13 IN A ROW AS ZEBRAS RIDE LATE MILLOM STORM

Workington registered their 13th Cumbria League Two victory in successionn as they overcame a doughty, and at times, dangerous Millom 33 - 22 at The Ellis.

It was the Zebras who delivered the perfect start on 7 minutes with an unconverted try as their first serious attacking surge into Millom's 22 ended with John McCrickerd scything through to cruise over the whitewash for his 18th try of a productive season.

Five minutes later, the hosts could have extended their lead further, but well timed Millom tackling thwarted McCricked with the tryline at his mercy.

The visitors absorbed the pressure and then on 20 minutes took the lead after catching Workington fast asleep with a slickly crafted passing move culminating in going under the posts to set up an easy conversion.

Not for the last time this season, Workington wasted no time in their response and 5 minutes later went back in front as McCrickerd and Jack Todhunter combined to set up Tom Lawson, who hoodwinked the flatfooted Millom defence to zip in for a well deserved try that Sam Robinson converted effortlessly.

For the rest of the first half it was virtually a game of human chess as apart from a couple of half chances, both sides effectively cancelled each other out with excellent scrummaging and unlike in previous games, there were seldom few handling errors from either side.

Just before half time, Millom had an opportunity to reduce the arrears with a penalty but the attempt fell just short and the score remained 12 - 7 at the break.

Workington took only a minute of the restart to increase their lead when a good run by Liam Hazzard saw the ball offloaded to Mark Murphy who was tackled just shy of the tryline but the ball found Grant Reid who stormed over to score. Another conversion by Robinson duly followed.

Once again, Millom stubbornly refused to lie down and after a spell of prolonged pressure, they succeeded on 57 minutes in picking the Zebras' defensive lock for a second time with a breakaway try but were unable to add the conversion.

Just as they did in the first half, Workington didn't take long to recover and answer back in kind as from the restart they swamped the Millom half with well drilled scrummaging which coupled with efficient movement paid off when McCrickered ghosted in for his 2nd try of the afternoon and the Zebras' 4th try to seal a Bonus Point. followed by a 3rd conversion from Robinson.

At 26 - 12 up and with 20 minutes to go, it looked as though the game was up for Millom - however, the South Cumbrians had other ideas and proceeded to again belie their mid-table standing with more well orchestrated, probing attacks to stretch the Zebras' backline and on 70 minutes they took advantage of Zebras' tiredness to break clear and score another unconverted try.

By this time, Workington were trying to hold on and close out the game, but Millom were determined to take at least something out of the game and 2 minutes from time secured a bonus point for themselves with another breakaway try in the corner and despite not being converted, the deficit was now just 4 points.

This was the wake-up call that the Zebras badly needed and faced with the fear of a late smash and grab defeat, they managed to find one last squirt of energy and in the closing seconds, managed to clinch maximum points when Mark Murphy was on hand to thrust himself under the posts to set up the easiest of conversions from Robinson. To say that they were relieved at the final whistle would be putting it kindly.

Special mention has to be given to Jack Williamson who was making his first team debut and judging by his assured and confident performance, he is one to watch for the rest of the season.

Workington will hope to keep the victory streak going - and stay in touch with unbeaten Silloth - when they visit Wigton Wanderers next Saturday.

By John Hastings @ The ESG