BLACKBROOK 6 WORKINGTON TOWN 28
DAVE PARKINSON, Boardmans Lane, Sunday
WORKINGTON had to rely on an outstanding effort from their middle men to eventually overcome a stubborn effort from Blackbrook and secure their place in the Challenge Cup third round.
The Championship side initially looked comfortable, bringing the ball away well from their end while applying pressure to the St Helens amateur side.
It was first blood to the Cumbrians after four minutes when sparky play down the left resulted in Mason Lewthwaite shrugging away from a couple of tackles before putting a great kick into the backfield.
Centre Braden Leigh chased through before controlling the bounce and touching down between the posts. Jake Carter goaled.
After that it was the hosts that applied the pressure with James Whalley and back-rowers Josh Wilson and Conner Morley getting through a ton of work.
Blackbrook created a great chance when Alex Smith and Dan Moss combined in the 22nd minute but some excellent cover from Workington saw them get across and Jayme Johnson couldn’t hold on to the ball.
Three minutes later, Brook moved slickly in midfield and a chip over from Moss just evaded the half-back as he scrambled forward while another deep kick from Moss was fumbled by Zarrin Galea.
Eventually, Workington did work some field position with a popped pass from dummy-half leading to Tuarae Rawhiti crashing over the line from close range for Carter to add his second goal.
Even then the plucky hosts didn’t lose heart and were well in the contest at half-time, trailing just 12-0.
The second half began with errors from both sides and Blackbrook were forced into a reshuffle after losing Wilson to injury.
Gradually, Workington began to gain the upper hand with some excellent work from Lucas Castle, Stevie Scholey and Delaine Gittens-Bedward.
Three tries in ten minutes after the hour mark settled the tie. The first went the way of Leigh, who claimed his second try after Dom Wear, Carter and Galea combined across the back. Carter again converted against a stiff breeze.
Three minutes later, Town were on the Blackbrook line again and after coming up with some decent tackles, the ‘Brook defence faded after an athletic offload by Tobias Gibson. The ball came right and some dancing feet from Wear saw the scrum-half go through. Carter added his fourth and final goal.
Nine minutes from time the visitors scored their fifth try thanks to good hands from Galea and Leigh saw the centre release at the right time for Alex Donaghy to squeeze over by the corner flag.
Blackbrook had struggled to contain Town in this period but an enthusiastic end saw them put everything into the final few minutes where they fed off the energy of a vociferous crowd to cause problems.
Their efforts brought the last try of the game when the impressive Whalley stormed through the middle and handed on for Moss to dash in at the side of the posts, and goal.
It was fitting consolation on a historic day where Blackbrook were able to host professional opposition at their Boardmans Lane home.
GAMESTAR: Stevie Scholey’s efforts in the Workington engine room helped ensure the hardest of victories for Town.
GAMEBREAKER: Tries after 61 and 64 minutes took the game beyond Blackbrook.
MATCHFACTS
BLACKBROOK
1 Josh Langley
2 Josh David
3 Luke Ward
4 Harrison Dean
5 Jayme Johnson
17 Alex Smith
7 Dan Moss
8 James Whalley
19 Paul Nash
10 Luke Marsh
11 Josh Wilson
12 Conner Morley
13 Reece Jackson
Subs (All Used)
14 Aaron Hyland
15 Cam Tunstall
18 Jordan McManus
21 Joe Woods
Tries: Moss (79)
Goals: Moss 1/1
TOWN
1 Zarrin Galea
27 Reuben Butterworth
3 Rio Corkill
4 Braden Leigh
5 Alex Donaghy
6 Jake Carter
7 Dom Wear
25 Bear Williams
14 Callum Phillips
8 Ross Ainley
11 Mason Lewthwaite
26 Tuarae Rawhiti
10 Stevie Scholey
Subs (all used)
22 Delaine Gittens-Bedward
23 Toby Gibson
17 Lucas Castle
15 Callum Farrer
Tries: Leigh (4, 61), Rawhiti (35), Wear (64), Donaghy (71)
Goals: Carter 4/5
SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 0-12; 0-18, 0-24, 0-28, 6-28
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Blackbrook: James Whalley; Town: Stevie Scholey
Penalty count: 5-8
Half-time: 0-12
Referee: Adam Williams