Blast from the Past: South Wales 22-20 Workington (2010)
In 2009, after the Crusaders moved to the north of the country, South Wales RLFC was formed.
After a competition to further name the club, South Wales Scorpions were born, and soon after they began their first ever professional season in the 2010 Championship One.
The first game of that season was at their home stadium, the Gnoll, against Workington Town, and in front of 500 home fans the team coached by former Crusaders assistant Anthony Seibold made a dream start.
Three first-half tries from Aled James, Steve Parry and Lee Williams added to by a penalty from Lloyd White, now with Widnes in Super League, handed the Scorpions a surprise 16-nil advantage at half-time.
The travelling Cumbrian club were stunned as the hosts dominated the first 40 minutes and the second-half started in much the same vein, with Williams again doing the damage to cross for his second try.
The game appeared to have been won but Workington were to soon leave their first-half complacency behind and stage a remarkable comeback.
Aaron Low soon reduced the arrears, before Neil Frazer capped a fine passing move with another try which was brilliantly converted from the touchline by Scott Kaighan.
The Scorpions players started to look nervous when Jamie Marshall charged through their tired defence, and then amazingly Andrew Beattie showed a clean pair of heels to the men in black and pink to restore parity.
At 20-all with only minutes remaining Workington were suddenly the only team who looked likely to take the win, but after Kaighan missed a simple drop-goal opportunity the game swung back in the home side’s favour and White held his nerve to slot over a 20-yard penalty.
There was no way back for Town and the Scorpions celebrated a famous win at the final whistle.
Without even playing a friendly together, the young South Wales side had managed to beat an established Championship One side and they would go on to prove that it was no fluke.
The Scorpions finished their inaugural league season winning nine of their 20 games and qualifying for the play-offs.
Although they were beaten by Rochdale Hornets in the second elimination play-off, the 2010 campaign was considered an overwhelming success and it built a solid platform for the club’s future.
To win tickets to South Wales‘ next home Kingstone Press Championship One match, against Gateshead on Sunday 28th July, click here.
Kingstone Press Cider has teamed up with LoveRugbyLeague to celebrate all things great about the rugby league Championships. For the rest of the season, ‘Championing the Championships’ campaign will put a weekly spotlight on each Championship and Championship 1 club to focus on their most memorable moments, look back at the clubs heroes and reward the loyal fans. Read more.
