For the second successive Sunday, Leigh Centurions had a man sent off!
And for the second successive weekend the burden proved too much and a winning position was turned into defeat.
This time it was front row man Mike Morrison charging into an affray between Haven's Ryan McDonald and Gareth Price that earned both of them a ten minute cooling off period. But with Morrison wanting to take the law into his own hands, referee Jamie Leahy had little option other than to give a red card and an early bath to the Leigh player.
Leigh were leading 16-8 at the time, having carved out the advantage in the first period through some determined defensive work and gutsy attack. But once Leigh were at a one man disadvantage through the dismissal on 47 minutes, Whitehaven were able claim the lead with three tries in a devastating nine minutes, as Leigh's eleven men could not cover the field, and the game was as good as won.
It was hardly the type of involvement to impress Coach-in waiting Neil Kelly, who looked relaxed in the West Cumbria sunshine as he had one last look at his charges of the future, before taking over the head coaching role some 16 hours or so later.
Leigh started with a Dennis Moran knock on in the first set of six before launching an series of attacks of their own as Lee Marsh and Ian Watson tried to get the side moving, but after they had been forced back into their own 20 mete zone, a misjudged pass was snapped out of thin air by Haven's Tongan centre Saia Makisi for him to race home for a Carl Rudd goaled try.
Leigh hit back with Morrison goaling close before Watson and Toa Kohe Love combined only to have Craig Calvert haul the half back down. Marsh spoiled the ball when seemingly heading through and Dave McConnell and Then Moran were denied by great home defence particularly from Rob Jackson. At the other end it was Howard Hill and David Fatiolofa who pushed the Leigh defence to the limit with Dave Alstead and Lee Doran pulling off some big tackles But on 18 minutes Leigh drew level when a sustained spell of attack was rewarded by McConnell forcing his way over from close range for Watson to add the extras.
Leigh were penalised for offside and Rudd edged Whitehaven ahead with a penalty, before Leigh applied more pressure, and Marsh and Moran forced the home side on to the back foot.
Hill denied Chris Giles with a great cover tackle, before Leigh finally grabbed a lead they fully deserved when McConnell put Morrison in and Watson added the extras on 36 minutes.
And when Leigh got the benefit of the doubt from what looked like a knock-on, Alstead was able to snap up the ball and race 70 metres for a try that brought derision from the home fans for the officials, and which that Watson was unable to goal. Never the less that 16-8 lead was extremely encouraging.
But five minutes after the restart Morrison was off and it all changed. Jackson shot in for a try within sixty seconds of the red card and Rudd goaled. On 50 minutes, Bainbridge put Calvert away and the speedster grabbed a try that Rudd goaled for the lead. Leigh were being run ragged and when Ade Adebisi raced in for an unconverted try on 53 minutes the game was turned on its head. Graeme Mattison was brought back for a forward pass before Leroy Joe put in Rudd for a try that he then goaled on 62 minutes, and although Leigh stopped the scoring, the game was never again within their grasp.

Whitehaven: Gary Broadbent, Ade Adebisi, Rob Jackson, Saia Makisi, Craig Calvert, Leroy Joe, Marc Bainbridge, Karl Edmonson, Graeme Mattinson, Ryan McDonald, Howard Hill, Spencer Miller, Carl Rudd. Subs all used: Carle Sice, Scott McAvoy, Andy Gorski. David Fatialofa.

Tries: Makisi (5), Jackson (46), Calvert (50), Adabisi (53), Rudd (62).
Goals: Rudd 4/6.
Sin bin: McDonald for fighting (44)

Leigh Centurions: Dennis Moran, Chris Giles, Adam Rudd, Toa Kohe-Love, Dave Alstead, Lee Marsh, Ian Watson, Mike Morrison, Dave McConnell, Gareth Price, Mike Wainwright, Lee Doran, Aaron Smith. Subs all used: Ian Mort, James Taylor, Chris Hill, Andy Hobson.
Tries: McConnell (18), Morrison (36), Alstead (40).
Goals: Watson 2/3.
Sin bin: Price for fighting (44).
Sent off: Morrison for running in (45).

Referee: Jamie Leahy.
Half time: 8-16.
Attendance: 1,706.