Young Wigton team run promotion contenders close!

Bolton kept alive their promotion hopes by virtue of a solid second half defensive performance at Wigton to record a 3-10 win in a low scoring game.

For much of the first half Bolton looked more likely to score. Early on a dropped high ball by the Wigton defence almost let the visitors in for an early score. They went on to enjoy a period of pressure but inaccurate passing allowed Wigton to come away unscathed.

A series of penalties and lineout drives enabled Wigton to set up attacks in Bolton's 22. Following an impressive lineout drive winger Steven Harris was bundled into touch in the corner, but referee Martin Maughan went back for an earlier infringement by the visitors. Somewhat surprisingly after such good lineout work, Wigton took a scrum. A dropped ball meant that Bolton were able to clear.

The first score came from a midfield scrum to Bolton. A fairly routine passing move saw the ball shipped to the left flank. A missed tackle created an opportunity for winger Shacklock, who looked threatening all afternoon. He outpaced the cover defence to open the scoring for Bolton, giving them a 0-5 lead.

More penalties saw Bolton back on the attack in the home 22. However, excellent play by No 8 Alex Johnston saw him claim a loose ball and the danger was averted. However Bolton were soon on the front foot again. Centre Bate, influential in attack and defence, prised open a defence pulled out of shape by some strong runs down the middle. He ran into the 22 and produced an accurate long pass to right winger Robinson who crossed for the second try. Fly half Mills was again unable to convert but Bolton had a 0-10 lead.

Wigton quickly came back in response, with the lineout again being used as an attacking weapon, with Richard Jackson showing good hands on Wigton ball. When Bolton infringed, Wigton again opted for the scrum close in. Although Wigton would take the honours in the scrummaging exchanges with three strikes against the head, a pushover try was not looking too likely at this stage. The ball was picked up at the base of the scrum but Wigton were held up on the line, giving Bolton the put in at the next scrum. The clearance did not go far and the next Wigton attack was bundled into the corner. As Wigton tried to take advantage of penalties and lineouts, time ran out and they opted for centre Gregg Smith to kick three points to make the half time score 3-10.

Wigton went on to dominate the second half with very little action in the home half. However, Wigton lacked a cutting edge and the Bolton defence missed very little, even when they were at one point reduced to 13 men.

Wigton had an early opportunity when winger Owen Bonney spotted a well telegraphed pass, but was unable to hold onto the interception. Shortly afterwards there was a let off for Wigton. Mills picked up a poor grubber pass from the scrum and was able to kink back onto the blindside, eluding defenders. He seemed to put Shacklock away with a run for the line, but the pass was ruled forward.

In the next few minutes Bolton were reduced to thirteen men as two were sin binned for the simple constant accumulation of defensive penalties. Wigton enjoyed a lot of possession in the 22 but were unable to make use of the extra men. Bolton tackled with great commitment and protected their line determinedly. Whenever the ball was cleared, and scrum half Singleton produced a number of excellent kicks from tight angles, Wigton soon came back.

Wigton's best attacking weapon continued to be the catch and drive at close lineouts. One effort seemed certain to result in a score but a Wigton player was penalised for careless use of the boot at a ruck on the try line. Bolton broke out on a couple of occasions and Mills tried to give his team some breathing space with a couple of penalty goal attempts, but both missed.

With full time approaching Wigton had one last chance with a lineout five metres out, but, in an anticlimactic ending, the throw was ruled not straight.

In the final account, Bolton were worthy winners. They scored two tries and showed a determined defence to keep the home team at bay. There was probably more at stake for Bolton as, with Aspatria to visit next week, there chances of at least a promotion playoff are still very much alive. Amongst the spectators were a number of visitors from Aspatria running an eye over next week's opponents.

Comments from Malcolm Brown
We dominated possession and territory but just lacked he precision to break Bolton down in their red zone.
Just a couple of defensive lapses brought about Bolton's scores rather than any brilliant offence.
Our Young pack were tremendous (average age 23, only increased some what by Russell McLean & James Brough) who had the edge in the scrummage and Richard Jackson ensured regular line out ball and took four against head when he moved into the hooker slot for the final 20 minutes when Elliott Armstrong left the field with an ankle injury. David Wilde from sponsors Wilde Agriculture was particularly impressed with the pack and picked out the impressive Johnston lads for mention but M O M went to young second row Ryan Wannop who confirmed the improvement he has made this season with a robust display in the 'engine room' alongside James Brough.