Delighted Workington Town coach Leon Pryce praised his side’s spirit as they came back from 18-0 down to win a tight encounter with Newcastle Thunder.

Pryce hailed an improved performance and said he was proud of their responses in the latter stages of the first half to bring the scoreline all level at the break.

Town went on to win 32-30 after some tense final moments in the League One encounter but Pryce was thrilled to get the points in the bag.

“I thought we controlled the ball better this week but I still think we can clean up with the discipline for penalties,” he said.

“But overall, after going 18-0 down against a very good team, I have to say that I am so proud of the boys’ response.

“You can buy players and spend a lot of money but one thing you can’t buy is spirit and I thought the boys showed our togetherness and our team spirit there to come back from 18-0 down. I thought we did fantastic.

“I think some would say we maybe didn’t deserve to go in at the break at 18-all but I think you make your own luck and I thought the second half of the first half we really did have a massive comeback.”

After going 18-0 down, Pryce made a couple of substitutions that seemed to turn the game around with Sam Hopkins entering the field and Fuifui Moimoi making his long-awaited comeback.

And Pryce had special praise for the duo, alongside influential half-back Jamie Doran, who had a hand in several home tries.

“Hoppy had a massive game, he had a massive impact and Fui was fantastic, it’s so good to have him back,” added Pryce.

“They made a massive impact, Hoppy was fantastic and at 18-0 down, I had to change something around.

“Jamie Doran also took a step in the right direction to getting his form back.”