The travel sickness that has afflicted Workington this season spread to The Ellis as they conceded their 100% home record by going down 17 - 10 to Cockermouth in a close, tense encounter.

For virtually most of the first half, only a Zebras penalty on 15 minutes from Scott Rooke was the difference with strong, tight and resilient defending taking precedence and although both sides did produce occasional moments of attacking play, there was no immediate threat of either tryline being disturbed.

However, Workington gradually moved up a level in the last ten minutes, especially with Jonny Howarth, Tom Lawson and Jack Todhunter all working very hard and their persistence was rewarded on the stroke of half time as an impressive attacking surge ended with Todhunter scything through the Cockermouth ranks to storm home for a well earned try that Rooke wasted no time in converting to make it 10 - 0 at the interval.

Whatever was said to the Cockermouth players clearly worked as they began the second half with brand new determination and within two minutes they punished the Zebras' loss of concentration and reduced the deficit with an unconverted try.

As with the first half, a sustained period of trenchant rearguard action took hold, with both sides again nullifying each other with trenchant defending with the odd burst of attacking surges in each other's half.

But this time round, it was Cockermouth who built up momentum with a prolonged spell of scrummaging deep in Zebras territory and on 65 minutes, one last push saw them crash over the whitewash and set up an easy conversion to put them ahead for the first time.

With time running out, Workington pressed hard in search of regaining the lead with Howarth, Todhunter and Lawson again in the thick of it as they delivered several threatening inroads, but Cockermouth were just as resolute in their staunch rearguard action.

Having soaked up the ongoing pressure, Cockermouth finally landed the sucker punch and two minutes from time capitalised on the tiring Zebras by cutting their defence to ribbons and going into the corner for their third try of the day to seal victory and maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

Just as Workington can take pride in making the league leaders fight for their victory, so they will be bitterly disappointed not to have taking advantage - especially after being 10 - 0 up at half time.

The Zebras now lie eighth in Cumbria One and after a week's rest, they return to league action with back to back away trips to Egremont and Hawcoat Park.

By John Hastings @ The ESG

Workington RFC

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