WORKINGTON TOWN 29 MIDLANDS HURRICANES 12
CALLUM LINFORD, Fibrus Community Stadium, Sunday
SPEEDY Andy Djeukessi scored two tries to make it four in his last two games on loan from Castleford as Workington climbed above a Midlands side who have now lost three in four and dropped to fourth.
Djeukessi was making his third appearance for Town, who had on-loan Hull FC youngsters Lennon Clark and Zach Jebson, who also crossed twice, in the second row, with Wales international Max Clarke pushing for a place in Sunday’s eagerly-awaited derby at Whitehaven after joining following a stint at French side Carcassonne.
Jonty Gorley’s team were looking to bounce back from their 56-22 loss at North Wales Crusaders.
Hurricanes had got back to winning ways with a 22-20 home victory over Rochdale after defeats by North Wales and Goole, and went in front here after ten minutes through Ross Oakes, who following a penalty for his side, then a Workington knock-on, wriggled over for Brad Billsborough to convert.
Soon after a Todd Horner break on the left looked promising, but the move broke down through a loose pass.
The sides fought out a 16-16 draw in Birmingham in round two of the League One season back in March, and it was level after 21 minutes, when after good work by Dom Wear, Jebson cut through on the right and raced away to score, with Jake Carter tagging on the two.
That Midlands were anticipating another tight tussle was perhaps shown by their decision to kick, rather than run, a 26th-minute penalty awarded for a high shot, with Billsborough making it 8-6 from the tee.
But Workington went ahead eight minutes before the break when Horner’s pass was intercepted by Djeukessi, who streaked away. Carter improved the effort.
Ten minutes into the second half, it was all square again after a spell of Midlands pressure.
Luis Roberts plucked a teasing high kick out of the air despite Dave Eccleston’s attempt to pouch it and touched the ball down. Billsborough dragged his goal attempt wide.
Still the game ebbed and flowed, and Workington went back in front on 64 minutes through clever play by Wear, the former Kells man selling a dummy to lave Aiden Roden helpless and ease his way in between the posts for Carter to convert.
Midlands worked hard to hit back, forcing a goal-line drop-out before a knock-on meant a promising opportunity was lost, but Workington remained dangerous, and after making their visitors drop-out, Jamie Doran landed a field-goal on 73 minutes.
And the home side struck another blow after 75, when after some neat approach play by Callum Phillips and Levi Atiga, Djeukessi grabbed his second try of the game wide out. Wear’s attempt from the tee was wide.
As Midlands threw the ball about in a bid to respond, Jebson intercepted and went in for Workington’s fifth try, which Wear converted.
GAMESTAR: Levi Atiga made yards all over the park on his strong return for Workington.
GAMEBREAKER: Jamie Doran’s field-goal gave Town a seven-point lead.
MATCHFACTS
TOWN
1 Zarrin Galea
28 Dave Eccleston
3 Rio Corkill
– Andy Djeukessi
5 Levi Atiga
28 Jake Carter
7 Dom Wear
8 Ross Ainley
21 Callum Phillips
10 Stevie Scholey
– Lennon Clark
– Zach Jebson
13 Jack Stephenson
Subs (all used)
9 Jamie Doran
24 Lucas Castle
25 Callum Farrer
11 Cooper Howlett
Tries: Jebson (21, 78), Djeukessi (32, 75), Weir (64)
Goals: Carter 3/3, Wear 1/2
Field-goals: Wear (73)
HURRICANES
1 Todd Horner
25 Luis Roberts
4 Ross Oakes
3 Ryan Johnson
2 Matty Chrimes
21 Sully Medforth
33 Brad Billsborough
8 Jon Luke Kirby
14 Aiden Roden
27 Liam Kirk
11 Tom Wilkinson
12 Josh Jordan-Roberts
13 Mikey Wood
Subs (all used)
9 Danny Barcoe
18 Zeus Silk
20 Elliot Morris
16 Ellis Hobson
Tries: Oakes (10), Roberts (50)
Goals: Billsborough 2/3
SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 6-6, 6-8, 12-8; 12-12, 18-12, 19-12, 23-12, 29-12
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the match
Town: Andy Djeukessi; Hurricanes: Luis Roberts
Penalty count: 0-4
Half-time: 12-8
Referee: Denton Arnold