With relegation from Cumbria North Lancs, dumped out of 2 cups in a week and a faltering Cumbria League campaign, 2017 has - to quote HM The Queen - an Annus Horribilis for Workington.

They finished the year as they began it with another defeat - their 6th straight loss in all competitions - as they went down 24 - 27 at The Ellis to promotion chasing Furness in a game that they could - indeed, should have won.

In a tense opening 15 minutes, the Zebras just edged it as they lay siege into Furness territory but they were thwarted by a staunchly resolute defence.

Then, against the run of play it was the visitors who broke the deadlock when their first serious inroad into Zebras' 22 produced impressive scrimmaging that was rewarded with an unconverted try.

Unlike recent matches, Workington didn't fold and with Jonny Howarth, Grant Reid and Scott Campbell in the forefront of the action, created several chances but could not deliver the final blow as they were undone by clumsly knock ons and the impregnable Furness rearguard.

To rub salt into the wound, Furness doubled their lead on the half hour after another strong scrum led to a fine pass and move sequence.

Barely 5 minutes of the second half had passed when the visitors delivered another unconverted try but Workington refused to buckle under and on 50 minutes they finally broke through as Jonny Howarth broke free from Furness shackles before offloading to John McCrickerd who went under the posts to set up an easy conversion for Sam Robinson.

However, their new found confidence was punctured 8 minutes later when a stray pass was punished by Furness who proceeded to score their 4th try and thus bank a bonus point.

On 63 minutes, Workington hit back in kind when the peerless Howarth started the attack which was ultimately completed by Shaun Murphy who stormed into the corner, though Robinson was unable to add the conversion this time.

But Furness raised their game and 12 minutes from time went 27 - 12 ahead as they punished their hosts' slack marking to power through for their 5th try and 1st conversion.

Once again, Workington kept plugging away at the prospect of an unlikely smash and grab job and on 73 minutes, the mission was on when they were awarded a penalty try after Tom Lawson was high tackled with the whitewash at his mercy.

With Furness now a man short for the rest of the match, the onus was with Workington and 3 minutes from time they clinched a bonus point of their own after Mark Murphy thundered his way through the tired Furness ranks to touch down. However, the conversion was missed.

The Zebras threw everyone at Furness in the closing stages, but the visitors held firm and their relief at the final whistle was clearly obvious.

For Workington, those two missed conversions proved costly and their injury list increased when Grant Reid was stretchered off towards the end with a nasty looking knock.

By John Hastings @ The ESG

Workington RFC

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