Haven crush Gateshead

Whitehaven scored 11 tries as they strolled to a 60-12 victory over Gateshead and cemented their spot in the top four of the Co-operative Championship 1.

The home side were leading with 40 points unanswered at the break following first-half tries from Craig Calvert, Richard Varkulis (2), Carl Rudd, Jessie Joe Parker, Tom Hemingway and Paul Cullnean - as Rudd added the extras.

While Calvert crossed for two more tries to claim his hat-trick in the second period, with a try apiece from Parker and Lee Doran as Rudd was on target with two more successful conversions.

Thunder responded to their poor first-half show with tries from Olly O'Mara and Brett Waller as Gavin Beasley kicked over two consolation goals.