Having won their last three league games, Workington came south determined to make it four, their pre-match warm-up showing that they had the squad to do so.

Moor were penalised after 5 minutes, the visitors converting for an early 3-point lead, but within another 5 minutes Moor were level, thanks to a weaving run from winger Ivan Smetana which forced Workington to concede a penalty which fly-half Martin Shelley converted. The next 20 minutes were played in the visitor’s half, Shelley putting Moor 6-3 ahead with a second penalty. This was extended when, from a set scrum on their own 22, a quick break-out gave Smetana the chance to race from half-way to score in the corner. Moor continued to dominate possession and position but a strong Workington defence and a slippery ball prevented a further score. Two minutes into injury time, a quickly taken tap penalty on Moor’s 22 allowed the visitor’s second-row to bulldoze his way through for a converted try, which left Moor with a narrow 11-10 lead.

From the re-start, Workington had the better of the game for the next quarter, using a quickly taken tap penalty to score a second try, followed by a penalty to take a 18-11 lead. With 10 minutes to go, a blindside break by No. 8 Nick Smith was chipped ahead for Smetana to outpace the defence for a try in the corner, leaving Moor a tantalising 2 points adrift. Continued pressure in the closing minutes forced Workington to concede a penalty under the posts. Shelley’s kick put Moor ahead by a single point for a well-earned 19-18 victory.

Finally, a word of praise for debutant flanker Tom Ireland, the Colts captain, who had an outstanding game in defence, tackling everything that moved.

This Saturday, Moor visit Garstang in the second round of the EDF Energy Senior Vase competition.