Whitehaven Knocked Out Of Championship Play Offs After Heavy Defeat
Whitehaven’s Championship play off campaign ended in disappointment after a heavy defeat against Midlands Hurricanes in Birmingham.
The West Cumbrian side were beaten 36-4, bringing their involvement in the Championship play offs to an end. The result was particularly disappointing after Whitehaven had produced a strong campaign to reach the knockout stages of the competition.
The defeat was also the first time this season that Midlands Hurricanes had managed to beat Whitehaven in three meetings between the sides. The Hurricanes had previously failed to overcome Haven in their earlier encounters during the campaign.
Whitehaven faced a difficult opening period in Birmingham as the home side immediately established control of the contest. Midlands Hurricanes produced a fast and aggressive start which left Haven struggling to contain their attacking pressure.
The Hurricanes crossed for four tries during the opening quarter of the match, giving the home side a commanding advantage before Whitehaven had been able to settle into the contest. The early scoring burst ultimately shaped the remainder of the first half.
Midlands continued to build their advantage as the opening half progressed, extending their lead to 30-0 by half-time. At that stage, the result appeared effectively settled, leaving Whitehaven facing a substantial deficit to overcome after the interval.
The second half was a much more evenly contested affair, with Whitehaven showing greater resistance after the break. The Hurricanes nevertheless edged the second period 6-4, adding further points while Haven continued to battle despite the sizeable half-time deficit.
Whitehaven’s only points of the match came through Ciaran Walker, who crossed for the team’s solitary try. His effort was not converted, leaving Haven with four points on the scoreboard as the Hurricanes maintained their substantial advantage.
By the time Walker scored, Midlands Hurricanes had already extended their advantage to 36-0. Whitehaven’s late response provided some reward for their efforts, but there was ultimately no realistic route back into the contest during the closing stages.
The result brought an end to what had nevertheless been a strong effort from Whitehaven across the Championship season. Their place in the play offs represented an opportunity to extend their campaign beyond the regular season and compete for further progress.
Whitehaven had entered the play offs as the ninth placed side and were drawn away to eighth placed Midlands Hurricanes in the opening eliminator. Unlike the qualifying semi finals, the eliminator offered no second opportunity, with defeat meaning the end of the season.
The play off format had been arranged across five weeks, with qualifying semi finals and eliminators beginning the post season programme. Whitehaven’s route was through the eliminator after finishing ninth in the Championship standings.
Earlier in the season, Whitehaven had shown they could compete successfully against the Hurricanes. Haven won 30-24 when the teams met in Birmingham in June, while their earlier meeting at the Ortus Recreation Ground in March finished level at 20-20.
Those previous results had offered Whitehaven encouragement ahead of the play off meeting, but the latest contest developed very differently. Midlands Hurricanes took control from the outset and established a lead that ultimately proved too large for Haven to challenge.
Despite the heavy defeat, Whitehaven’s season has included the achievement of reaching the Championship play offs, giving the club an opportunity to compete beyond the regular campaign. Their journey has now ended in Birmingham, with Midlands Hurricanes progressing after the 36-4 victory.
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