Sunday’s 46-18 defeat at Blackpool Panthers was the tenth time in 11 Co-operative One games that Workington Town have been on the wrong end of the scoreline.

And there was little in the performance to suggest that they can change things round in the seven matches that are left.

It was another disappointing display by the west Cumbrians with very little to encourage coach Dave Rotheram.

He and the supporters had been encouraged by a much improved display against Swinton Lions a fortnight ago but that was never repeated against a Panthers side playing their first game for a month.

Immediately after the game Rotheram said: “We were the architects of our downfall and it’s pretty basic that you have to look after the ball better when you’re in possession.

“We made it easier for them by giving away the ball in vital areas of the field.

“It’s something I seem to talk about every week but it was another harsh lesson for us.”

Blackpool are not the walk-over they used to be as coach Martin Crompton has turned them into a workmanlike outfit, including three ex-Workington players in Carl Forber (making his debut), Mark McCully and Jay Duffy.

Forber kicked three goals from five attempts and McCully scored the ninth and final try for Blackpool two minutes from time.

Town were 14-0 down in as many minutes as Tom Woodcock, Damian Munro and John Leather all crossed for tries, one of which was converted by Forber.

Darren King briefly got Town into the game with a try which Marc Bainbridge converted but then McCully did really well to create a try for Simon Svabic which Forber converted.

Town’s new recruit Craig Farrimond – a former Blackpool player – got on the score-sheet after 36 minutes but right on the hooter Munro slid in for his second try and at 24-12 Town had it all to do, given how much they have faded in second-half performances previously.

It proved the case again as Blackpool won the second-half 22-6, starting from Munro scoring his hat-trick try on 56 minutes. Forber converted.

Debutant centre Dean Thompson charged over after 61 minutes but at least Town responded and Scott Burgess, one of their best players, went in for a try which Bainbridge converted.

Blackpool, however, got well on top in the last ten minutes and McCully, who had an excellent game at loose-forward got a deserved try while Thompson went over for his second, both of which were converted by Leather.

Town host Oldham on Sunday but there will have to be a considerable improvement to even come near to making a match of it.

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