WORKINGTON TOWN coach Jonty Gorley hailed old stager Jamie Doran after he slotted into the loose-forward role at the last minute and played his part in a morale-boosting win at Hunslet.
The boss was desperate for a reaction after the 74-4 thumping at Oldham, and got it as his side ran out 38-6 victors in Leeds, chalking up their third win (plus a draw) from eleven league outings ahead of Sunday’s home clash with Sheffield.
Gorley had planned to play Bear Williams at 13, but switched the Australian to the front row after Callum Farrer felt unwell during the warm-up.
Doran – the 31-year-old halfback or hooker and ex-Wigan player who is in his second spell at Workington after switching from Whitehaven and in March reached 250 career appearances – would have been on the bench to rotate with Callum Phillips, but took the loose-forward berth.
“Jammer did really well, playing the first 50 minutes then coming on again, and I think him being at 13 with his organising helped our halfbacks (Jake Carter and Dom Wear), who were great with their kicking and really controlled things,” he said.
Gorley was pleased with his players’ response to some “home truths” spoken after the Oldham defeat.
“The attitude was spot-on, both in training during the week and in the match,” he explained.
“Effort gets rewards, and they listened to what we had to say, really rolled their sleeves up and acted on it.
“Hunslet pulled a try back just before half-time (when it was 14-6), but we made a few tweaks and they took control.
“When we cut out our ill-discipline and do the right things with the ball, we know we have wins in us.”