Workington Town 12, Blackpool Panther 32

BLACKPOOL’S emergence this season under coach Martin Crompton, as genuine Co-operative Championship One title contenders was underlined at Derwent Park.

Four tries in the space of eight minutes late in the first-half gave them control after a spirited start by Town had rather knocked the Panthers out of their stride.

Some strong tackling and persistent harrying of the men in possession had seen Blackpool lose the ball or give it back too cheaply.

The fact that Scott Kaighan had nosed them ahead on six minutes with a straight- forward penalty also gave the home side the encouragement to make it hard for the Panthers.

Unfortunately Workington didn’t do a lot more than their opponents when they had the ball, also being forced into mistakes and wrong options, so it was still 2-0 at the 25 minute stage.

But Blackpool were showing signs of getting their game together and the experienced players hey have at their disposal saw them getting on a roll, and some quick movement from the play-the-balls allowed them to dictate and play the game at pace in Town’s half of the field.

It was a former Town player Mark McCully who started the Blackpool scoring charge with a splendid grubber kick into the corner which saw Damian Munro pounce ahead of the Town cover to get the touchdown. Jonny Leather added the conversion from the touchline.

Blackpool were slick passers of the ball, and good at close quarter ball transference, so that they were able to build-up a head of steam and scored again on 29 minutes.

Another ex-Town man was involved, this time Carl Forber with a delicious long pass which was taken by Dave Llewellyn, who in turn flung out an inviting pass for winger Paul Ballard to race over in the corner.

More controlled, smart passing and excellent support play by Blackpool maintained the momentum and it was McCully who was the final recipient, to dive over from close range.

Two minutes before the break Blackpool scored their fourth try. Tom Hemingway put in a deep kick which bounced in front of home full-back John Lebbon. Before he could deal with the situation Munro swept through to gather and race over under the sticks for Leather to goal.

If Town were to get back into a game in which they trailed 20-2 at the break, they neeed to score first in th second period – but that was cruelly denied them by a fifth Blackpool ty which should not have been awarded.

Hemingway put-up a bomb which was well held by centre Martin Ainscough. He was tackled and threw out a wild pass which seemed to be well forward but Forber was allowed to gather and go in for the try behind the posts which Leather improved.

The sixth and final Blackpool try on 51 minutes was a shocker because Danny Halliwell as allowed to stride through some awful tackling to score after a ten yard run to the posts. Again Leather converted.

Workington did manage to score two tries in the last 15 minutes to salvage some lost pride.

Liam Finch hoisted a bomb to the corner where Ballard and Neil Frazer jumped together to contest it. When the ball fell behind the Blackpool line Aaron Low pounced to claim the try.

Then six minutes from the end Town scored again. Jamie Butler charged strongly for the line and then slipped a short pass for Ruairi McGoff to go in. Kaighan converted.

Town: Lebbon, Backhouse, Beattie, Low, Frazer, L. Finch, Kaighan, McGoff, King, Coward, Whitehead, Stack, Coupar. Subs (all used) McKenna, Robinson, Campbell, Butler.

Referee: Warren Turley, Manchester

Crowd: 521

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