Record-breaker Craig Calvert has paid tribute to his centre partner Connor Holliday after reaching a new try-scoring milestone for Whitehaven.

Holliday gave Calvert the two passes that brought his two tries in the first 20 minutes of the game with Featherstone to go past David Seeds’ old record.

“Connor had to give the second pass but he certainly didn’t have to give me the first one.

“He was very unselfish in slipping me the ball to score the try that broke the record.

“It was a great moment between us and I think that we are establishing a good partnership as we get to know each other’s game.

“Connor is improving all the time and I really do feel he has all the ability to go on and become a Whitehaven great,” said Calvert.

The former Wath Brow amateur had levelled with Seeds on 225 last month and Saturday night ended the wait to go beyond that total.

“It’s nice to get it out of the way fairly soon after going level. All I want to do now is stay fit and score a few more tries to help Whitehaven move up the table. I don’t think I have been playing too bad and I definitely think the team is improving, despite Saturday’s defeat,” he said.

Calvert was captain on the night and said his delight at breaking the record was tempered by the 44-22 defeat.

“All you ask for is a rub of the green and we certainly didn’t get that. The touch judge told me he gave Dion Aiye’s try but the referee over-ruled him. When I spoke to Warren Turley as captain he told me to shut-up or I would be off.

“There were other decisions which didn’t go our way and I just felt that we should have been a lot closer to them than the score-line indicates,” he said.

This Saturday Whitehaven entertain Dewsbury who are on the same number of points (eight) as the Recreation Ground side.

“As far as we are concerned this is going to be like a cup final.

“We are scrapping for every point and if we can show consistency through the game and do what we are good at I feel sure we can get two vital points.

“To be honest we should have beaten them at their place so I’m optimistic about Saturday,” added the record-breaking winger.

Dewsbury will go into the game at the Recreation Ground on the back of a 54-4 home defeat by Wigan in the sixth round of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup.

They conceded five tries in the first 18 minutes and were 36-4 behind at half-time.