Superior fitness sees off the Zebras

And with the score 12-10 to the hosts at half time an upset was a distinct possibility. However, Wigton's ability to score without seeming to dominate possession saw them home in the second half, 39-15, a win which was more comfortable on the scoreboard than on the pitch.

Workington got off to a cracking start, taking the first couple of scrums against the head. Indeed this was an area where Wigton, without two first choice props, were somewhat vulnerable for much of the game. Indeed, Lindsay Walker almost played, but his back went into spasm before kick-off, pushing Russell Maclean into the limelight at prop. Zebras then set up good field position from a pair of quick tapped penalties. Smart handling created space for Martin Armstrong to cross the line for the first try with Fearon converting for a 7-0 lead.

Wigton were rocked back again as the visitors tried to improve their lead, setting up good position in the Wigton 22. Fearon tried a drop at goal. It was a poor effort, but a Wigton hand touched the ball as it went dead, giving Workington a scrum five metres out. The ball was shipped left and Zebras seemed to have an overlap only for Mick George to come inside. The pressure was lifted as Workington were penalised for holding onto the ball after the tackle.

A quick tap led to Wigton's first real attack. Good hands created space for full back Gregg Smith to take play into Workington's 22. However after a few more phrases this promising position was lost when it was Wigton's turn to be pinged for holding on. Indeed, this was to be a feature of the game, to the frustration of both sides; the side in possession seemed to be penalised more than the side in defence, terminating attacks by both teams.

The contest was fairly even around the rucks. Both teams tried to get big forwards such as Marrs for Wigton and Bowe for Workington, running round the fringes, but by and large, defences held firm. Lee, at No 8, tidied up a lot of ball at the base of the Wigton scrum, turning it into useful possession. Zebras were looking lively with the ball and their backs were probably providing more of a threat to Wigton than any set of backs so far this season. Wigton similarly were now looking more threatening as the forwards tried to set up quick ball for the backs. Ali Ledingham used his pace in a good run down the right touch line.

It was not creative play which set up the position for Wigton's first try, but a Workington error. Full back Matthew Gorley seemed to be trying to get his clearance kick in before the ball was in his hands, knocking on and giving Wigton a scrum five metres out. The ball was passed along to winger Ryan Clark who had a sniff of the line but was held up by Scott. Wigton had the scrum feed but Zebras took the ball and cleared to the 22. However Wigton's lineout operated well all afternoon with the simple ball to Atkinson being profitable. From such a line Hanabury made a little dart drawing defenders in and then quick hands enabled the sharp Smith to nip in for a try which he converted to level the scores.

The kick off saw Wigton at their best. Lee fielded the ball and sensing spec on the outside, launched the backs, using the overlap. Support was there to keep the move alive. Hanabury made the key break, and supporting players shipped the ball out to Clark who this time was able to score. The conversion was missed but with a 12-7 lead, Wigton grew in confidence. Indeed, they tried to repeat the recipe at the next kick off but were penalised in midfield for hands in the ruck, giving Fearon a shot at goal. He missed, but was successful shortly afterwards when a loose pass was intercepted, letting Workington set up field position. Thus the halftime score was 12-10, with Workington doubtless feeling confident.

In the second half Wigton had the advantage of the wind, but to be fair rarely used it. The game continued to be keenly contested but amid periods of scrappy play by both sides, Wigton were able to run in another four tries to Workington's one.

Wigton's passing was not quite as sharp as it needed to be and momentum was often lost due to the receiver having to check to take a wayward pass. The home supporters gasped when skipper Atkinson tapped a kickable penalty in a move which led to nothing. They gasped again when he did the same shortly afterwards but this time he was able to set up a position near the line. As the ball was passed, Hanabury threaded his way through several defenders near the line for a splendid try which Smith converted for a 19-10 lead.

The match dawdled its way through the second half with a lot of play in midfield as each side took it in turns to drop the ball, get turned over or penalised. Wigton pressure on the Workington defence led to a hurried kick giving Wigton a lineout only five metres out. The ball was caught and a maul was set up....and then another......and another......etc. Some time later, after spectators had lost sight of the ball, the heaving mass of bodies edged over the line and Liam Graves, making his starting debut, came up for air last with the ball in his hand to claim the try. 24-10 gave Wigton breathing space.

There was a feeling that Zebras felt the game slipping away and they started to tire. Wigton started to get things going their way at scrum time. Russell Maclean and David Waning, in these days of alternating the props, deserve credit for putting in the full eighty minutes and being able to finish on top. When Wigton were awarded a kickable penalty, Atkinson used the shock tactic of calling up Smith for the kick. He was successful, taking the lead to 27-10.

Wigton's next try came from a Workington scrum inside their own half. Wigton took the ball against the head and Lee, now operating at scrum-half, ran across the field for Hanabury to come onto the ball at a great angle and use his pace to run forty metres for his second try. Smith converted to make it 34-10.

Workington were not finished yet however. They won the ball from their own kick off and Martin Armstrong set up good position with a mazy run. As the ball was recycled he was there to take the final pass and score in the left corner, to narrow the lead to 34-15.

Wigton had the final word however. Hanabury tried to breach the defences one last time but was high tackled in the edge of the Workington 22. A quick tap saw the ball in the hands of Atkinson. There was an overlap of three men to his left, but he suddenly realised he hadn't scored yet, so put his head down and, fortunately for him, just made the line. Joking aside, this was Matthew's 17th try of the season, which places him third in the Raptor try scoring lists for English leagues.The conversion was missed, leaving the final score 39-15. Sponsors man of the match award went to John Story for his now regular display of industriousness.

When Scott Smith entered the fray he became the 31st player used this season.

Workington probably felt they gave Wigton a closer game than the scoreboard suggested, but the Greens have shown that even when not at the top of their game they carry a potent try- scoring threat. Workington will not be the last team this season to think they fared better than the final account indicates.

Next week sees bottom against top as Didsbury come up the M6 to Lowmoor Road.The match of the day could well be at Bower Park where Workington visit Aspatria. If they show the determination they showed today, Aspatria could be in for a rough ride.