Last updated 10:33, Friday, 03 October 2008

WORKINGTON collected their second win of the season – the first on opposition soil – when they beat Burnley 29-22.

Centre Mike Hawley led the Zebras’ victory charge with a hat-trick of tries as the platform for victory was laid in the first half.

Burnley opened the scoring with a penalty and Workington had to do some serious defending early on.

They held out and gradually started to dictate proceedings and were set on their way by elusive centre Hawley.

He picked up a loose ball and danced round two defenders before scoring out wide.

Then after good work by the forwards Carl Metherell crashed over for the second unconverted try.

The Zebras were in full cry now and when the forwards and backs linked really well David Wordsworth powered through, only to be stopped practically on the line. Fortunately John Chisnall was backing up well and he took the popped pass to score. Kevin Harper converted.

Before half-time Hawley scored his second try when he burst through, chipped over the full-back and ran through to pick up and dive over. Harper converted.

Whether Workington thought the job was done and became too complacent, they certainly didn’t want the first half to end because they were poor on the resumption – especially down to 14 men with Hunton in the sin bin.

Burnley were revived by three tries, two of which were converted, so that alarm bells were ringing in the Workington camp.

Fortunately they rallied well and when Hawley sliced through to complete his hat-trick they had enough resolve in the time that was left to get through to the final whistle.

Hawley may have scored the match-winning hat-trick but it was fellow centre Dion Seath who won the man of the match award for some awesome defensive work.

Wigton lost 20-11 at Aldwinians but it was one try apiece and the penalties decided things in the home side’s favour.

Wigton’s points came from a try by Dan Reed and penalties from Andrew Logue.

Keswick went down 25-14 at Fleetwood but gave a very good account of themselves as they continue to enjoy life in the higher flight.

Keswick actually made a very good start and took the lead inside two minutes with a John Hine drop goal.

But they conceded a try after when a hacked ball bounced crazily and wrong-footed the Keswick cover and Fleetwood scored.

Hine responded with a penalty but Fleetwood hit back with an unconverted try.

On the hour Fleetwood added an unconverted try to their score and then Hine sent over another penalty.

But Fleetwood secured the win with a final try with just five minutes left.