Whitehaven coach Gary Charlton and his staff had to come out with a few home truths at half-time to produce a positive result against London Skolars.

Haven had played poorly and were level 6-6 at the break but, after a dressing-down during the interval, they responded superbly to score 26 unanswered second-half points to win 32-6.

Charlton said: “It just wasn’t good enough in the first-half and we were very lucky to be on terms going into the break.

“We weren’t happy at all with what we’d seen.

“We are much better than what we saw in the first half and they had to be told a few home truths. It needed a reaction and I’m pleased to say we got it.

“I think the introduction of both Carl Forster and Dion Aiye had a positive effect and they helped changed the game round.

“London Skolars are a good side and they just don’t go away. So for us to keep our line intact during the second-half and score four more tries was encouraging.

“Reaching the top of the league has been an achievement but we want to make sure we are still there at the end of the season. Performances like the first-half and we won’t be.”

Forster, on his first game back in Whitehaven colours at the Recreation Ground, received the official Man of the Match award, edging it from Dion Aiye. Both players had played key roles in the Haven revival – from stuttering ineptitude to fierce determination – which set up the 32-6 victory.

It will be training as normal this week – Wednesday and Friday – and then the players will be told to enjoy their time off over the weekend when Whitehaven do not have a fixture.

They return to the Recreation Ground on June 9 against Coventry Bears, a game which will bring up the halfway stage of the season.

Jessie Joe Parker (knee) and Jake Carter (neck) who missed the game on Saturday expect to be fit to resume against the Bears, as does prop Ethan Kelly who broke his arm two months ago