By Helen Thompson

Last updated at 12:42, Thursday, 18 February 2010

Workington Town 18 Swinton Lions 19: One agonising point was all that stood between Workington Town and a deserved share of the spoils with Swinton Lions last night.

Scott Kaighan scores

A much improved Workington side could and probably should have wrapped this game up, following a superb opening 40 minutes that saw them go in ahead at the break.

But a couple of little niggles crept into the game, and they created opportunities for Swinton to get back into the game and their experienced campaigners did not need asked twice.

It was the boot of one such player, Graham Holroyd, that was the final difference between the sides, his drop-goal with six minutes remaining proved crucial to the travelling Lions.

The introduction of Gary Hulse by Swinton, proved a turning point in the first half, he began to marshal their play and proved a constant thorn in Town’s side.

But, to the home side’s credit, this was their best performance in a long time and the ovation by the Town faithful at the end of the match proved they have given their fans plenty to be hopeful about for the coming league season.

If they can produce performances like this each week, then Workington will certainly test many of the teams in Championship One.

Town were dominant for the first 40 minutes, taking a 10-0 lead but they allowed their opponents back into the game and Swinton stepped up a gear to overtake their hosts at the final whistle.

Workington were quick off the mark in the opening encounters, driving forward well and they gained quick reward after just 10 minutes, Jarrad Stack pushing forward for the line before popping a lovely ball out to Aaron Low who touched down. Scott Kaighan added the extras and all was rosy at Derwent Park.

Liam Finch was peppering the Swinton defence with a number of tricky kicks and their defence was working overtime to defuse the threat.

Low broke downfield to put Town into another good position, with Andrew Beattie in support and Swinton were penalised for offside, which left Kaighan another two-pointer which he easily dispatched for 8-0.

Swinton’s Ian Watson tried to get them back into the game with a successful 40/20 kick and there seemed to be no stopping Sam Reay as he hurtled towards the Town line but a tremendous effort from the home defence held him up.

Mike Backhouse was then called upon to stop the progress of Darren Bamford, wrapping him up.

And Kaighan slotted over another penalty shortly on the half hour mark for Town to take a convincing 10-0 lead.

But then Swinton came back into the game, noticeably after the introduction of the wily Gary Hulse.

They attacked down the right flank with Gavin Dodd. He passed inside to Carl Sneyd, who then lobbed the ball over the top of the Town defenders for the supporting Hulse to score, Dodd converting.

Scott Burgess picked up the reins for Town and he made a great break but the final kick went astray and the half ended with the home side in the ascendancy 10-6.

Much as the start of the first half belonged to Town, parts of the second half had Swinton’s name all over them.

Town were called on to defend but they repelled the attacks, mainly led by Ian Watson and Hulse.

And they had their moments on the break, with Stack, the on-loan Ruairi McGoff and Kris Coward all making good yards and the kicking game of Liam Finch and Scott Burgess creating opportunities.

Swinton were then reduced to 12-men with sub Andy Isherwood penalised for lying on but they were not deterred.

And when, shortly after, Town’s Brett Carter was also sent to cool his heels for 10 minutes, it was the experienced Swinton outfit that capitalised.

Neil Frazer, showing up well on his return, and Kaighan put Lions winger Robert Foxen into touch, as he looked to score out wide. And then Liam Finch looked certain to score as he strode down towards the Swinton line only to be stopped agonisingly short, with support beckoning.

The ball then came out to Andrew Beattie but a high shot on the Aussie centre by Dodd was caught by referee Dave Merrick and Kaighan slotted over the resulting penalty to widen the gap to 12-6.

Then Dodd, who may have been lucky to stay on the field, proved Town’s real tormentor as he went to the opposite end of the field and scored as they took advantage of their extra man. He also converted and the two sides were back to level pegging.

Four minutes later and Swinton were in front, strong running centre Carl Sneyd stepping through the shell shocked Town defence, with Dodd converting to put them six points clear.

Both sides had more chances but it looked to be all over when experienced campaigner Holroyd slotted over the field goal.

But nobody told Workington that as, with three minutes left on the clock, they set up a grandstand finish that had spectators out of their seats.

Brett Carter made a superb run from off his own line and Town moved down the length of the field, he was halted but the ball was kicked forward and Scott Kaighan won the chase and touched down, before converting himself.

Unfortunately Town were just out of time but could congratulate themselves on a much improved performance, but on this form perhaps a game they should have won.

Town: Carter, Backhouse, Beattie, Low, Frazer, L Finch, Kaighan, McGoff, Hewitt, Coward, Whitehead, Stack, Campbell. Subs: Wilson, Robinson, Burgess, Coupar.

Tries: Low, Kaighan; Goals: Kaighan 5.

Sin bin: Carter (57) – holding down.

Swinton: Dodd, Foxen, Reay, Sneyd, Bamford, Holroyd, I Watson, Newton, Hull, Wilson, P Smith, Rigby, A Smith. Subs: Hulse, Wingfield, Johnson, Isherwood.

Tries: Hulse, Dodd, Sneyd; Goals: Dodd 3; Drop-goal: Holroyd 1

Sin bin: Isherwood (51) – holding down.

Half-time: 10-6.

Penalties: 11-8.

Referee: Dave Merrick.

Attendance: 286.

Star Man: Scott Kaighan.

First published at 11:29, Thursday, 18 February 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk