Whitehaven statisticians were delving into the record books after Sunday’s remarkable 56-12 win at Dewsbury.

Chairman Timmy Todd, a lifelong Haven fan, said he could not remember when the team scored nearly 60 points away from home.

He said: “To use a word that seems in vogue now, it was awesome. We scored 46 points in the second-half and I don’t know when we ever did that before, especially as it was away.

“I have not seen such a tremendous forward-driven performance for a very long time.

“Dave Allen and Carl Forster were outstanding, impossible to separate them for man of the match.

“They led by example and the rest followed. We seemed to go through the gears in the second-half so that by the end we were just scoring at will.

“It really has been up-lifting to see how Dave and Carl have stepped-up to the mark for the good of the team, being part of a four man coaching group and then performing out on the field.

“We scored ten tries and nine of them came from forwards, so it really was a dominant display by our pack.”

But Todd, and his fellow directors, still know there is work to be done at Oldham on Sunday to keep the Great Escape bandwagon going to the final day at home to Swinton.

“From where we were a few weeks ago all we were hoping for was to take it to the last game when a win could keep us up,” said the chairman.

Significantly for Haven, their big win at Dewsbury improved their points’ differential so if it came to a countback with Oldham and Swinton they are better placed to survive – provided they win both those remaining games.

As they stand now Oldham are minus 367; Haven are minus 385 and Swinton are minus 407.

Todd, however, said he was genuinely saddened by news that Workington Town were relegated after their 62-0 defeat at Sheffield.

“I’m not one of those people who gloat over a rivals misfortunes. I wanted Town to stay up with us and for Barrow to win promotion as well.

“We had a really happy bus coming home from Dewsbury and I can only imagine the contrast on the Town coach. It’s very sad,” he said.