Last updated 12:04, Friday, 30 May 2008

Whitehaven 26, Salford 22: Never underestimate Haven at the Recreation Ground. Rarely in their recent history has the adage been more apt than last night, when they showed guts beyond the call of duty and emerged with the glory.

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Marc Jackson

On paper, the team on show should have stood no chance against the full-time title favourites.

They were coming off the back of a record hammering at Wigan and a disappointing loss at Batley.

Wracked by injury and suspension, and without their key man Carl Rudd to call the shots, they had two teenagers on debut, plus another rookie on the bench.

But buoyed by an enthusiastic crowd of almost 2,200, who produced a terrific atmosphere, they rose to new heights.

Perhaps the play-off comeback from 18-0 down against Castleford to book their NL1 Grand Final place in front of over 6,000 fans at the Recre in 2,005 shaded it for drama.

But only just. And live Sky cameras were not in attendance that sunny September afternoon three years ago to capture every mouth-watering minute of the action.

Haven have enjoyed some terrific home wins this term under boss Ged Stokes, sending home as losers, Celtic Crusaders and Leigh Centurions. Yet those gallant performances were as nothing compared to last night’s effort.

The City Reds boasted an impressive pack, led by long-serving Paul Highton and fellow prop Craig Stapleton, a regular for Cronulla Sharks in the Aussie NRL last season.

Plus hard-working hooker Malcolm Alker, the first player to make 1,000 tackles in a Super League season.

But they were neutralised by Haven’s forwards, led by the awesome Howard Hill, Karl Edmondson and Marc Jackson, ably supported by David Ford and Graeme Mattinson. And stand-off Tane Manihera gave a masterclass in both goal and tactical kicking.

Gary Broadbent produced his typical captain’s knock from the full-back berth, while teenage debutant Chris Smith showed there will be plenty of competition for the No 9 shirt in seasons to come, and fellow reserve-grade stand-out Danny Barker also got stuck in to the big Salford pack.

But most memorable of all was schoolboy Gregg McNally. Thrust in to the spotlight at scrum-half, he responded with a magnificent hat-trick on debut.

The 17-year-old totally over-shadowed his Salford counterpart Richie Myler, who turned 18 last week and is being talked of as a Super League star of the near future.

It was not hard to see why McNally is being tracked by world club champions Leeds Rhinos.

Little did fans know what was to come as the youngster was applauded from the terraces for safely finding touch at the end of Haven’s first set.

Kiwi Edmondson was formidable in the early exchanges, but when he dropped McNally’s pass in his own half on 10 minutes, the visitors took advantage.

Stapleton proved unstoppable on an angled run to the line, John Wilshere converting.

The lead lasted for only five minutes, McNally stepping inside one attempted tackle and managed to avoid a couple more on the way to the whitewash. Manihera slotted the first of his seven goals from as many attempts.

But Ade Adebisi was forced in to touch from the restart and moments later Robbie Paul dived between the sticks, to hand Wilshere a simple conversion.

Manihera slotted a couple of penalties, either side of Craig Calvert’s scintillating near 60-metre break out of defence.

The winger then produced another great break, courtesy of Scott McAvoy, and McNally again showed his finishing ability to hand Haven the lead.

But Salford had the final say of the half, Saia Makisi’s ruck interference handing the visitors possession deep in Haven’s quarter and Adam Sidlow powering over.

Wilshere’s conversion gave Salford an 18-16 interval lead.

Haven were back on level terms within five minutes of the restart, Manihera’s penalty punishing Salford for a high tackle on Ford.

The tide really turned in Haven’s favour from the re-start, Broadbent gathering the kick and sailing through the defensive line.

He found McNally on his outside and the youngster had the pace to hold off the cover and cross in the corner.

Salford were rattled, and following back-to-back penalties, Manihera’s boot extended the lead to 26-18.

Salford continued to pose a threat, but terrific defence kept them at bay. Entering the last 10 minutes, flyer Paul White injected incredible pace in to an attack to catch Haven short. And later in the set, the winger crossed out wide to reduce the deficit to 26-22.

Haven fans were convinced their team had put the issue beyond doubt in the closing moments, Adebisi latching on to Manihera’s chip, only for the video ref to rule it out.

At that stage, one slip could have undone all of Haven’s good work, but they held on for a remarkable win.

MATCH FACTS

Haven: Broadbent, Calvert, R Jackson, Makisi, Adebisi, Manihera, McNally, Edmondson, Mattinson, Hill, Gorski, McAvoy, Miller. Subs: C Smith, Ford, Barker, M Jackson.

Tries: McNally 3; Goals: Manihera 7

Salford: Fitzpatrick, Gardner, Littler, Wilshere, White, Paul, Myler, Highton, Alker, Stapleton, Sibbit, Brocklehurst, Turner. Subs: Jewitt, Ratchford, Sidlow, Leuluai

Tries: Stapleton, Paul, Sidlow, White; Goals: Wilshere 3

Attendance: 2,189

Referee: T Alibert

Star Man: Gregg McNally