There were a few goodbyes being said at the Fibrus Community Stadium this afternoon as Workington Town completed their home programme.
Coach Anthony Murray is on his way after two years, reportedly joining Keighley Cougars for 2025, while record-breaking Carl Forber was retiring.
Murray got his winning farewell as Town easily saw off the challenge of Newcastle Thunder by 46-0 and Forber was able to add five conversions to his already impressive tally.
It didn’t take long for Town to open their account against a Thunder side who haven’t earned a single point this season and have conceded over 1,000 points in the process.
Matty Henson went over after sustained pressure but on this occasions, against a difficult wind, Forber couldn’t add the extras.
Big Brad Brennan was next to go over as Newcastle joust couldn’t hold him back as he took three over with him and this time Forber managed the conversion.
Ciaran Walker then produced a clever kick which was collected by Tommy Brierley to score and again Forber was on target.
On 16 minutes Town scored again when Forber was provider after some quick passing along the line and it was Chris Taylor who was the beneficiary, going in for the touchdown but the kick was missed.
When Newcastle didn’t deal with a kick through Zarrin Galea, the find of the season, took advantage by nipping in for another unconverted try.
The final try of the half came from Jake Bradley wide out on the left but again it was too tough for a conversion.
But 28-0 at half-time was a handy lead and really it was game over against a Newcastle side who offered very little in attack.
To be fair to Thunder it was still 28-0 going into the final quarter and that was when the home side added the rest of their points.
As he had at the start it was Henson who went over from close range and Forber converted.
Brennan barged over for his second try soon afterward and Forber added the extras.
Jack Stephenson completed the try-scoring when he charged over near the posts and fittingly, the last scoring act of the game, was a conversion by Forber.
When you consider that Forber was off kicking duties last season when Ciaran Walker was banging them over, his final points tally for Town would have been even higher.
A fine rugby league player, a total team man and a popular member of the local community after settling in the area, Carl Forber goes into retirement with his head held high.
