Last updated 19:39, Thursday, 13 March 2008

FIFTY years ago, Workington Town appeared in the last of their three Challenge Cup finals at Wembley.

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Hat-trick star Shaun Lunt on the rampage against Wigan St Pat's in the Challenge Cup third round at Derwent Park

That day ended with a narrow 13-9 defeat to Wigan. In 1955, they went down to Barrow 21-12. And no Town fan will need to be reminded of their cup final heroics in 1952, when the West Cumbrians beat Featherstone 18-10 to lift the famous trophy for the only time in their history.

On Sunday, Town started their bid for the cup against amateurs Wigan St Patrick’s and ran out comfortable 50-14 winners.

But how times have changed, and all that they can expect to get out of the competition these days is a match against one of the big boys in the fourth round (visit www.timesandstar.co.uk for last night’s draw).

Last year, it was Leeds Rhinos at Headingley, a good payday for the NL2 side, a pay day that is vital for today’s lesser clubs.

Coach Dave Rotheram was happy with his side’s first win this season, but he wasn’t too pleased with errors that handed St Pat’s possession regularly.

In fact, the amateurs from Lancashire took the lead in the third minute after winger Martyn Wilson dropped the ball deep in his own half. Town were then adjudged offside and Ian Schofield stepped up to slot an easy two points.

But the rest of the half belonged to Town who ran in six tries courtesy of Shaun Lunt, who crossed for a hat-trick of touchdowns, Mark McCully (2) and Jason Mossop.

Carl Forber added five from six attempts at goal, his one missed opportunity coming back off the upright, and Town went in with a 34-2 advantage at the break.

And the second half started as the first had finished. Town held the upper hand, the visitors rarely threatening the home line.

Ryan Benjafield drove over from close range in the 42nd minute, Forber adding the two, before Dean Burgess (53 mins) and Ryan Blair (59 mins), plus one Forber conversion, saw Town hit the 50 mark.

But all credit to the amateurs who hit back with two converted tries in the final quarter.

In the 64th minute, Schofield intercepted a wild Franco Kmet pass deep inside his own half, to go 70 metres and outpace the Town defence to raise the biggest cheer of the afternoon from a measly crowd of 333. Schofield improved his own touchdown for 50-8.

And, five minutes later, Gary Phillips got the touch after good work on the left from winger Steve Smith, Schofield again adding the goal, to complete the scoreline.

It was a no win situation for Town and, had the tie not have been switched to Derwent Park, there was little doubt Town would have got their all-important first victory of 2008.

Shaun Lunt looked in superb form at hooker, his hat-trick of tries setting the early pace, while new half-back signing Jay Duffy, who hadn’t played for six months, was instrumental in a handful of tries by supplying the final pass.

Rob Lunt put in a quality performance from the loose-forward position, while Dexter Miller and Dean Burgess showed good form on the day.

Town: McCully, Blair, Routledge, Mossop, Wilson, Forber, Duffy, Burgess, S Lunt, Beaumont, Marsh, Kmet, R Lunt. Subs: Miller, Tunstall, Benjafield, Lavulavu.

Attendance: 333