Workington Town got their season up and running with a 48-18 win at bottom side Newcastle Thunder.
It was comfortable in the end but at half-time Town trailed 18-12, so scoring 36 unanswered points in the second-half was the most encouraging aspect of the performance.
There was also a memorable debut for Penrith rugby union winger Brad Taylor as the Cockermouth-based flier claimed a hat-trick of tries.
It was returning prop Jordan Thomson who gave Town a positive start when he finished off by the posts after quick hands had opened up the gap for the former Hensingham amateur to exploit. Ciaran added the extras.
When Jason Mossop finished off another slick handling move with the second try which Walker improved it was looking like a romp
But Newcastle, heavily beaten in their first two League One games rallied, and by half-time had scored three converted tries to lead at the break 18-12.
Brad Ward, Alex Donaghy and Luke Jeremy all crossed and Jack Potter added the conversions to leave Anthony Murray’s men rather shell-shocked as they took their break.
Murray demanded an instant response and it got it on the restart when more smart handling put Brad Taylor in for his first professional try.
It didn’t take him long to follow up, showing good space to go in for his second touchdown and that paved the way for a third unconverted try to launch Town’s second-half recovery. This time Jake Bradley made a break and sent Matty Henson in for the touchdown.
Cian Tyrer was next on the score-sheet after a kick-and-chase and this time Walker found his line again to add the conversion.
Chris Taylor was on the score-sheet next when he tricked his way past a couple of poor tackles and ran in towards the posts to give Walker a better angle for his conversion.
It was a big finish from Town and there was still time for Liam McNicholas to put in a storming run from deep to take tacklers over the line with him. Walker converted.
To round it all off for Brad Taylor on an afternoon he won’t forget, he cut in from the wing and showed real pace to make the line and complete his hat-trick. Walker converted.
