Whitehaven 52 Doncaster 22: Poor year ends with another defeat for Doncaster

The Dons, already relegated to League One, travelled to Cumbria to face a Whitehaven side that needed a win to avoid any possibility of relegation.

Despite having all the early pressure and field position, Doncaster conceded first as Haven half-back Dion Aiye broke through the defensive line and ran 80 metres to score.

Another break led to another try as James Newton crossed and he was followed by Craig Calvert and then Tyla Hepi to give the Cumbrians a 22-0 lead.

Doncaster hit back through Sam Doherty but Haven extended their lead through Calvert’s second try to go 28-4 up at half-time.

Haven raced into a 40-4 lead at the start of the second half thanks to Aiye’s second try and then a 90-metre breakaway try from Ed Chamberlain.

Gary Thornton’s side refused to go down without a fight as they added more points to the board.

Danny Cowling crossed over after finding space on the right-hand side before Whitehaven’s Jessie Joe Parker put Haven 
 46-10 ahead.

Peter Fox broke down the line to set Doncaster up in Haven’s half and Brad Foster was sent over to score.

Haven thought they had the final word with Sam Brooks going over to bring up 52 points for the Cumbrian side, but former Whitehaven full-back Tom Carr touched down next to the posts and the final hooter sounded before Joe McLocklan converted for a 52-22 scoreline.

Whitehaven: Chamberlain, Wilde, Holliday, Taylor, Calvert; Aiye, Gore; Beaumont, Coyle, Chapelhow, Parker, Hepi, Brooks. Substitutes: Newton, Robinson, Davies, Quinn.

Doncaster: Carr, Doherty, Cowling, Welham, Fox; McLocklan, Wilkinson; Groat, Kesik, Spiers, Musolino, Foster, Emmett. Substitutes: Wright, Walton, Carbutt, Gilbey.