Gorski, Ford, M Jackson.

Tries: Adebisi, R Jackson, Makisi, Patrick, Calvert;  Goals: Manihera 4

Halifax: Greenwood, Patterson, Ratu, Haley, Gibson, Holroyd, Black, Southern, Coyle, Heaton, Flanagan, Smith, Royston. Subs: Gleeson, Bowman, Varkulis, Watene

Tries: Black, Patterson; Goals: Holroyd 2

Attendance: 1,853

Referee: Mike Dawber

Star Man: Leroy Joe