Last updated at 11:33, Friday, 27 July 2012

Workington Town coach Gary Charlton has asked his players to do some soul-searching after they lost their Championship One crunch game at Doncaster last night.

Gary Charlton

The west Cumbrians didn’t even manage a bonus point as they went down 22-6 and for a long time it looked as though they were going to be nilled in a game screened to the rugby league world on Premier Sports.

Peter Lupton did score a try six minutes from the end but it was too little, too late for Town who now slip to third in the race for the title and the £50,000 prize.

“We lost the game in the first-half and I’m afraid we didn’t play anywhere near as well as we can.

“Doncaster controlled the ruck areas and I haven’t seen them defend as well as they did on this occasion. But we weren’t able to ask them any telling questions until it was virtually too late.

“I think the players should be looking at their performances in this game, because they just weren’t up to the standard we are capable of and that we expect.

“It was very disappointing to lose, especially as we couldn’t even get a bonus point to take home with us.”

Town had to go into the contest without loose-forward Dave Petersen, who was wanted by Hull KR to prepare for this weekend’s Super League game, as well as young centre Dan Rooney (damaged knee).

But Doncaster were also without two of their regular squad members, full-back Mick Butterfield and prop Fran Welch who were both injured against Barrow last week.

Town chairman Dave Bowden said: “There are times when you just have to acknowledge that you have lost to the better team and I thought Doncaster were very good on this occasion. I certainly couldn’t fault the lads for effort because there was plenty of that, and for the most part our defence was good.

“But particularly in the first-half we did not ask them enough questions in attack as we lacked creativity to provide the openings.”

Town now have 10 days in which to take stock and prepare for their next game at Gateshead, who are becoming isolated at the foot of the table. Then a week later, on August 12, Town host leaders Barrow a game they must win to revive their title ambitions.

First published at 11:25, Friday, 27 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk