MATCH REPORT: WORKINGTON TOWN 29-12 MIDLANDS HURRICANES (BETFRED LEAGUE ONE ROUND 15)
Aiden Roden in action at Derwent Park (Credit: Ben Challis Sports Photography)
Town make possession count on the Cumbrian coast
On a sunny and muggy afternoon in West Cumbria, Midlands Hurricanes took on a strong and determined Workington Town side in the searing heat. The clubs entered the fixture in fourth and second place respectively, but only two points apart whilst third-placed Swinton Lions - only one point behind the Canes - hosted winless Newcastle at Heywood Road.
The first ten minutes of the match was fairly even, with the hosts perhaps making most with the ball in terms of territory. However, a penalty for a tip-tackle earned us some much-needed territory before a deliberate knock-on provided us with a fresh set 10 metres out. From the resulting set Sully Medforth fed a short pass to Ross Oakes who squirmed through the line to crash over and score (0-4). Billsborough was on hand to add the extras from the kicking tee (0-6).
It only took another two minutes for the Canes to almost double their lead as young full-back Todd Horner made a great break down the left edge and looked poised to put Matty Chrimes through in the corner, however the finishing touch was too low and knocked-on to the dismay of the travelling fans. The Canes would be made to pay for that mistake only five minutes later, as a short pass from Dom Wear to Hull FC loanee Zach Jebson saw the young second rower break through a gap and race away to score (4-6). Jake Carter levelled the scores from right of the sticks shortly thereafter (6-6).
Todd Horner causing Town all sorts of problems (Credit: Ben Challis Sports Photography)
Play remained equal for another six or seven minutes, but it would be the Canes that nudged themselves forward after earning themselves a penalty for a high shot about 15 metres from the Town line after a strong attacking set. Billsborough duly called for the kicking tee and kicked us two points ahead (6-8).
As the two sides entered the final five minutes, a 12-point moment would shift momentum firmly back into Town's favour. Another strong attacking set saw the Canes with a 3-on-1 overlap on the left edge, with Todd Horner ball in hand and seemingly destined to provide an assist. However, a well-timed lunge by Castleford Tigers loanee Andy Djeukessi saw him pluck the ball out of the air and race 90 metres down the right edge to score (10-8). Once again, Jake Carter was on hand to add the extras from out wide (12-8).
The two sides would enter the changing rooms shortly thereafter, and the Canes could be forgiven for rueing being behind rather than firmly in front.
Half-time: Workington Town 12-8 Midlands Hurricanes
Zeus Silk and Josh Jordan-Roberts wrap up a Town attacker (Credit: Ben Challis Sports Photography)
The second half began much like the first, with both sides testing each other out in the opening moments. However, once again it would be the Canes that would break the deadlock as a deft grubber by Sully Medforth forced Town to scramble and swipe at the ball to concede a goal-line drop-out.
From that goal-line drop-out the Canes found themselves in another strong attacking position, and the final play saw Sully Medforth launch a devastating high bomb into the right-hand corner. Luis Roberts was on hand to leap into the air and pluck the ball without much challenge to crash over the try-line (12-12). Brad Billsborough's conversion attempt was dragged wide of the posts, and with just under half an hour to go the sides were level.
Luis Roberts leaps to collect a high ball (Credit: Ben Challis Sports Photography)
As the sides entered the final fifteen minutes, Workington took their chances and presented themselves with an opportunity to regain the lead. The ball finally made its way to Dom Wear, with the half-back selling the dummy and leaving Aiden Roden grasping at the air as he strolled over to score under the sticks (16-12). Once again, Carter was on hand to convert (18-12).
By contrast, the Canes continued to squander promising chances to get back in the game. Whilst a very nice grubber from Ryan Johnson forced the Town defence to punt the ball dead for goal-line drop-out, it would only take two tackles before a pass to Ellis Hobson was spilled and gifted possession back to Workington. From the resulting set the hosts found themselves 15 metres out from the Canes line, and a pass back to Dom Wear gave him the space to land a drop-goal and create a two-score lead (19-12).
From thereon, anything that could go wrong for the Midlands side, did. Sully Medforth's kick restart went out on the full and gave Town easy space, shortly after which Ciaran Walker sold a dummy and passed out wide to Andy Djeukessi who put the ball down in the right-hand corner (23-12). Dom Wear - taking over kicking duties from Jake Carter who was taken off for a head injury assessment - was unable to add the extras.
Matty Chrimes leaps to contest a high bomb (Credit: Ben Challis Sports Photography)
There was still a slim but improbable chance of a comeback with the scores just under two converted tries apart, however any hopes of that fizzled when a pass across the middle of the field hit a stray Midlands hand and bounced into the arms of Zach Jebson who raced over 50 metres away to score left of the sticks to the joy of the home crowd (27-12). Dom Wear kicked the final conversion of the afternoon as the full-time hooter sounded, bringing a frustrating afternoon for the Canes to an end.
With the top four race remaining as close as ever, Town's win over the Canes saw Midlands drop to fourth (behind third-placed Workington on points difference) as Swinton's 52-10 win over Newcastle Thunder saw them leapfrog into second place. Mark Dunning's men have two weeks to dust themselves down due to their planned home fixture v Cornwall being cancelled following the Choughs decision to withdraw back in April, with another tough away trip in the wings as we travel to Heywood to take on Swinton Lions.
Full-time: Workington Town 29-12 Midlands Hurricanes
Man of the Match:
Mikey Wood (Sponsored by MG Electrical Contractors Ltd)
Tries:
Oakes and Roberts
Conversions:
Billsborough (1/2)
Pens:
Billsborough
Score sequence:
0-4, 0-6, 4-6, 6-6, 6-8, 10-8, 12-8, 12-12, 16-12, 18-12, 19-12, 23-12, 27-12 and 29-12.