Workington Town slumped to their heaviest defeat of the season, beaten 56-12 at Rochdale Hornets.
The impressive Hornets scored ten tries and virtually had the game sewn up at half-time when they led 34-6, so it was only marginally better for Anthony Murray’s men after the break.
Town have been hit hard by injuries and it didn’t help that they were behind after only ten minutes. An early Rochdale penalty set-up position and Jack Derbyshire slipped through a gape to score an unconverted try.
On six minutes Rochdale were in again when a kick on sixth tackle from Lewis Else was collected by Derbyshire to score his second and Martyn Ridyard’s conversion went in off a post.
Workington came back into the game and after forcing a goal-line drop-out Jake Bradley crashed over from close range and Carl Forber added the conversion.
Town couldn’t build on that and it was Rochdale who scored again on 24 minutes when a great off-load from Deane Meadows found Luke Nelmes who went in for the try and Ridyard converted.
That was the signal for the Workington defence to collapse as Nelmes grabbed his second two minutes later, with Ridyard converting.
On 33 minutes Town were breached again as Rochdale worked the ball to the left where captain Duane Straughier powered through some weak tackles to score. Ridyard converted for a 28-6 lead.
There still wasn’t the refuge of the dressing room for Town, as Straughier went through for his second try two minutes later, and although he missed the conversion, Ridyard added a simple penalty just before the hooter.
Four minutes into the second half Rochdale were in again as Ollie Brookes took a high, looping pass from Ridyard to make the line.
To their credit Workington came back strongly after that forcing two goal-line drop-outs but they couldn’t break the Rochdale defence.
In fact it was Hornets who scored next on 59 minutes and it was West Cumbrian Gregg McNally who dived over in the corner to register his 200th career try. Ridyard converted.
Workington scored their second try on 63 minutes when overseas recruit Zarrin Galea was set free down the left and he finished off well for his first Town touchdown with Forber adding the extras.
Rochdale hit the half century of points on 66 minutes when Ben Forster ploughed through for the try which Ridyard converted.
There was still time for Else to score his second, converted by Ridyard and Town’s nightmare afternoon came to a close.
