Unlikely hat trick sees Zebras edge out Tigers in "Ellis Thriller"

Workington made it 3 Cumbria League wins a row by fighting back from 0 - 12 down to pull off a stunning 27 - 25 triumph over Silloth at The Ellis in a contest that will be talked about for ages by all who were lucky enough to be there.

Daniel Bowman's men have gradually showcased a new found steeliness and determination this season and just as they dug deep to overcome Millom a fortnight ago, did so likewise against one of the leading candidates for promotion.

Right from the kick off, the Tigers were all over their hosts like a cheap suit and with 4 minutes gone, their all out policy of sustained pressure yielded the opening try when a charging scrum ended with Danny Yeoman crashing over the whitewash for an unconverted try.

The visitors continued to hold sway, with Zebras findings trips out of their own half at a premium and they fell further behind after 21 minutes as Kieran Ritchie popped up in the corner to go over for a try which Stephen Stoddart easily converted.

Suddenly, Workington began to stir and were finally able to deliver Silloth a taste of their own medicine by making deep inroads in their opponents 22 and they reaped what they sowed on 26 minutes when a well drilled scrum pushed them to the brink before Andrew Bowe threw himself over the line for a try which went unconverted.

On the half hour, a Stoddart penalty moved Silloth 10 points clear. However, that lead was halved 5 minutes from time as Zebras conjured up another unconverted try with Bowe once again in the thick of the action as he was on hand to pick up a pass from the scrum before brushing aside a late challenge to storm down for his 2nd try.

Workington dominated the start of the second half and were always likely to score and on 50 minutes did just that when Kevin Cape broke free from a loose ruck to nip in unmarked to bring the scores level, which stayed that way as yet another conversion went begging.

But the Tigers rode the storm and then delivered payback on the hour as Greg Wrathal took advantage of some clumsy defending to touch down for their 3rd try of the game.

If this was a novel, it would be a real pageturner of Booker Prize quality as the match was now evenly poised with the crowd in frenzied anticipation of the next twist and turn in the now thickening plot.

That moment arrived 10 minutes from time, when continuous Zebras pressure in Silloth's half resulted in another feisty scrum charge that culminating in Bowe barging his way among the bodies and stumbling over for one of the most unlikely hat tricks ever seen at The Ellis, and sealing a valuable bonus point in the process (as well as the Man Of The Match award).

When Scott Rooke added the conversion, he turned away with the look and sound of a man ready for battle - Workington were now going flat out for maximum points and on 74 minutes took the lead for the first time with the game's "Champagne Moment" as Tom Lawson snaffled a loose ball on half way, then casually skipped past a stretched Silloth defence to go into the corner for his 4th try in 2 games. This gifted young man is fast becoming hot property for Zebras with every game he plays.

But there was always the spectre of Silloth snatching a draw and deep in stoppage time, one last drive in Zebras territory produced a 4th try and bonus point of their own. But Stoddart's conversion attempt was very poor and the final whistle confirmed a fantastic victory for Workington that will go down in club folklore.

Zebras now lie in 5th place, just behind Windermere and ahead of Penrith A - their next 2 opponents. The "P" Word remains banned at The Ellis, but more performances like today will only strengthen their credentials even further.

By John Hastings @ The ESG