It has been a challenging week for Whitehaven, exacerbated by their latest financial crisis.
A heavy defeat at Bradford Bulls seemed to reflect the difficulties faced earlier in the week. Some suggest that accepting relegation and regrouping in League One might be Whitehaven’s only viable option.
This loss keeps them firmly in the relegation zone, with crucial games approaching. Their next two fixtures are vital: a home game against Doncaster, where they’re hoping for a strong turnout to improve finances, and an away match at bottom-of-the-table Dewsbury.
Although Bradford organized a bucket collection to support Whitehaven, the 58-0 scoreline was a tough blow. Whitehaven had only 16 players available, and the physical toll of the match will be felt. They were down 34-0 at halftime and conceded two more tries early in the second half but managed their best period of play after that.
For about ten minutes, Whitehaven managed to put Bradford Bulls under pressure but failed to score. The Bulls regained control and ended the game with 10 tries, nine of which were converted.
The tries for Bradford were scored by Appo (2), Makin (2), Okunbor, Sammut, Doro, Myers, Pele, and Taufua, with Lilley converting nine of them.