Mike Worrincy (in green and red) in action for London Skolars

Co-Operative Championship 1

London Skolars 12

Workington Town 44

Skolars lost their unbeaten home record in the league on Sunday after conceding four unanswered tries in the second half.

Brad Hopkins almost gave the hosts an early lead, but was pushed into touch – and second-placed Town then scored twice through Kris Coward and Graeme Mattinson.

Skolars got onto the scoreboard when full-back James Anthony joined the attacking line to pierce the defence, but they conceded two further tries as Jarrad Stack and Karl Olstrum touched down to give the visitors a 20-6 lead.

Joe Mbu’s home side cut the deficit before the interval as Mike Worrincy scored for the fourth consecutive game, while Dylan Skee converted to make it 20-12 at the interval.

They looked like they might get closer when Skee earned a scrum close to the Town line with a 40-20 kick, but couldn’t make possession count and Workington increased their lead through Olstrum’s second try.

Sam Bolger, on loan from London Broncos, was held up over the line and strong runs by Oliver Bloom and Anthony showed that Skolars could put Town under pressure, but they couldn’t make it count against the team with the best defensive record in the division.

Instead, Town cut loose as Mark Calderwood ran onto Peter Lupton’s kick to score, and former England international Calderwood scored again four minutes later, while a further try just before the hooter by Elliott Miller added to the agony.

Skolars’ sixth defeat from their nine league games leaves them eighth out of the 10 teams in the league, and 11 points off the top four play-off spots. They are next in action on June 24, when they travel to face South Wales.