By Martin Morgan

Last updated at 12:39, Monday, 08 February 2010

Angry Ged Stokes handed Whitehaven the biggest dressing down of his tenure after they stumbled to a dire 17-16 Northern Rail Cup defeat at Keighley yesterday.

Ged Stokes

The coach tore in to his team on the Cougar Park turf after watching Danny Jones’ 78th minute drop-goal secure the points for the hosts, who were promoted to the Championship this term.

“I gave our team probably the after-match talk I have never given them – and never wanted to give them,” said Stokes, who was upset they deviated from their game plan.

“I’ve never been more disappointed at losing a game like that, to a team we should easily have controlled, no matter how much enthusiasm they displayed, or how much things went for them.

“I’m the first to congratulate our guys when they play well, but we also have to accept the other side of the coin when we haven’t done the right things. Make basic, fundamental errors and you will lose.”

Haven went 16-10 up on 56 minutes, Craig Calvert and Spencer Miller crossing, after trailing at the break. And Stokes was stunned they let the hosts back in to the game.

“We had only to keep doing what we did to score those tries,” he added.

“To all intents and purposes the game was over. But you can’t give a side on such a small park opportunities to get down your end and create pressure.

“We let them off the hook and ended up defending our own try line.”

First published at 11:25, Monday, 08 February 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk