Workington Town off the mark with impressive win at Rochdale Hornets

ROCHDALE HORNETS 24 WORKINGTON TOWN 34
CALLUM LINFORD, Crown Oil Arena, Sunday

WORKINGTON travelled to Rochdale needing a win to kick-start their season and they did just that with a comeback victory.

Hornets started quickly though as Town conceded an early penalty close to their own line and they failed to deal with the runs of Lewis Else and Max Flanagan, which resulted in Emmerson Whittel crashing over in the tenth minute, with Flanagan adding the conversion.

Rochdale continued to press and, after receiving another penalty, smart passing saw Flanagan go over for their second try, although this time his conversion attempt hit an upright.

After Brad Gallagher was helped off the field with what looked like a serious injury, Town came back into the game when, after receiving a penalty, Steve Scholey drove to the line and the ball was moved left for Jake Bradley to touch down, with Jake Carter’s conversion cutting Rochdale’s lead to four points.

Bradley then scored the try of the match as he broke a tackle just shy of halfway and ran 50 metres, swatting off Gregg McNally to go in under the posts and give Town a 10-12 lead after Carter’s conversion.

Just before the interval Lucas Castle lost the ball in a three-man tackle, which was adjudged a knock-on, with Hornets moving the ball to Flanagan, who was able to go in for his second try, which he also converted for a 16-12 interval lead.

The second half would tell a different story, however, as Workington upped their game and their discipline.

And they soon took the lead when Castle was held up over the line, but Jamie Doran scooped up the ball at dummy-half to go over the line. Carter’s conversion put Town two points ahead.

The game needed a decisive score and on 66 minutes it got it, as a beautiful inside line ball from Dom Wear sent Caine Barnes in unopposed 20 metres from the line for an unconverted try.

And the dam appeared to have burst, as two minutes later Workington moved the ball smartly across the field and Jamie Doran evaded the defenders to touch down for his second try, again converted.

And they scored their final try when Hornets spill the ball and it was picked up and kicked down the field by Levi Atiga, who was able to collect it before weaving past the defence to find Dave Eccleston on the outside for the touchdown.

Rochdale did hit back with late tries from Luke Forber and Myles Harrop, both unconverted, but by then it was too late to affect the final result.

GAMESTAR: Jake Bradley came up with two tries and brilliant defence when needed.

GAMEBREAKER: Jamie Doran’s try on 59 minutes give Town a three-score lead.

MATCHFACTS
HORNETS
1 Gregg McNally
28 Cian Tyrer
3 Lameck Juma
4 Myles Harrop
5 Luke Forber
14 Max Flanagan
7 Lewis Else
19 Jaden Dayes
29 Dec O’Donnell
10 Luke Nelmes
30 Brad Gallagher
12 Duane Straugheir
13 Emmerson Whittel
Subs (all used)
9 Oli Burton
16 Jordan Andrade
11 Deane Meadows
32 McKenzie Yei

Tries: Whittle (9), Flanagan (16, 38), Forber (77), Harrop (79)
Goals: Flanagan 2/5

TOWN
1 Zarrin Galea
2 Levi Atiga
3 Rio Corkill
4 Will Evans
20 Dave Eccleston
28 Jake Carter
7 Dom Wear
8 Ross Ainley
14 Callum Phillips
16 Guy Graham
17 Caine Barnes
12 Jake Bradley
13 Jack Stephenson
Subs (all used)
9 Jamie Doran
10 Stevie Scholey
24 Lucas Castle
25 Callum Farrer