Not for the first time Workington Town came from behind to edge a thriller at the Fibrus Community Stadium.
They beat Rochdale Hornets 14-12 after trailing 6-0 at the break, and then having to endure five tense minutes at the end after the visitors scored their second converted try.
Town gave debuts to their two wingers – Billy Southward, grandson of Workington legend Ike Southward and Henry Hadfield, a former Fylde rugby union favourite.
Both did well with Southward making a mistake-free first appearance and Hadfield scoring a try in an eye-catching debut.
It had been a hard-fought first-half with no quarter asked or given and it remained at 0-0 with both defences doing well until the 33rd minute.
After some strong pressure the Town defence was breached for the first time when Jordan Andrade powered over on last tackle. Max Flanagan added the extras.
Town came out of the traps like a scalded cat in the second half and on 43 minutes reduced the arrears with a try in the corner from Jason Mossop. The conversion from Carl Forber was off target.
Back came Town and on 50 minutes they went in again at the corner. This time it was new boy Hadfield who finished off but again Forber couldn’t convert.
After a spell of Rochdale pressure while Town were down to 12 men, the home side scored what proved to be the killer try on 67 minutes when Jordan Burns scooted from dummy half. Forber converted for a 14-6 lead.
Rochdale, who have not won at Workington for 13 years, fought back with a try five minutes from time by former Whitehaven forward Daniel Spencer-Tonks which Flanagan converted.
But Workington were not to be denied and were able to post back-to-back wins ahead of next week’s long trek to Cornwall.
Full-back Zerrin Galea and stand-off Jordan Burns were outstanding for the home side.
