Anthony Murray won his first trophy as Workington Town coach and dedicated it to the fans.
A 36-28 victory over Whitehaven won back the Ike Southward Memorial Trophy, a hero for Town fans over many years.
“I was so pleased for the supporters because they backed us throughout last season and were backing and roaring us on throughout the game.
“We have done well against Championship sides so far, and I thought we were unlucky to lose the 1895 Cup game a fortnight ago so this was our reward,” said Murray.
In many ways the second meeting between the two old rivals was a direct reversal to the first when Haven won 28-22 at the Fibrus Community Stadium.
Haven coach Jonty Gorley had challenged his players to start much better and they were certainly quick out of the blocks.
In the first 14 minutes they had established a 16-0 lead but by half-time Town had pulled it back to 16-12 – exactly the interval lead Workington enjoyed in the 1895 Cup game.
But in the second-half it was very much Workington who called the shots, pulling away to lead 28-16 before Haven came back into it to level and set up a tasty finale.
Whitehaven’s first try came after only a minute when Jamie Doran fired a high ball towards the corner where Oscar Doran climbed highest to collect and go over for an unconverted try.
Former Workington skipper Jamie Doran was next to score when he went on a run across the posts and then straightened up to get past two poor tackles to get over. Lachlan Hanneghan converted.
When Ross Ainley crashed over from close range on 14 minutes and Hanneghan converted, Whitehaven looked to be well in control.
But gradually Town battled back into the contest and it was a former Whitehaven player Chris Taylor who stretched-out to get the ball down when tackled just short and Cieran Walker added the conversion on 20 minutes.
A thundering charge for the line from Jack Stephenson, who was to emerge as Town’s top player, brought him the second try on 34 minutes and Walker’s conversion set-up an intriguing second half.
Crucially for Whitehaven they had Joey Romeo sin-binned after five minutes of the second-half over his reaction after a Walker tackle.
During his absence Town took full advantage with two tries on 46 and 52 minutes from Matty Henson and Jake Bradley, both from close range and both improved by Walker to lead 24-16.
Ike is home. ????⚪️ pic.twitter.com/3UuREtlkPU
— Workington Town (@WorkingtonTown) March 3, 2024
The best try of the game came on 55 minutes when superb quick hands across the line sent Dave Ecclestone away, still with work to do, but he held off the challengers to make the line. Walker’s missed kick was his only failure.
Whitehaven, to their credit, came back with their best spell of the second-half and on 62 minutes they reduced the arrears when Dion Aiye finished off a clever move near the line. Hanneghan converted.
On 68 minutes they were level when Jamie Doran scored his second of the game and Hanneghan converted. They seemed to have regained the momentum.
But then saint became sinner as Jamie Doran knocked-on near his own line and from the scrum Whitehaven gave away a penalty which Walker landed in off the post.
Back came Whitehaven and were pressing again on 78 minutes when Hanneghan through a pass wide which was intercepted by Johnny Hutton who raced 80 yards for the try which Carl Forber converted – and Ike’s Cup was back home!
