A penalty eight minutes from time sent Workington Town to a 24-22 defeat at Midlands Hurricanes and ended their season.
They lost in the League One elimination play-off semi-final and that’s it as far as the 2024 season is concerned.
Although trailing at the break 18-12 Town had fought their way into a 22-18 lead in the 52nd minute, but the home side drew level and then won it with a late penalty from Jake Sweeting.
It was a gritty performance from Town who only clinched the last play-off place after an injury-hit campaign and gave a good account of themselves against one of the most improved side’s in the competition.
The Cumbrians made a superb start with a try on three minutes when they capitalised on a goal-line drop-out and Jordan Burns squeezed over to the right of the posts with Carl Forber adding the conversion.
The Hurricanes drew level on seven minutes when Dave Hewitt danced through a hesitant defence to score the try which Sweeting converted.
Four minutes later after a high tackle the home side was awarded a penalty and Sweeting stroked his side in front.
Expecting a tight struggle, Midlands were always up for taking any points on offer when penalties came their way and on 22 minutes Sweeting fired over his second from 40 metres.
The lead was increased two minutes later when Jon-Luke Kirby took a short pass, broke the line and then barged through the last tackle to score. Sweeting converted for a 16-6 lead.
The Hurricanes failed to deal properly with the re-start kick and Town found themselves in possession deep in home territory. It was Brad Brennan who used his strength to power over for a try which Forber converted.
On 32 minutes Town were penalised for another high shot and Sweeting made them pay with a third successful kick.
Within ten minutes of the second-half re-starting Town were in front. The home side couldn’t control a kick on last tackle and Ethan Bickerdike steamed in to grab the bouncing ball and go over on 42 minutes.
Forber missed that kick but he made no mistake a few minutes later when Burns scored his second try and Town had edged in front at 22-18.
On 66 minutes Hurricanes were level. Matty Chrimes, who had made the mistake which led to Bickerdike’s try made amends when he collected a chip from Hewitt and scored in the corner. Sweeting, for the first time, missed the kick to leave the game all square.
Eventually it all hinged on the penalty after 72 minutes and Sweeting made no mistake by nailing the kick.
It was the final game for coach Anthony Murray after two years and now Town will have to decide who follows him into the dug-out.
The bookies favourite appears to be former Whitehaven coach Jonty Gorley, a former Town player and assistant coach but the club have not indicated when they intend to make an announcement on the position.
