ELEVEN ON THE SPIN AS ZEBRAS REGISTER HARD FOUGHT SUCCESS

Note - This match was finally played on Saturday 20th January 2019.

With league leaders Silloth not in action, Workington seized the chance to get closer to them in the Cumbria League 2 title race and they did just that with a hard fought, but convincing 34 - 12 victory away to Millom - their 11th league win on the bounce.

Sam Robinson gave the Zebras a dream start on 3 minutes when he finished off a poweful surge to touch down for an unconverted try and this galvanised Millom into action and they proceeded to launch a spell of pressure against their visitors.

However, Workington rode the storm and came through in spectacular fashion on 25 minutes when John McCrickerd sharply intercepted a stray pass to gallop home fo the Zebras' 2nd try, with Robinson converting this time round.

Once again, Millom fought back as they probed the Zebras with efficient possession and dangerous inroads into their half. Their patience was rewarded on the half hour when Number 8 Trevor Dixon was on hand to break through the hitherto firm Zebras defensive shield to go over for an unconverted try.

Workington recovered from this wobble and on the stroke of half time, Jack Todhunter delivered a powerful drive and he offloaded the ball to the ever alert McCrickerd who wasted no time in posting his 2nd try of the day. Robinson again added the conversion.

The hosts came out for the second half determined to get back in the game and within 5 minutes a powerful and well drilled forwards drive ended with Dixon crashing over for his 2nd try and this time it was converted to reduce the arrears to five points.

But any dreams of a comeback were mercilessly and brutally extinguished by Workington who delivered two tries in five minutes as first Andrew Branthwaite secured a Bonus Point when he polished off a controlled forwards drive to go over the whitewash and then a break on the hosts' 22 saw Jonny Howarth breeze home for Zebras' 5th try, with Robinson converting this one.

Throughout the match, Todhunter produced a tireless display of sharp running, efficient tackling and general all round dogged resistance that rightly saw him named man of the match and with time almost up he was again in the thick of the action as he and his fellow pack members delivered a feisty scrum drive that led to David Wordsworth barging over for the try. Robinson was unlucky with the conversion, but in the event it was academic.

In spite of their defeat, which keeps them in mid-table, Millom deserve full credit for their part in a tough game, especially as their Number 8 more often than not gave them food for thought as he directed many of their attacking movements and at times their pack was more than a match for their visitors .

Meanwhile, Workington can take pride in extending their winning streak to 11 and further entrench their hold on the second promotion place. However, the one blemish on an othewise fine afternoon, was the loss of second row forward Scott Faulkner, who joined the Zebras' injury list when he was forced off with a broken ankle and although it is not known as to how long he will be out of action, he will definitely miss their home encounter with Furness this Saturday.