New skipper Oliver Wilkes has pointed out Workington Town are now just 80 minutes away from possibly playing a top Super League side after Saturday’s 24-16 Ladbrokes Challenge Cup win at Hunslet Club Parkside.

The Leeds-based club are arguably the hottest property in the amateur game having gained promotion as champions four seasons in a row to stand among those favoured for National Conference League Premier Division honours this year.

Wilkes admits the fast-rising treble trophy winners, who also won the BARLA National Cup and NCL Trophy in 2017, proved every bit as tough as Workington had expected.

He said: “It was a physical game but it’s a final for any amateur team playing against a semi-professional outfit, so we expected them to give it their all.

“They worked really hard and the pitch [at the South Leeds Stadium] is a small one which played into their hands as it’s difficult to throw the ball wide and it enabled them to keep it tight down the middle.”

The ground – regular home to Town’s Betfred League One rivals Hunslet RLFC yet barely half a mile from Parkside’s usual home – is shared by Leeds City Athletic Club.

Wilkes continued: “Pitches are always tight when they are inside a running track and it was always difficult when I played for Sheffield at the Don Valley Stadium.

“When we were trying to shift the ball wide, they shepherded us towards the touchline but it was the same for both sides.

"They rarely looked like breaking us and a couple of their three tries came from errors.

“So it was a solid performance – we got a few bumps and bruises but nothing that I think we are worried about.”

Wilkes commended new signing Jordan Tansey who made his debut at full-back.

“It was his first game and he’s been with us less than a week so doesn’t know everyone’s name yet," Wilkes said.

"That makes it difficult when you are directing everyone around the back of the field in defence, and left the onus on us to look up and see which way he was pointing.

“It was a good first hit-out for him and I’m looking forward to seeing him with a little more game-time under his belt.

“It would be good for the club to get a good competitive side in the next round but obviously a home tie would be nice and, if we can win, we are looking at the possibility of drawing a big Super League side in the following round.”

Workington head coach Leon Pryce is expecting Carl Forber, who came off in the first half with a tight hamstring, to be back on the field for next week’s first home game of the season against North Wales Crusaders, with the missing Jamie Foster (ill) and Ryan Bailey (calf) also available for selection.