THE previous week’s great home win gave Tyldesley a glimmer of hope of avoiding the drop as they went into their final game of the season at Whitehaven.

They had to achieve something they had failed to do all season and record back to back points of any kind.

They did this brilliantly by gaining a very deserved losing bonus point in the 23-21 reverse, and so securing safety, which proved necessary in the end, as the other three teams in the mix, also gained points.

Bongs replied to an early penalty when Craig Pulman picked up the ball, at the back of a great scrum before crossing the line in the 15th minute, Martin Wallbank converted.

Whitehaven hit back with a good try and it stayed 8-7 at the break.

With Bongs having a man in the sin-bin Haven pummelled the Tyldesley 22, but the 14 restricted them to just a converted penalty.

Haven added an unconverted try, but Tyldesley regrouped, and from yet another solid set play, the ball was shipped out, with Zack Sargent coming on to the ball to burst through for a great try, Wallbank added the conversion, making it a two point game.

With 18 remaining, as Whitehaven crossed for a disputed seven-pointer.

Still with plenty time on the clock, and knowing the importance of this final fixture, Bongs, regrouped, and went all out, in hope of salvaging something, forcing their hosts to defend as wave after wave of blue advanced.

Great and gutsy play by all had Dean Brown cross for a good team try, in the corner.

Still undeterred, Tyldesley continued to press and were awarded a penalty, then took a quick tap, with Pulman crossing for his second and Tyldesley’s third converted try of game, pulling them back to just within two points, giving them the bonus point they required.