Hornets gave the faithful a frustrating glimpse of what might've been as they turned in a solid passionate performance against NL1 playoff pretenders Whitehaven.

Shaun Gartland concurred: "... we're disappointed with the result, but not with the performance. Our spirit today was absolutely fantastic and that's been the case since I came here... The lads have always given everything they've got."

A steady hand and a cool head at crucial times in his game could have seen Hornets pull off a shock - but this 'haven side is a stubborn unit to shift.

And they were away with a bang as Rudd jogged home the first try after less then two minutes. Having shaken off the shell-shock, Hornets knuckled down to some good, solid, no-frills football; willing forwards driving hard, backed up by eager support.

After 11 minutes, Hornets got their reward and edged in front: a looping arc of a run by Mark McCully - swatting defenders as he went - took him in for an excellent try. he celebrated by adding the extras.

Whitehaven's response was immediate and basic: Richard Fletcher crunching in, Rudd converting.

Hornets continued to move the ball in search of an opening, but when Calvert took advantage of lost possession after half an hour it looked like it really wasn't going to be Hornets' day.

But Hornets kept plugging away and were back in the hunt after 35 minutes when a smart break and neat hands by Mark McCully slotted Eric Andrews in for a well worked try. McCully added the two. With half time looming, McCully had a late-late penalty to close the gap to 12-16, but the shot faded to the right of the far post.

The first 20 minutes of the second half were an arm wrestle, with little to choose between the sides. Hornets turned the screw with three consecutive sets, but the 'Haven defence stood firm. Conversely, when the visitors forced back-to back sets at the other end after an hour, they capitalised as McAvoy took a well-timed pass at pace to score.

Hornets were reeling and, on the next 'haven attack, Sice jinked his way in to seal the game.

While Hornets kept plugging away, the Haven defence shut up shop and coolly played out the last 15 minutes.

In the end, the difference between the two sides was that haven were a little more assured with ball in hand - and they turned their pressure into points. Other than that, it was a case of 'pride restored' for hard-working Hornets.

For the eternal optimists out there, the survival/relegation equation looks like this. We must thrash Batley AND beat Castleford; and Batley must get thrashed at Widnes on the last day if we are to stay up on points difference