Town’s season over as they fail to tame Cougars
Last updated 12:50, Monday, 08 September 2008
Keighley Cougras 32 Workignton 14: Brave Town lost out in the battle for promotion against bogey team Keighley Cougars during a hard fought elimination play off clash.
In a bruising encounter, Workington lost Bryce Poisel, Shaun Lunt and Iain Marsh to injury but battled to the end as the NL2 league campaign ended in heartache.
The 32-14 defeat means Cougars claimed victories in five league and cup encounters this season.
And on an afternoon of bitter disappointment Town had no answer to the power of Keighley prop Andy Shikell who notched a hat-trick of tries.
Workington coach Dave Rotherham was philosophical in defeat.
He said: “Keighley took their chances and we didn’t but that is the best I’ve seen them play. They defended brilliantly on their own line and were deserved winners.
“Injuries affected us. Poisel did his shoulder, Lunt had to come off early in the second half and Marsh broke an arm at the end but I cannot fault the commitment and effort from the players although we were not good enough today.”
Taking positives from the game, Rotherham cited the performance of Liam Campbell.
“It’s the first time Liam has played in a team coached by me and every time he touched the ball there was a sense of anticipation around him.
“When Liam ran the line you sensed something would happen. I’m looking forward to getting him signed up and having him fully fit for next season.”
Looking back on the campaign, Rotherham noted: “We are the leagues’ underachievers with the players we had available but the potential is there with a nucleus of a squad to sign up.”
Coming into this NL2 elimination clash Town were massive underdogs from the seasonal record between the sides but pre-match Rotherham was buoyed by being able to name one of his strongest line-ups of the campaign with the return of Poisel, Lunt, Young and long-term absentee Campbell (Liam) following knee reconstruction surgery.
Playing the quartet was risky but there were no alternative if Town was to succeed in this win or bust clash.
Following a cagey opening by both teams Cougars got the scoreboard ticking when James Feather sent Shickell over from close range on 12 minutes. Danny Jones converted.
Undaunted, Workington burst into action four minutes later when Ryan Benjafield drove through a static defence before stretching over the whitewash. Karl Forber failed to convert.
The hosts drove back with power and Shickell was on hand to power over on 23 minutes. Jones converted for a 12-4 lead.
On the half hour Town suffered a major setback when the referee stopped play after Poisel suffered a nasty looking shoulder injury.
Following treatment, Poisel assisted by medical staff, departed from the action.
Cougars edged further ahead when a Jones grubber kick came back off the foot of a post for Jon Pressley to touch down under the sticks on 35 minutes. Jones converted.
But Workington showed true mettle and deservedly gained a lifeline just before the break when Lunt showed pace and power to score.
Forber converted to take Town in at the interval 18-10 adrift.
But with the match up for grabs Town were soon shorn of the influential Lunt and Cougars quickly opened a 10-point lead when Jones slotted over a penalty after a holding misdemeanour on 47 minutes.
Dominating play, Keighley ground Town down but failed to land a killer blow through opportunities for Ryan Smith, Pressley and Jones.
And sensing the moment Campbell (Liam) almost sent Jason Mossop over before winger Martyn Wilson had a score ruled out for a forward pass on 67 minutes.
Ten minutes from time gutsy Town lost a third player when Iain Marsh had to leave the field.
Workington battled gamely to reduce the deficit but Cougars claimed the spoils when man of the match Shickell crashed over for a final time on 75 minutes. Jones converted.
Town gained a consolation score through Neil Lowe three minutes from time, Forber failed to convert and Cougars had the last word when substitute Simon Bissell scored from close range on 79 minutes. Jones converted to end the scoring.
MATCH FACTS
COUGARS: George Raynor, Sam Gardner, Dan Potter, Oliver Pursglove, Ryan Smith, Jon Pressley, Danny Jones, Andy Shickell, James Feather, Scott Law, Will Cartledge, Neil Lowe, Chris Redfearn
Subs (all used): Jermaine Wray, Craig Fawcett, Brendon Rawlins, Simon Bissell
Tries: Shickell (3), Pressley, Bissell; Goals: Jones 6/6
TOWN: Jay Duffy, Jamie Marshall, Mark Routledge, James Mossop, Martin Wilson, Carl Forber, Bryce Poisel, Matthew Tunstall, Shaun Lunt, Ryan Benjafield, Iain Marsh, Dexter Miller, Mark McCully
Subs (all used): Liam Campbell, Ryan Campbell, James Robinson, Chris Young
Tries: Benjafield, Lunt, Marsh; Goals: Forber 1/3
Referee: Mr T Albert
Attendance: 933
Star Man: Mark McCully
