Workington Town were comprehensively cut down to size by a resurgent North Wales Crusaders side at Derwent Park.
The Welsh side’s win over Barrow last week had helped put Town top and they followed up by showing why they are rated the most improved side in the competition.
Currently third in the table they hammered Town 40-18 leaving Chris Thorman and his players waiting an hour for the Barrow result at Doncaster.
But it proved a fruitful wait as Barrow slumped again, beaten 26-18.They had been back on top for an hour, but despite the defeat Town now lead again.
The Crusaders had led 18-12 at half-time with tries from Ben Morris, Warren Thompson and Alex Eckley, all converted by Tommy Johnson out-scoring Town tries by Zak Olstrom and Marcus O’Brien, converted by Carl Forber.
But all Town could manage in the second-half was a last-minute try from Calvin Wellington, converted by Forber.
By comparison the Crusaders found plenty of gaps in the home defence as they added tries by Pat Ah Van, Rob Massam, Matty Reid and Matthew Race with Johnson adding three more goals.
Barrow actually led 10-6 at half-time with a try from Mark Tyson and three Jamie Dallimore goals.
But when Doncaster levelled within a minute Barrow always seemed to be second best and although Dallimore kept them in it with two more penalty goals the hosts were generally in charge.
Shane Toal gave them hope three minutes from time when he dived over in the corner. Dallimore couldn’t convert and Doncaster had the last word with a converted try in the last minute.
The Barrow cause wasn’t helped by having Sam Dowsett and Dallimore sent to the sin bin at various stages of the game.
