So close to derby upset
Last updated 10:55, Friday, 15 February 2008
Town almost pulled off a massive shock before going down by eight points to their West Cumbrian neighbours.
With 65 minutes gone, Town had pegged Haven back to 20-18 and, with the visitors flagging, anything could have happened.
But a touch of brilliance by Haven centre Derry Eilbeck in the 67th minute settled the score as he put Craig Calvert through for the winning score.
Few would have given Workington a chance after their 48-0 mauling in the Ike Southward Memorial Trophy game six weeks ago.
But, after good results against Leigh and Halifax in recent weeks, Town coach Dave Rotheram again demanded improvement and that is exactly what he got.
It was a thrilling game, one that the derby deserves. The only downside, that there were only 1,276 supporters there to witness it.
Haven came at Town from the kick-off, Jason Mossop and Mark McCully bundling Ade Adebisi into touch a metre out in only the third minute.
Four minutes later, Town were awarded a penalty for offside 18 metres out and decided to run the ball. And two plays later, a high tackle from Ryan McDonald earned them another penalty six metres closer, one they decided to kick. Carl Forber slotted the goal and Town were 2-0 ahead.
Graeme Mattinson had to be alert to thwart a Rob Lunt break in the 10th minute and, with McDonald making precious yards every time he touched the ball, Haven began to get the upper hand.
And their reward came two minutes later when the Town defence was caught flat and Eilbeck cruised in at the corner for an easy try. Carl Rudd missed the kick from the touchline but Haven led 4-2.
Leroy Joe and Matthew Tunstall were singled out by the referee after a bit of niggle, before Jamie Beaumont was pulled up for a high tackle on Gary Broadbent in what was becoming a full-blooded derby game.
Dexter Miller intercepted and made 40 metres into Haven territory as he relieved the pressure on his own line in the 23rd minute, before Town were reduced to 12 men when Scott Burgess saw yellow after a high tackle on Broadbent after following a deep Forber kick in the 26th minute.
And a minute later Haven made the most of the extra man when, after a good break by Scott McAvoy, Rudd put Richard Fletcher in for his side's second try. Rudd added the two and Haven led 10-2 a lead they held to the interval.
Great interplay instigated by John Duffy saw Haven extend their lead three minutes into the second half, Sice going in under the posts for an excellent try which Rudd converted to give the visitors a 16-2 lead.
But back came Town, showing the type of spirit that Rotheram has instilled in them, and a try in the 45th minute was no more than they deserved. Rob Lunt managed to get a boot to a loose ball before collecting, and feeding Mark Routledge who went over for his second try in two games. Forber goaled from wide on the right and the gap had narrowed to 16-8.
Two penalties in two minutes from Forber, after superb work by Ryan Benjafield and Mossop, cut Haven's lead to 16-12 in the 51st minute, before Calvert edged the visitors further ahead with a 53rd minute touchdown.
Rudd's conversion attempt came back off the right-hand post and the score remained at 20-12.
Iain Marsh was then put on report for what looked a high tackle on Mark Edmondson, before David Fatialofa, McDonald, Leroy Joe, and John Duffy all went close as Town's solid defence held out close to their own line.
Scott McAvoy's ankle tap on Lunt seemed to save a certain try as Town battled back, and then Adebisi was forced to knock the ball dead following a Forber kick. Eilbeck then had to do the same to a Forber grubber three plays after the restart under the posts, Forber again being instrumental in the next score in the 65th minute.
The Town stand-off looked to be putting the chip to the right but flicked the ball in the opposite direction for on-loan Leigh scrum-half Martin Keavney to get the touch near the posts. Forber added the two and Town were right back in it, two points behind, at 20-18.
But, two minutes later, Eilbeck's fancy footwork down the left earned Calvert an easy run in, Rudd converting, to regain an eight-point advantage 26-18.
In the closing stages either side could have scored but defences held out until the final hooter.
It was a massive improvement from a Town side that could, had the bounce gone their way, pulled off a victory. Haven blew hot and cold and their skill was there to be seen. But Rotheram's game plan almost saw his side grab the three points.
Town will be very happy with the bonus point they picked up, and now a win is a must as they face National League Two opposition for the first time this year when Keighley Cougars visit Derwent Park on Sunday (3pm kick-off).
Town: McCully, Blair, Routledge, Mossop, Wilson, Forber, Keavney, Tunstall, S Burgess, Beaumont, Marsh, Miller, R Lunt. Subs: Robinson, R Campbell, Benjafield, Lavulavu.
Crowd: 1,276.
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