Wigton too strong for Visitors

Wigton were too strong for visitors Aldwinians in this match at Lowmoor Road, but never really hit top form, creating plenty of openings and dominating territory and possession without always showing the necessary precision and clinical finishing.

The pattern was set pretty early on with a good break by David Hanabury gaining a lot of ground but with the move breaking down when the ball went to ground. In the first half Wigton achieved early scrum dominance and had the visitors under pressure on their own ball. Wigton's first try had its origins in a strong run by centre Richard Moffatt which made deep inroads towards the Aldwinians 22. From a penalty, the scrum option was taken and a blindside move was attempted. A lineout, a penalty and a scrum followed in quick succession and this time as the home pack drove forward No8 Jay Henderson was able to get over for the first try to give Wigton a 5-0 lead.

Wigton were penalised from the restart and Aldwinians fly half Adam Heath lined up the kick from forty yards out. As he bisected the uprights comfortably he sent out the message that Wigton would be punished if they gave away any penalties in their own half.

Another Hanabury break got Wigton going forward again and the move resulted in winger Stephen Harris being tackled into touch in the opposition 22. Aldwinians then gave notice that they had some potential in the back division as well, when a well executed move saw left winger Mitchell Dempsey able to run dangerously into the 22. Wigton's defence scrambled back effectively and the award of a scrum gave the chance to relieve the pressure. Wigton opted to run the ball and impressive work from Matt Rogers enabled play to get back into the visitors' 22. Aldwinians were able to steal the ball from a maul and clear their lines.

With Wigton making a mess of their scrum, they were soon under pressure again and Wigton's next try came from another penalty taken as a scrummage. The ball was driven close to the try line and when it was finally zipped wide to the backs, right winger Owen Bonney had the room to skip out of a despairing tackle to give Wigton a 10-3 lead.

However, next time Aldwinians attacked, the home side were caught offside and Heath slotted his second penalty to make the score at halftime 10-6. Wigton had dominated play but Aldwinians were probably happy to have weathered the storm and still be very much in the game.

They were even more in the game shortly after the resumption as Heath's third penalty made it a one point game at 10-9. Home supporters were starting to wonder if we would rue spurned opportunities. As it transpired, Wigton were very much on top for most of the rest of the half.

First Moffatt kept going in contact and powered his way through to make a clean break from nothing. He drew the full back and passed to Henderson who still had a lot to do. It looked as though at least one of the three covering defenders would reach him but he showed the strength to hold them at bay and round off a good score. 15-9.

Wigton started to put their move together better now and a lot of play was happening in the Aldwinians 22. Wigton tried a drive from a lineout which made impressive yardage before being held up. Aldwinians looked like they had relieved the pressure when a pass hit the deck and it was hacked downfield. However, full back Dan Foy regathered and reenergised the move, followed by more impressive work by Moffatt. Eventually Henderson linked with Harris and the winger ran round behind the posts to score. Having previously left Rogers to try the last conversion from out on the touch line, skipper Hanabury reckoned he could manage the one straight in front, adding the extras to make it 22-9.

Aldwinians now started to falter, dropping off an increasing number of tackles and making mistakes on their own possession. From a Wigton scrum following a knock on, Henderson made impressive yardage through several tackles before being hauled down on the five metre line. Quick ball was then moved left giving Moffatt a big overlap with still more men outside him resulting in a an easy run in for the centre. Hanabury again converted to gave a 29-9 score.

There was then a lengthy stoppage for a serious-looking injury to Wigton's hooker Richard Jackson. He is not often one of Wigton's headline acts but he has produced a string of consistent performances in the last couple of years, constantly stepping up to whatever role he is asked to fill. If he is to be out of action for any length of time, Wigton will miss him more than many people realise.

Wigton were soon going forward again with this time Rogers being the catalyst. His determined run took play again deep into the visitors' end of the field, with scrum half Fergus Ledingham rolling over the line for the try. Hanabury had now found the range and again converted to give Wigton a comfortable 36-9 lead.

The next action was a difference of opinion as a scrum broke up. The backs, enjoying some rugby, looked disappointed to have their fun stopped by the referee's whistle. When the forwards had picked up their handbags again and settled down, one player from each side was shown the yellow card, giving Wigton's Andy Brown the chance to get the showers warmed up.

Aldwinians had the last word on the pitch as they burst into life and made strong progress towards the Wigton line. Heath put in a beautiful shallow chip but it was knocked on as the line lay waiting. However, play was brought back for an earlier penalty. They kicked for the corner, but lost the ball forward in the line. However, Wigton were penalised at the subsequent scrum and Aldwinians took a quick tap, resulting in second row Michael Singleton scoring a consolation try which Heath converted, gaining a final score of 36-16.

Wigton were not yet at their best but this was a much more convincing performance than against Littleborough. Centres Moffatt and Rogers both had strong games, making several breaks. Dan Foy seems to be making good progress and showed confidence and awareness whilst Jay Henderson had a big game and is a player on top form. It was also nice to see the return off a familiar face in Mark Deans who always relishes a bit of physical confrontation.

Next up we have a couple of back to back away trips to new boys Trafford and the early pace setters Bolton.