Workington can now concentrate fully on Cumbria League title aspirations following their exit from the RFU Senior Vase, going down 17 - 14 at The Ellis to Cheshire League outfit Dukinfield.

It was the visitors who broke the deadlock on 4 minutes when their opening uptempo approach paid off as they broke through Zebras ranks to charge into the corner for an unconverted try.

For the next 25 minutes or so, it was effectively stalemate as both sides cancelled out each other, but then Dukinfield increaded their lead on 24 minutes as they caught Zebras off guard to carve open their way through and under the posts for another try which was converted this time round.

The remainder of the first half saw Workington finally get the measure of their opponents as they launched no fewer than seven attempts at reducing the arrears, but were let down by a stubborn rearguard and clumsy knock ons.

Although going in at half time, still 12 - 0 down, hopes were high for the second half and those hopes were vindicated within 60 seconds of the restart when Dukinfield's hitherto watertight backline was holed by Rob Hodgson thundering his way through to go over the whitewash for a try, which Scott Rooke converted.

Then 6 minutes later, Zebras took the lead when Rooke himself was on hand to catch the visitors cold by sprinting clear for a well taken try that he then converted.

At 14 - 12 up, Workington had the chance to finish off their opponents, especially with Hodgson and Rooke lurking dangerously, Ross Cape once again producing a man of the match performance with his tireless efficiency and debutant Adam Lee playing as though he were a seasoned veteran.

But Dukinfield rode the storm, and after soaking up the pressure hit the Zebras hard to regain the lead on 64 minutes with an unconverted try following a swift counter attack that left their hosts flat footed.

Things went from bad to worse for Workington within the next 5 minutes as first Cape and then Tom Lawson were both sin binned for obstructions, Reduced to 13 men, the Zebras did their ultimate utmost to snatch victory, but they could not find any way through as Dukinfield shut off all possible roads to close the game.

Zebras' heads were down at the final whistle, but only briefly as captain Andrew Bowe quickly gathered them for the post match huddle and told them to forget about the result and devote all their focus on their promotion push, which continues with back to back home fixtures against Windermere and then fellow title chasers Egremont.

By John Hastings @ The ESG