Workington 12 Sheffield Eagles 42: Flying start for Eagles

The full-time Eagles looked a class above their opponents throughout running in seven tries, as Mark Aston’s new look side made a winning start to the new campaign.

The Eagles took charge of the match midway through the first half with a glut of scores, and never looked back with debutant Matty Fozard helping himself to a brace.

Director of rugby Aston included eight of his 10 new signings in his 17, with winger Garry Lo and former Leeds ace Elliott Minchella missing out.

The Eagles were tested early on with Liam McAvoy stopped just short of the line, but after soaking up the early pressure it was Aston’s side who dominated the rest of the contest.

Winger Rob Worrincy scored in the corner after good build up play by Keal Carlile, with Michael Knowles adding the extras with the boot.

Carlile was heavily involved in the second try when he was held after a dart from dummy half, the loose ball was snaffled by Cory Aston who went over, and Knowles kicked the extras.

The Eagles had found their stride but when Menzie Yere found Worrincy he knocked on when set to score.

It didn’t matter as moments later Worrincy looked in again but was held by Sam Forrester, only for Adam Neal to crash over on the next play for a debut try. Knowles converted.

The flow of tries continued when Quentin Laulu-Togagae created the space for Yere to complete a simple try, and Knowles kicked the extras.

Jamie Doran had the final say of the half for Workington just before the break with his try converted by Carl Forber.

Normal service resumed after the break when after Knowles was held, Fozard went over on the next play, and Knowles was again successful with the kick.

It got better for Fozard when the former St. Helens hooker crashed over for his second try after a smart pick up. Knowles kicked the extras.

Jack Murphy immediately reduced the arrears with a score 10 minutes from time, but the Eagles hit-back when a weaving run by George Tyson ended with a second score for Aston, which was converted by Knowles.

Workington: Murphy, Forrester, Hulme, Mossop, Carter; Forber, Doran; Coward, Phillips, Scholey; Whiteley, Olstrom; McAvoy. Interchange: Mattinson, Verlinden, Gordon, Rooney.

Scorers: Tries: Doran (38), Murphy (69) Goals: Forber 2/2

Eagles: Laulu-Togagae, Worrincy, Yere, Tyson, Blackmore; Aston, Hewitt; Wheeldon, Carlile, Neal; Knowles, Straugheir; Stringer. Interchange: Fozard, Thorpe, James, Mexico.

Scorers: Tries: Worrincy (15), Aston (19, 75), Neal (24), Yere (27), Fozard (50, 65) Goals: Knowles 7/7

Referee: Sam Ansell

Attendance: 813