Workington Town wither in the Yorkshire heat

Yesterday’s Betfred Championship contest between Dewsbury Rams and Workington Town – the 80th fixture between the two sides – lived up to its end-to-end billing on a boiling afternoon in West Yorkshire.

There was lots of promise – such as Bear Williams making a big 10-metre charge up the pitch – but the score stuck at 0-0 for 21 minutes.

In the opening quarter of an hour Joe Summers had the ball ripped from his grasp by Town’s Jack Stephenson in some strong play, and possession continually went from side to side.

It was a Jamie Doran kick that unlocked the Rams’ defence in the 21st minute and allowed Zarrin Galea to dot down on the left-hand side to give first blood to Town, Carter converting for his 34th goal of the season, 0-6.

A kick by Doran in the 24th minute bobbled and eventually Mason Lewthwaite dotted over but the try was ruled out for a forward pass. 

The exciting but exhausting first half saw the pendulum swing Dewsbury’s way and they made a repeat set count when Summers forced his way over to score in the 33rd minute (his second of the season), but Jacob Hookem’s conversion attempt failed when it cannoned off the post, making it 4-6.

Within minutes a misplaced kick by Town debutant Tanna Featherstone saw Rams’ Monty Lumb collect the ball and he tipped the scoreline on its head by getting his third try in three appearances, and Hookem converted for 10-6, which is how the scoreline stayed until half time.

After the break both teams emerged back into the sunshine without any changes to the line-up.

Rams were first on the scoreboard three minutes in the second half when George Senior crashed over for his fourth try of the season on the back of a penalty. Hookem’s conversion fell just wide, making it 14-6.

Bear Williams forced an error for Town on the half-way line and a good showing followed by the Cumbrians.

Eight minutes into the half Lucas Castle touched down but it was ruled to be off a forward pass so the score remained.

Castle and Valu Tane Bentley soon exchanged words and the referee intervened for a discreet talking to.

On 15 minutes Thomas Delaney pounced on a cracking kick from Senior to go over the line and Hookem – way out on the touchline – this time succeeded in the conversion, making it 20-6 to the Rams.

Unbowed, Town looked to be building up the pressure and Jude Lupton stopped an attempt to score by Hookem but Lumb did manage to get through in the 67th minute and Hookem again added the extras, 26-6.

Shortly afterwards a freak injury saw Jake Carter out of action.

With just 10 minutes remaining Town needed to give themselves a chance but the heat plus Rams’ four tries inside 20 minutes looked to have taken their toll on the Cumbrians. There were still flashes of effort but not enough to stop Jack McShane going over the whitewash right under the posts in the dying minutes, and Hookem made it four goals from six attempts, ending the game 32-6.

DEWSBURY: Craig McShane, George Rayner, Bailey O’Connor, George Senior, Thomas Delaney, Daniel Coates, Jacob Hookem, Luke Nelmes, Jack McShane, Jacob Bateman, Joseph Summers, Brad Graham, Louis Collinson. Subs: Lumb, Roberts, Algar, Bentley.

WORKINGTON: Zarrin Galea, Jake Dickinson, Evan Lawther, Tanna Featherstone, Jake Carter, Jamie Doran, Ross Ainley, Tuarae Rawhiti, Bear Williams, Mason Lewthwaite, Jack Ainley, Jack Stephenson. Subs: Jude Lupton, Stevie Scholey, Callum Farrer, Lucas Castle.

Referee: Adam Williams.