Umaga's famous five sinks Town
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Rugby League
Halifax 74 Workington 14
The Western Samoan Mike Umaga became the first player to score five tries in a Super League match as Halifax's South Seas contingent turned up the heat on a wilting Workington.
Umaga spearheaded a display of extravagant running and handling in a match that frequently resembled a summer sevens event in some exotic location rather than the traditional slog at Thrum Hall. Playing his first full game for a month after an ankle injury, Umaga effectively decided the outcome in the first 20 minutes when scoring his first three tries. He opened his account with a 65-yard dash from a scrum, continued it by latching on to John Brewer's back flip, and then flew high to seize Asa Amone's bomb for his hat-trick.
In between, Simon Baldwin grabbed a try from a pass from John Schuster, another Samoan, whose contribution also included five goals. Graeme Hallas also scored before half-time as Halifax gave full rein to their attacking flair. All Workington could manage was a solitary reply from Lee Chilton.
Umaga scored his fourth, courtesy of Hallas's pass, within a minute of the restart. Fereti Tuilagi, the impressive newcomer Brewer, Craig Dean and Baldwin, with his second, all ran through the Cumbrian defence before Bentley grabbed his second and, at last, Umaga set the record in the 71st minute. Bentley finished with a hat-trick of his own.
The best that could be said of a Workington team that looks resigned to the inevitability of relegation after Paris' recent improvement is that they kept going and claimed two more tries.
But it was Umaga's afternoon. "I reckon Mike has been one of the buys of the decade," said the Halifax coach, Steve Simms. "He has been outstanding as a full-back, and when we were struggling at stand-off we moved him there and our improvement in form dates from that switch."
Halifax: Amone, Bentley, Schuster, Hallas, Tuilagi, Umaga, Dean, Harrison, Rowley, Ketteridge, Gillespie, Baldwin, Moana. Substitutes used: Martindale, Chester, Perrett, Brewer.
Workington: J Smith, Armswood, Chilton, Penrice, Johnson, A Smith, Kitchin, Riley, Bethwaite, Phillips, Filipo, Holgate, Nairn. Substitutes used: Wallace, Grimma, Moore, Watson.
Referee: J Connolly (Wigan).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments