» May 23rd 2001
» Town 10 : 21 Doncaster

A mistake-strewn second half performance by Workington Town cost them points and put more pressure on the Cumbrians in their fight to make a top eight place.

For the last 20 minutes in particular it was like watching a re-run of Sunday's conclusion at Rochdale when Town frittered away possession against Oldham in another big game.

They had been in contention at half time, only six points adrift, after a bruising, fiercely contested 40 minutes. But after conceding the first try early in the second period, Town started to lose their way with a series of unforced errors which were to leave coach Gary Murdock deflated and angry. "In some ways that was the worst performance since I've been with the club," stormed Murdock afterwards, insisting that there will be changes for Sunday's huge game against Widnes.

There hadn't been much between the sides in the first half with Doncaster leading 12-6 at the hooter.

Town had opened the scoring on two minutes when Tane Manihera landed a penalty, but the Dragons were back on terms ten minutes later when fullback Johnny Woodcock was successful with his first shot at goal. After Manihera had been just wide with his second penalty attempt Doncaster grabbed the lead on 22 minutes - and again it was like watching an action replay of the Oldham game.

Carl Hall hoisted a bomb aimed for the corner. This time it was Graeme Lewthwaite who was asked to defuse it, but with at least three Dragons challenging him the ball was spilled where it was picked up and given to Woodcock who slipped through for the opening try which he converted himself. Hitro Okesene was working hard for Town and went close after a storming run while Matt Sturm was dragged down a yard short as Town tried to respond in a positive fashion.

They got their breakthrough on 29 minutes. On last tackle Tane Manihera moved the ball out wide and in a desperate scramble the ball was worked back to the stand-off who dived over a ruck of players to score in acrobatic fashion. Unfortunately for Town Doncaster responded quickly. In the 33rd minute, moving the ball neatly along the line they created a chance for Hall to burst through the last tackle and score.

Town were desperate to score first after the break but it was Doncaster who increased their lead. Ex-Town star Brad Hepi suddenly changed direction in midfield and his pass almost on halfway sent Hall slicing through a huge gap and he was able to outpace the Town cover for a vital try which Woodcock converted.

Doncaster were then prepared to edge away with a succession of drop goals from Billy Conway - three in total.

Town's only response, from one of their best attacks of the half, saw Lewthwaite plunge over in the corner by the flag.

Unhappily for Town, their play in the final quarter of the game was particularly sloppy with dropped passes early in the sets of six; free kicks for touch not making the target and players forced into touch on only first or second tackle.

It was a disappointing end to a game which, like Sunday, had started promisingly.

Teams
Town: Stott, Heaney, Frazer, M. Woodcock, Lewthwaite, Manihera, L. Allen, Tunstall, Williamson, Okesene, Hoyles, Sturm, Samuel
Subs: (all used) Wood, Savelio, Sice, Beaumont

Doncaster: J. Woodcock, Bennett, Coult, Garcia, S. Miller, Hall, Handley, David, Edwards, Fella, Atter, Lawton, Hepi
Subs: (all used) Conway, T. Miller, Green, Forsyth

Attendance: 783

Referee: Steve Presley