WHITEHAVEN RLFC 8 An encouraging first-half display came to nothing as Whitehaven failed to emulate their Challenge Cup victory of two weeks ago against Dewsbury and get their Championship campaign off to a winning start. For 37 minutes there was every reason to be optimistic that Gary Charlton’s men could replicate that 23-16 success that took them through to round two of the famous knock-out competition. But a burst of three Rams’ tries either side of the interval swung the contest in the West Yorkshire side’s favour and Haven never really got into top gear again. A fair proportion of the opening period was spent tenaciously defending with the home side shading possession and territorial advantage but the West Cumbrians’ rearguard action was impressive enough to suggest they could add to the spectacular 13th minute try from lively Australian winger cum fullback Lachlan Walmsley.