Rovers centre Paul Newlove helped the side lift the Stones Bitter Divisional Trophy by collecting two slightly out-of the-ordinary tries in a tense final at Old Trafford in front of 36 000. Paul had scored 50 tries this season but for these two he had to use his strength against a no-nonsense Cumbrian defence to touch down in each half and his second score decided the match.

1993 PREMIERSHIP WINNING TEAM

On each occasion the Cumbrians were well aware that he was going to receive the ball and set their stall out accordingly. But he defied two or three defenders including his rugged opposite number Tony Kay to force the touchdown and earn the Tom Bergin Trophy as the man of the match. Rovers coach Steve Martin had said that it would be tough and it proved just that as his side struggled to put their game together at times against a highly experienced Workington outfit.

Rovers made far too many mistakes for comfort in the first half and the scheming of scrum half Brett Daunt and the hard graft of Brendan Tuuta was often wasted. Workington kicked far better with the magnificent efforts of Dean Marwood causing Rovers plenty of problems and it brought their first try. But Rovers kept their cool when things seemed to be going against them. Mark Wilson made some important tackles, and they steadily built the pressure in the second half which brought the crucial points.

The sides had exchanged penalty goals when Paul Newlove struck for the first time taking Brendan Tuuta's long pass and doing very well to get in at the corner. But Workington were ahead at the interval, 6-8, after Marwood's high kick bounced out of Martin Pearson's grasp for Phil McKenzie to score with Marwood adding the goal.

Rovers had lost Owen Simpson in the first half, victim of a ruthless high tackle by Kay who was lucky to stay on, but the winger returned after the break and almost squeezed in at the corner. Martin Pearson levelled the scores with a penalty goal early in the second half to collect his 400^th point of the season but Marwood booted Workington ahead again and it seemed they might hold out. Rovers fans felt their hopes had gone when Paul Newlove was hurt in going for the line. He needed a lengthy spell of treament but he stayed on and soon afterwards he did the trick.

With 15 minutes to go Brett Daunt's long pass found Paul Newlove and he still had plenty to do but he again showed his ability to hold men off as he ploughed over for the try despite being swamped by defenders. Three minutes later Paul Newlove was stopped a few inches short of his hat trick. However from the play-the-ball Neil Roebuck's well judged pass gave Francis Maloney the space he had been seeking all afternoon and he darted in for the try which Martin Pearson converted. Workington's discipline failed them badly in the second half, as they conceded silly penalties at play-the-balls having done the hard work in stopping Rovers.It proved costly when Martin Pearson was given another penalty chance to stretch Rovers lead to 10 points and landed a good 4^th goal. Rovers had a slight alarm late on when Ged Byrne created an opening for Martin Oglanby to score and Dean Marwood added the goal. However they held out for the well deserved win that their patience and persistence deserved.

Rovers: Pearson(4G), Butt, Manning, Newlove(2T), Simpson, Maloney(1T), Daunt, Casey, Wilson, Taeketa, Price, Smales, Tuuta, Gunn, Roebuck

Workington Town: Mulligan, Drummond, Kay, Hepi, Smith, Byrne, Marwood(4G), Pickering McKenzie(1T), Riley, Scott, Armstrong, Kitchin, Schubert, Oglanby(1T)