Workington Town 18 Keighley Cougars 22

Determined Cougars picked up a hard-fought Northern Rail Cup win at Workington but only after frantically persuading the match commissioner to go ahead with the fixture.

Keighley's team bus had already set off for Cumbria yesterday when officials received a phone call saying the Derwent Park pitch had been deemed unplayable.

Head coach Barry Eaton explained: "It was just after 10.30am and the commissioner had inspected, saying it was frozen. Basically, we had to talk him into giving us some more time for it to thaw out.

"Workington wanted to play as well, so he spoke to Stuart Cummings at the RFL and decided to leave it until 12.30.

"We'd already set off and it would have been so frustrating if we'd have had to turn around. They called back later to say it was on again and we're glad because we got a great win."

Slick Cougars quickly built up an 18-0 advantage with winger George Rayner, full back Gavin Duffy and second-rower Greg Nicholson notching tries.

Richard Knight improved all three but Workington hit back on the hooter with Mark Routledge's converted effort.

Mark McCully added another just before the hour mark as Dave Rotherham's men scented a stirring comeback.

David Norcross responded for the visitors but Dexter Miller hit again for the hosts in the last minute to make for a nervy final few moments.

"It was a bit nail-biting at the end but we were deserved winners," said Eaton. "Workington threw a lot at us but we stood up really well, sorting a lot of the defensive frailties we'd had last week."

Cougars shipped 64 points against Halifax eight days ago, having lost out at Whitehaven a week before.

But they got their first competitive win of the season yesterday with second-row Will Cartledge taking Man-of-the-Match.

"Everyone played their part but Will had a massive game for us in attack and defence," Eaton added.

"He's always Mr Consistent' but this was his best match since joining us. Carrying the ball really well, making yard after yard and getting really quick play-the-balls.

"He also put in two or three big hits which dislodged the ball from Workington players and gave us back possession. He had a great game."