Workington Town 22, Swinton Lions 32

Workington Town still haven’t found the formula for beating the Lions as this was the third time the teams had met this season.

Two home defeats and a draw at Sedgley Park are the cold statistics, although all three have been keenly contested, close encounters.

In some ways this was probably the only one that Town didn’t deserve to win having played well in the Northern Rail Cup defeat at Derwent Park and in the draw in he Lions’ den.

Unfortunately this wasn’t the home send-off the coaching team had been hoping for, although they have reached the play-offs but face an away trip in the first phase.

Town have been progressing steadily over the last few weeks but this was not in keeping with the way they have been performing. Too many tackles were missed and the players just lacked the zest and desire which have carried them forward so well in recent matches.

Joint coach Gary Charlton said: “I think we are running on empty now. It’s been pretty hard over the last few games, some of which have been very tough against the likes of York, Rochdale and Hunslet.

“We have players out with injury and others playing with knocks when they are not fully fit.

“I don’t like making excuses but I think there were reasons for a below-par effort today.

“Anyone who isn’t 100% fit won’t play in the last game at Doncaster but hopefully we will have most of them ready for the play-off game, whoever that may be against.”

The crucial period came just before half-time when Swinton scored two converted tries to turn a 14-10 deficit into a 22-14 advantage at the break.

Town’s tackling was suspect to this late sucker punch and they just couldn’t get close enough again in the second-half to salvage a win.

The biggest disappointment was that Town have been better than this performance – much improved on recent seasons and making clear progress. Not world beaters by any means, or championship contenders either, but improving and with some sound recruitment during the winner, without damaging the budget, they can look for a definite top four finish next time round.

They made a good start against the Lions with Darren Holt booting them in front with a fifth minute penalty.

But two tries in the space of four minutes handed the initiative to the visitors. They lively Richard Hawkyard stepped through some flimsy tackling to five over under the posts and then good hands along the line ended with second rower Dale Cunniffe going over wide-out. Gavin Dodd converted the first.

The see-saw nature of the game saw Town score twice in three minutes to regain the lead.

On 23 minutes Andrew Beattie got there ahead of the Swinton cover to drop-on a little grubber kick from Holt which had opened-up the Lions defence. Holt converted.

Then on 26 minutes full-back Elliott Miller raced through from 40 metres, bursting onto a pass at pace and then outstripping the desperate Swinton cover to score a fine try which went unconverted.

Holt then made amends on 34 minutes when hr kicked a straight-forward penalty for a 14-10 lead.

Unfortunately Town went to sleep before half-time as Swinton scored two tries to set-up an eight-point lead at the break.

A long-range break from Hawkyard was continued by Cunniffe and when the ball was moved again prop Anthony Mulhally held-off two tacklers, twisted and flung himself down for the score.

Phil Joseph, the man who had done most to deny Workington a win at Sedgley Park, used his power close to the line to score Swinton’s fourth try bang on the hooter. Dodd converted both.

Dodd also kicked two early penalties in the first five minutes of the second-half to leave Town in trouble, twelve points behind.

Jarrad Stack, who had a quiet game by his own high standards, charged over from close range to give Town hope on 55 minutes and Holt converted but Dodd landed his third penalty just short of the hour mark.

Holt kicked a penalty eight minuets from the end to put Town within touching distance again but the final score came from Swinton when good pressure and quick hands in the corner put Rob Foxen over for an unconverted try which sealed victory.

STAR MAN – ELLIOTT MILLER -.Continues to impress, even though playing his third position in three games for the club. An amateur who has quickly adapted top the pro ranks he was good in everything he did and scored an excellent try - his third so far for Town.

Town: Miller, Backhouse, Beattie, Low, Frazer, Holt, Kaighan, Dutton, Hewitt, Coward, Whitehead, Stack, Coupar. Subs (all used) J. Finch, Robinson, Pedley, Macdonald.

Crowd: 501

Referee: Warren Turley, Leigh

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