Wigton progress in the Cup

Wigton laboured to a 12-16 win over an abrasive Cockermouth side at Strawberry How. Cockermouth clearly relished the opportunity to cause an upset and put everything into the game which was, truth to tell, a scrappy affair with both sides knocking on a lot of ball and struggling to build any fluency in a penalty strewn game. Ground was more usually made as a result of penalties rather than scintillating play.

Wigton were first with points on the board when Ryan Clark kicked a goal after the home side were penalised for a high tackle.

However, a midfield penalty enabled Cockermouth to set up camp in the Wigton 22. The green defensive line, when set, looked formidable with the likes of Deans bundling ball carriers back behind the gain line. However, Cockermouth sensed that they had an edge in the early scrum exchanges and opted to take several scrums from penalty awards. Eventually referee Tyler Cassells decided he had had enough of scrum offences and awarded Cockermouth a seven point penalty try.

Wigton similarly used a penalty to kick their way into Cockermouth territory and their attack drew another penalty which Clark slotted over to narrow the gap to 7-6.

Wigton took advantage of a similar situation shortly afterwards to extend their lead. A lineout drive was held and the ball passed to the backs. Ollie Lewis took an awkward high pass and showed the strength to shake off his opposite number, bursting through the defence to go under the stick. Clark’s conversion gave Wigton a 7-13 lead.

Cockermouth next had more pressure in Wigton’s 22, looking like scoring twice, but scorning the opportunity. First a pass inside to support went into the hands of the last Wigton defender and soon afterwards an overlap was ignored. They continued to take scrums as penalty options, although they were now overplaying this tactic as the scrums had settled down and as the game wore on Wigton were looking to exert pressure on the home feed.

Greg Wrathall and Richard Moffatt carried strongly to get Wigton back to midfield. Lewis, looking dangerous with his strong running, went on a wide racing run and was halted by a high tackle. The offender was yellow carded but Wigton made a mess of a tap penalty move and the score remained unchanged until half time.

Wigton started the second half by knocking on the kick off, initiating a long period of play in their 22. Cockermouth ran with great vigour but the Wigton defence dealt with most things coming its way. Several times Wigton had the chance to relieve the pressure but each time they either knocked on or were penalised. They suffered a further blow when Lewis had to leave the pitch with a suspected head injury.

Eventually some quickly tapped penalties caught the home team out and Clark was in a position to give Wigton some breathing space as his fourth kick made the score 7-16.

Any hope from the Wigton supporters that Cockermouth would now concede the battle was dashed as it was they who were determined to have the final word. Some quick handling enabled winger Josh Wilde to squeeze over in the corner for an unconverted try.

With the score 12-16 and time running out, when Wigton next got possession they were able to control the ball until the clock ran down.