SECOND CUP "ZEBREXIT" IN A WEEK - BUT ANOTHER BLANK IS JUST DODGED IN TIME

Following their record 99 - 0 Cumbria Cup annihilation from Kendal last week, Workington bowed out of their second cup competition as they suffered another hefty thrashing in their final Cumbria League Cup fixture, going down 57 - 5 at The Ellis against near neighbours Whitehaven.

Despite the appalling weather during the week and having already hosted two consecutive fixtures, The Ellis pitch was in impeccable shape and great credit must go to the groundstaff in recognition of their tireless work.

The freezing conditions made Vladivostok feel like Ibiza and it was the Zebras who were caught cold as the visitors registered two tries in the opening 5 minutes.

First Jordan Thomson finished off a strong surge to touch down and then Luke Scott collected the ball in his own half before delivering a powerful solo run, swatting several challengers along the way to cruise home in the corner. Only the first try was converted.

Workington managed to get themselves back on focus and for a while they proceeded to occupy Haven territory by producing impressive movements and probing surges - especially with David Todhunter, Shaun Murphy and Grant Reid in the thick of the action.

However, Workington just could not deliver the final breakthrough and having absorbed the pressure, Whitehaven effectively sealed their hosts' fate with three clinical tries (two converted) in 10 minutes as they ruthlessly shredded the Zebras backline with Danny Dougherty going over, followed by Scott and Thomson adding their second tries of the afternoon.

It was "deja vu" as the opening five minutes of the second half witnessed the Zebras floored by two more Haven tries from Callum Tunstall and Jamie Martin.

By this time, the score was 43 - 0 and there were genuine fears that Whitehaven could succeed where Kendal had just failed the week before and rack up a century of points .

But Workington managed to stem the flow as they managed to tighten up their backline whilst again making frequent visits to their opponents' 22 as they were determined not to be "nilled" for the second week in succession.

Once again, Whitehaven held firm and on 63 minutes registered their half century when Callum Rowlandson hustled his way through to score a converted try. This was followed ten minutes from time when Thomson completed his hat trick by nipping in unchallenged and over the whitewash.

Workington were hell bent on bagging a consolation try and the remainder of the game laid siege into Whitehaven territory, especially with Messrs Todhunter and Reid once again showing off their feisty and uncompromising spirit.

Finally, on the stroke of full time, they avoided the dreaded blank as a chain of intensive scrums paid off with Reid going into the corner for an unconverted try that produced loud and relieved cheers from The Ellis faithful.

The Zebras can now focus on getting their faltering league campaign back on track, but with several key men still on the injury list, it's not going to be easy - especially as their next League fixture in a fortnight's time will be away to in-form Haven themselves.

By John Hastings @ The ESG