Workington Town were handed just their third defeat in eight games as they were beaten 27-14 by Dewsbury Rams.

Town gave themselves a mountain to climb after going into half-time 20-0 down and, although they rallied in the second half, gave themselves too much to do in their bid to get back into the game.

Although the game was effectively a dead rubber, the early drives from both sides set the tone but it was Dewsbury’s pack who got the better of their Town counterparts as the first half wore on.

Workington had just four attacking sets in the first 40 minutes and were forced to do a lot of defending as Dewsbury took control of the game to go 20-0 up at the break.

Town conceded two penalties which led to Dewsbury’s first two tries of the afternoon as Aaron Brown was sent over, followed by Ryan Fieldhouse for a 10-0 lead.

Dalton Grant crossed the line and Etu Uaisele barged his way over with Dale Morton adding a penalty just before the half-time hooter for a 20-0 lead.

Town attempted to recreate their heroics from earlier in the season when they came back from behind to draw 20-20 and scored first in the second half through Perry Whiteley. But Brown went over for his second to put Dewsbury 22 points clear.

Workington scored twice through Elliott Miller and Jarrod Sammut to bring Town to within two scores but Tom Hemingway kicked a drop-goal to put daylight between the two sides.

Town may have felt hard done by in the build up to Dewsbury’s first try as Miller forced the ball out of Morton’s grasp in a tackle but no knock-on was given.

They then conceded a penalty which set Dewsbury up on their 10 metre line and danger man Anthony Thackeray found Brown on his outside and the loose forward went through a gap to score.

Dewsbury almost extended their lead immediately after as they broke through Town’s line but Brown knocked on as he tried to take a pass.

Town looked to pin Dewsbury in their half but conceded a penalty after not releasing and the Rams went in for their second try.

Uaisele broke down the right-hand side and the ball was thrown back into the field of play.

It was a loose pass but Fieldhouse managed to beat Town’s defenders to the ball to touch down.

Hemingway converted for a 10-0 lead.

After a lull in play, Dewsbury then went over for their third of the afternoon.

A swift movement from right to left ended with Grant who managed to force his way over in the corner.

Another error from Town led to a try as Carl Forber, on the field from the bench, knocked on with his first touch to hand the ball back to the Rams.

A few tackles later Uaisele was played in from 10 metres out and the centre crashed over to score.

Town were given a team warning by the referee after conceding a penalty for not releasing and, rather than playing on, Morton kicked the penalty for a 20-0 half-time score.

Workignton boss Phil Veivers must have had a stern word with his players at half-time as they were on the scoresheet just minutes after play restarted.

Alex Szostak carried to take Town to within 10 metres and Whiteley was played through a gap for Town’s first try.

But with their next set Town handed the ball straight back after a forward pass which then led to Brown’s second try as Matty Wildie put a kick through with the Rams next possession.

Sam Forrester was then forced off after taking a knee in the back in a tackle by Joel Farrell who was fortunate to stay on the pitch. Callum Phillips was then brought on as a makeshift winger.

There was a crucial moment in the game as Town had repeat sets on Dewsbury’s line but took three dummy-half drives and missed an opportunity as Szostak was held up on the last tackle.

Town then defended their goal line superbly as they were put under pressure by Dewsbury and they were rewarded as they earned a repeat set in the Rams half and Miller was sent over by Sammut for 26-8.

Sammut then went over himself a few moments later after some slick passing from Town’s backline and Forber converted to reduce the deficit to 12 points.

But the gap was too big to close and Hemingway slotted a drop-goal five minutes from time to give Town too much work to do in the closing stages.

Town: Murphy, Forrester, Mossop, Stack, Miller; Sammut, Doran; Coward, C Phillips, Walker, B Phillips, Szostak, McAvoy. Subs: Forber, Olstrom, Whiteley, Scholey.

Attendance: 804.