David Saffer reports from the South Leeds Stadium

Last updated 18:55, Monday, 28 July 2008

Hunslet Hawks 0 Workington Town 50: A play-off place is still in the melting pot for Workington Town after a ruthless demolition job at Hunslet Hawks.

Hat-trick hero: Town’s Stephen Dawes, pictured in action against Blackpool, went over three times in his side’s 50-0 win at Hunslet

In a 50-0 thumping, Town showed they are all set to battle away in a bid to oust Rochdale Hornets from the last end of season play off spot.

And the picture will become clearer on Wednesday when Rochdale host Doncaster in their match in hand.

On a red-hot day in Yorkshire, Stephen Dawes proved the hit man with a clinical hat-trick while James Mossop and Iain Marsh notched two tries each.

Workington coach Dave Rotherham was fulsome in his praise for players.

He said: “It was a good team effort but Byrce Poisel stood out. He was at the middle of everything and pushed us around the field.

“But Chris Young was my man of the match as he absorbed a lot of punishment when he ran the ball in and had some nice offloads and passes.”

“Given our last couple of games I was pleased with the response our blokes showed to nil a team on their own patch.

“Our last performances have been scratchy and we have just been hanging into a play off spot so we can build on this result.

“What we have suffered from is inconsistency so I want to double up next week against London Skolars because this is the time of year you have got to be playing well.”

From the opening play of the game Workington bossed this clash.

By the 15-minute mark, Town had a 10-0 lead courtesy of a Mossop try following an astute kick by James Lunt and Iain Marsh touch down. Carl Forber slotted over the latter score.

Keeping up the pressure, rampant Workington ended the match as a contest with two further tries inside an awesome three-minute spell.

Marsh turned try maker when he linked with Poisel to send Dawes over for a well-executed try on 21 minutes. Forber converted but was not on target after Mossop crossed the whitewash for his second try.

Playing with panache, power and purpose Town tormented Hawks with a third double-try strike just past the half hour mark.

Sub Scott Burgess entered the fray to charge through a non-existent rearguard, Forber converted, and Jamie Marshall collected a loose ball to race home from 80 metres.

With a 30-0 half time lead coach Rotherham had an easy task in demanding more of the same from his charges.

But it took Workington until the 54th minute to add more points as the hosts dug deep.

The inevitable was not far away though as first Forber kicked ahead for Lunt to score, Forber converted and following a head high shot by Hawks sub Joe Helme, Town moved the ball wide for Dawes to pick up a second try of the afternoon.

And Dawes notched his hat-trick with the try of the game set up by Forber and Poisel on 64 minutes. Forber converted.

Workington wrapped up proceedings and hit the 50-point barrier with try number 10 when Marsh popped over for his second try on 67 minutes.

Forber failed to convert but it could not detract from his display or that of his colleagues in an imperious performance.

London and Rochdale beware, Town are ready for a battle.

MATCH FACTS

Hawks: Nathan Larvin, Scott Aitken, Matt Bramald, Nat Brown, Amraz Hamid, Mark Moxon, Jonny Wainhouse, Wayne Freeman, Richard Chapman, Liam Watling, Danny Cook, Ben Walkin, Jack Ely

Subs (all used): 14 Stuart Young 15 Keegan Hirst 16 Anthony Thewlis 17 Joe Helme

Town: Jay Duffy, Stephen Dawes, Iain Marsh, James Mossop, Jamie Marshall, Carl Forber, Bryce Poisel, Matthew Tunstall, Shaun Lunt, Peter Dobson, James Robinson, Dexter Miller, Mark McCully

Subs (all used): Franco Kmet, Chris Young, Martyn Wilson, Scott Burgess

Tries: Mossop 92), Marsh (2), Dawes (3), Burgess, Marshall, Lunt; Goals: Forber 5/10

Referee: T Roby

Attendance: 314

Star Man: Chris Young