It was an opportunity missed by Workington Town as they slipped to a surprising 26-16 home defeat by Midlands Hurricanes.
Keighley, probably Town’s main rivals for second spot behind Oldham, were also beaten at home – going down 26-18 to Hunslet.
This was supposed to be the day that Town’s promotion push was notched up a level as three new overseas arrivals made their club debuts.
All showed decent qualities but they couldn’t prevent Town from sliding to a second home defeat – the first since an opening day reversal against hot title favourites Oldham.
The Hurricanes had made a decent start and they scored on only eight minutes when they moved the ball wide for Ryan Johnson to dive over in the corner.
The visitors opted to kick at goal from a penalty on 11 minutes and Jake Sweeting duly obliged with a successful kick.
Town opened their account on 16 minutes when a set play finished with Ethan Bickerdike scoring, but unfortunately Ciaran Walker’s conversion attempt came back off the post.
The Hurricanes responded on 27 minutes when a grubber from Callum McLelland was collected by Sweeting to touchdown, and his conversion gave the visitors a 12-4 lead.
But on 33 minutes Town reduced the arrears, and it was a debut try from new forward Pone Tongia who forced his way over from closer range. Walker landed the conversion and that’s how it remained until half-time.
Towen have produced a number of second-half come-backs from worse positions so supporters were not unduly worried – but it did not happen this time.
On 53 minutes Callum McLelland scored a fine solo goal, racing 30 metres from a scrum and with a clever dummy finishing it off. Sweeting converted.
On the hour the Midlands side scored again. A short pass from Sweeting sent Tom Wilkinson in for his eighth try of the season which Sweeting converted.
The final quarter saw tempers frayed when the Hurricanes had two men sent to the bin and Town had Walker sent-off, although it was not clear as to why.
Town did score another try from Jarrod Sammut, which Walker converted before his exit but Hurricanes had the final word when Sweeting kicked a late penalty.
