On a day when they really needed a big game, Hornets delivered in spades. This wasn't a pretty win, but it was admirable in that Hornets stuck to their gameplan, reduced the errors that have riddled performances of previous weeks and ground out the first away victory at Derwent Park this season.

Credit too goes to the Hornets fans who made the effort to get to Workington - their commitment and support were well rewarded. But after just two minutes they could have been forgiven for thinking that their trip could just have been wasted - Martin Wood kicking deep, Hornets fumbling the posession, Beaumont steaming onto a perfectly timed Mahihera pass to stroll in by the posts untouched. The conversion aided by a strong wind, Hornets were 6-0 down before having run the ball.

But it acted as a suitable catalyst as Hornets began to find a rhythm and push Town deep back into their own half. Led by Dave Stephenson, the Hornets pack put the home side on the back foot. At half back, Agar eschewed his usual random kickfest, choosing instead to play a more penetrative game with ball in hand. He was rewarded after 16 minutes as he stepped through a hole in the defence and had just enough momentum to carry him through the fullback's despairing tackle. Woody converted and we had a game on our hands.

With the Town defence standing firm as Hornets pounded the line, Manihera and Danny Wood traded penalties and as the half ticked away, Paul Davidson's drive and Richard Pachniuk's delayed pass saw Dave Larder crash through to give Hornets the lead. Woody converted - 14-8.

Hornets started the second half as they ended the first - camped on the Workington line trying to pound out a break. Due credit to the home defence as they held first Paul Davidson and then Matt Calland on their backs over the line.

On their first foray into Hornets territory Town accepted an easy penalty and cut their deficit to four points - but it was never really going to be enough. Hornets continued to play an unfussy, direct game - five drives and a deep kick hoisted on the wind - and Workington found themselves time and again picking up the pieces deep in their own half. It was a faultless tactic. Hornets forced Town into playing large tracts of the second half under their own posts and it was from posession gathered there that Danny Wood took the ball at acting half after a bustling Casey Mayberry break and blasted through defenders to score. He added the extras and, with 20 minutes remaining, Hornets shut up shop.

Workington's attacks became increasingly frustrated and flaccid - they even missed touch with a relatively easy penalty.

And as playmaker Carl Sice left the field replaced by the hobbling Hitro Okesene the Hornets contingent knew that the game was pretty much up. And so it proved - Hornets continued to hoof the ball back over the Town fullback's head and chase it down. Martin Wood disappeared somewhere into the centres and Hornets were quite happy to soak up the pressure all the way to the final hooter. Final score Town 10 - Hornets 20 and the small but vocal travelling support recognised the thoroughly professional job their team had done.

And it was tidy, workmanlike and professional. Martin Hall will be more pleased with this performance. It had direction and organisation - and it proved that error-free football wins games. Workington were unbeaten at home until we arrived and, even though it wasn't free-flowing exhibition stuff, it showed that there is still a place in the game for keenly focused graft.

And make no mistake, this result sends a message to the NFP that - even though Rochdale Hornets might not be fuly up to speed - when we're determined and cohesive, we'll take anybody in this division.

This was a big game - and a very big win. Let's use it as the springboard for the rest of the season. And those who made the trip, gave their support and sang their hearts out - can look back at the end of the season and say that they were there.