BOBBIE Goulding's Hornets were in contention until the closing stages of a hard-fought game at the Recreation Ground as ex-Salford coach Steve McCormack saw his charges achieve their first win in four outings.

The outcome turned on a brilliant Sam Obst tackle that denied Andy Gorski a Hornets try just eight minutes from the end. Obst then went to the other end of the field to lay on the clinching try for Paul O'Neil.

Hornets took the game to their hosts with Gareth Price and Janan Billings also shining in a hard-working pack and led 10-4 at half-time with tries by Gorski and Mark McCully. But John Braddish could only land one goal from four attempts.

Whitehaven rallied with speedster Craig Calvert scoring two tries, but Mike Platt created a try for Chris Campbell that levelled the scores at 14-14 before Obst followed up his own kick through.

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