It’s now four defeats in succession for Workington Zebras as they went down 24-7 to St Benedict’s at The Ellis.
The first half of this Counties 1 Cumbria clash was evenly balanced on the whole, as both sides equally strong in defence and attack – with the deadlock only broken after 20 minutes when Benny’s took the lead with a try by Paul Cullnean, converted by Aiden Pirie.
However, that lead barely lasted five minutes as Zebras drew level with a converted try of their own.
Dan Hargreaves made the touchdown and Cade Bales added the extras and the score remained 7-7 at half time.
It was a totally different story in the second half, as St Benedict’s stepped up a gear straight from kick-off and it only took them three minutes to regain the lead with another try by Cullnean, converted by Rylan Templeton.
Then on 53 minutes they increased their lead by once again cutting the Zebras defence to shreds with another try from Cullnean to complete his hat-trick.
Templeton converted. Five minutes later Templeton added a penalty to give them a healthy 17-point cushion ahead of the final quarter.
By this time, Workington were reeling from their visitors’ onslaught and try as they might, they just couldn’t find a way through St Benny’s ever alert and rigidly solid defensive wall.
But then on 65 minutes, a well drilled pass and move play saw the Zebras within an inch of the tryline, but St Benedict’s held firm and managed to kill the ball in time to effectively seal victory.
Workington now sit 11th in the Cumbria Counties 1 league table and their next fixture is away to Whitehaven on November 22, then back at The Ellis the following week against Keswick 2nds.
Benny’s are fourth in the table with matches coming up at home to Ambleside (November 22) and at home to Egremont (November 29).
