How this Whitehaven side took two draws out of Salford, God only knows.

Bar a nine minute spell in the first half, this was a demolition job of classic proportions - and the cavalry charge was led by Radney Bowker, who had the space and time to run through his full repertoire of defence-destroying tricks.

Indeed, the travelling Hornets supporters only had to wait four minutes before he'd bamboozled the Whitehaven outside backs, legged it 50 metres up the hill and sent Chris Irwin under the posts. Nanyn sloted the first of his seven goals. His second came from a penalty ten minutes later.

Briefly, 'Haven woke from their slumber. A Kirkbride penalty and three tries in quick succession from Broadbent, Lester and Paul O'Neil - his a 90 metre blast having caught a Watson bomb on the run - had the home fans rubbing themselves with delight as they led 20-8.

But Hornets had had enough and hit the gas. On the half hour neat work from Ian Watson sent Wes Rogers crashing through defenders to score. Five minutes later quick hands from Radney and Smiffy gave Mick Nanyn enough room wide out to score. Half time 20-18 to Haven - and Hornets looking like they were just warming up.

The second half started badly. John Hamilton twisting awkwardly in a tackle - reports this morning comfirm a broken leg - and the home fans screaming for him to get up and stop acting. As he was stretchered from the field the locals went ape again because Colin Morris elected play-on instead of a knock on. They're all heart up there in Cumbria, y'know.

But Hornets weren't fazed. 48 minutes, Radney Bowker showed Whitehaven what a decent stand-off looks like - scything through the defence, offloading to Dave Larder who outpaced the haven threequarters over 40 metres, drew the last tackler and posted Jon Roper in to score. My how the locals loved that having slagged Roper off for being a 'jam-eater' all afternoon. Ha!

On 59 minutes, Ian Watson slammed home a drop goal and, straight from the kick off, Hornets struck again. Bowker caught the kick off, fed Gareth Price who sprinted through tissue-paper tackling and left desperate chasers in his wake, he fed Roper who ate up the best part of 60 metres before slipping the ball past the hapless full back for Bowker to score.

Hornets fans in delight, Haven fans heading for the exits in droves. Six minutes later Hornets were back within striking distance and a long pass from Watson found nanyn who made a mug of his opposite number for the second time. He banged the goal over from the touchline too just to rub it in!

Haven scored the obligatory consolation try on 70 minutes through O'Neil, but Hornets weren't quite done yet as another Bowker long-distance break was finished off, this time by Marlon Billy.

With the clock ticking down, Watson banged over another one-pointer just to show them who's boss. Final score 24-44. Job done. Superbly.

Ultimately, Hornets outclassed, outfought, out-thought and outplayed Whitehaven in every single department. This was as complete and comprehensive as wins in Cumbria get; and the vociferous diehard supporters - who get name-checked in this week's League Express report - were rightfully delighted.

Despite the shadow of the last week's events and the jolt of John Hamilton's nasty injury, Hornets showed character and steel in rolling over one of the National League's toughest sides.

And those who made the trip - and the Nest Egg who funded the overnight stay - will feel that their faith in our club has been repaid.