Match Reports

Wigton 14 - 19 Sandbach

1st match in North 1 West proved to be a harsh learning experince despite some encouraging signs.

There were too many individual errors and decisions to getaway with at this level so despite more line breaks and scoring opportunities Wigton just failed to take a win. It was an exciting finish as Wigton made some fine breaks from Tane Manihera, Dave Hanabury, Robert Marrs and Tom Gardner in the last 10 mins but they could not get the try which would have brought them the win.

It was a nervy start and Sandbach led 3 - 0 after Chris Pattinson was harshly adjudged to have tackled high. The influential fly half Carrgill who went on to score 14 points for the cheshire team popped over the penalty. Wigton had the slight breeze and gained good possession to keep Sandbach in their own half but Carrgill was given another chance for a 6 -0 lead.

Wigton settled and began to keep possession better, chances came with Marrs and then Steve Green just short until eventually driving and offloading from Manihera and Mark Deans gave Stuart Creighton the ball 5 metres out and he powered over converted by Gregg Smith for a 7 6 lead.

The Greens were on top and gained another 2 penalties but they were crucially missed so the half time score was 7 - 6. In the 2nd half Carrgill's left foot constantly kept Wigton in their own half where possession was often squandered through panic off loads and passes. They also had problems agreeing with the referee on the new interpretations!

Sandbach scored their only try on 50 mins after a good line out went out wide with player coach Simon Verbickas influential. They made ground before their prop found a rare gap in the defence to score for a 13 - 7 lead. Wigton responed superbly, with the scrum dominant they had several opportunities including Creighton going over but he was deemed not to have grounded the ball properly.

Eventually after some messy rucks the ball came loose and Creighton twisted over - converted by Smith for a 14 - 13 lead on 65 mins. Sandbach then played excellent percentage rugby to pen Wigton back and wait for the penalties. Carrgill converted 2 for a 19 - 14 lead before the late response so nearly brought victory.

"Although picking up a losing bonus point on the new system, it was disappointing not to win which would have been a great start. Nerves or the increased pace led to some unusual decisons by the players. They should have more confidence now. However our set piece was very good considering we were without our 2 main line out jumpers and we defended well with Tom Gardner timing his tackles superbly" coach Nigel Beaty said. "The players have learnt some lessons from this week and will keep improving."

The day got worse when it was discovered that Captain Robert Marrs has a broken wrist. Next up are West Park St Helens who lost heavily to league favourites Vale of Lune.

Pre-Season Reports

Wigton's preparations continue for a challenging season ahead with the Violetbank Annan tournament and the 1st and Wanderers entertaining Carlisle.

A Wigton squad returned pointless from the Violetbank tournament at Annan after 30 min matches against Dumfres, Upper Eden and Stewartry. However it was a valuable exercise as the Wanderers and Colts players playing their first senior rugby improved as the matches progressed.

Dumfries were first up, a Scottish Premier league team they were a semi professional squad. Wigton did well to keep to 3 tries, mainly scored due to defence organisation errors with players playing together for the first time.

An early score from Stewartry and Upper Eden won them the further 2 games despite Wigton dominating posession. However poor decision making wasted try scoring opportunities.

For Wigton last years colts Ryan Clark, Nathan Benson, Jay Henderson and Jordan Wood showed promise. Russell McLean did well at prop; Paul Holdsworth made some pacy breaks and it was good to see Colin Sessford back in action in the back row.

Against Carlisle at Lowmoor Road the Wanderers lost out 15 - 3, again the young players showed their potential. The whole squad of 25 played with lots of enthusiasm which bodes well for the season. Coach Greg Morton has plenty to work with despite the loss of Paul Vickers,who was adapting well to the fly half role with an injury.

The 1st XV showed they had lost none of their determination and spirit over the summer as they took a confidence boosting win 12-7. Carlisle play at the same level in the league structure but in North 1 East league as opposed to North 1 West league Wigton have been promoted to.

Both teams were missing 3/4 players they would hope to have availlable for the first league game on Sat 4th September. Wigton made things hard for themselves with poor discipline leading to possession given away and having to play 20 mins with 14 men. The greens started well in a fast paced game, eventually after 20 mins the pressure told and hooker Steve Green made it across the line in the corner superbly converted by Jonny Charters form the touchline.

In the 2nd half Carlisle centre Matthew Dodger squeezed through the defence for a try after continuous pressure on the Wigton line with hooker Tom Graham making ground continually.

Wigton came back into the game gaining more possession with John Story stealing line out ball however their 2nd yellow card let to more defensive work with Carlisle's Lewis Boyd a constant threat.

Just when it looked like a draw ,which would have been a fair result, Wigton produced a superb try as Tane Manihera broke from a scrum, he hit full back Greg Smith at pace with a well timed pass 40 metres out, Smith dummied and showed tremendous pace to reach the line to delight the home crowd and the Wanderers squad who had come to support.

The season kicks off on Saturday 4th Sseptember with the 1st XV at home to Sandbach in North 1 West and the Wanderers away to Moresby in the Cumbria League.

Wigton 45-3 Keswick

Wigton score 7 tries in a well contested pre season match at home to keswick.

Both squads were missing some of last years regular 1st team players, coaches Nigel Beaty and Johnny Hume were both impressed with mainly young players coming through the clubs youth systems who took their chance to shine.

The match was played in 4 x 20 min sessions well refereed by Neil Carruthers.

Wigtons back line looked dangerous throughout and they created the first score when they moved the ball well on half way wide to left wing Callum Studholme to score. Keswick enjoyed the majority of possession at this stage as they were sharper at breakdown and wigton made errors to give possession back. However as was the case all day they were unable to unlock the enthusiastic home defence.

A turnover by Wigton was moved well to hooker Stephen Carruthers who, using the backs outside as a decoy, showed good pace to score from 30 meters. Keswick got their only score when good pressure forced a mix up in Wigton's half backs and gave Paul Ireland a penalty chance which he coverted.

Wigton were ahead 12-3 after the first 20 minutes and Keswick defended well as Wigton dominated the 2nd quarter but they only had a try from Tom Gardner to show for their domination.

In the 3rd quarter Keswick were on top as Wigton's youngsters were given their chance, including last years Colts half backs Paul Vickers and Ali Ledingham. With much of the game spent on their own line, the greens defence was outstanding despite Keswick Capt Matty Roper being a constant threat.

Wigton scored early in the quarter when a flowing move from their own half was halted out wide but the attack continued down the blindside and excellent inter passing involving Fergus Ledingham and Richard Moffat gave 2nd row John Story a chance to show his pace as he ran in from 40 metres.

Wigton's larger squad allowed the more experienced players to return for the last quarter and they ran in 3 tries from prop Dave Wanning, wing Jordan Wood and centre Tom Gardner after some training ground back plays were well executed - particularly two impressive 'Stevens' back of hand passes! Conversions from Chris Pattinson (2) Jonny Charters (2) and Ali Ledingham (1) gave a final score of 45-3.

For Keswick the young front row players stuck to their task well. They rucked and competed well at the breakdown but despite plenty of possession apart from an interception they were unable to breach the wigton defence.

Wigton Squad

Dave Wanning, Stephen Carruthers, Lyndsay Walker, Mark Rear, Russell McLean,Liam Graves, John Story, Mark Deans, Jay Henderson, Richard Jackson, Colin Sessford

Andy Brown, Matthew Atkinson, Dan Reed, Paul Vickers, David Hanabury, Jordan Wood, Chris Pattinson, Tom Gardner, Richard Moffat, Ali Ledingham, Fergus Ledingham, Jonny Charters, Callum Studholme.