Wigton denied by late Della fight back

Wigton travelled to De La Salle in good form after resounding home victories against Upper Eden and Bolton.

The pitch was wet and muddy but Wigton got off to a good start with some early possession forcing a penalty after only 2 minutes. The kick sailed past the posts but Wigton were forcing errors from the home side and following a line out in the opposition 22, the Wigton forwards formed a maul and drove the Della defence backwards with Stuart Creighton touching down for Wigtons first try, Gregg Smith converted and Wigton led 7-0 after 17 minutes.

Della were now trying to get a foot hold in the game, however a dropped ball on Wigtons 22 was collected by the Wigton backs with Richard Moffatt running deep into the Della half before offloading the ball to Gregg Smith who touched down for Wigtons 2nd try which he duly converted to give Wigton a lead of 14-0 on 28 minutes. The last few minutes of the first half were dominated by Della but the Wigton defence held strong until the half time whistle blew.

Della started the second half very strongly, looking to get back into the game with an early try and they were rewarded after only 2 minutes of the restart with a try in the corner, a difficult conversion sailed between the posts and the arrears were reduced to 14-7. Della had seized their chance and were totally dominant and only a resolute defence kept them at bay with one Della attack being held up over the line.

The Wigton defence was under intense pressure with Robert Marrs having to leave the field with an injury. When Wigton did manage to secure the ball, possession was given away too quickly after a series of knock ons. The pressure was beginning to tell and Della forced a second try in the corner followed by another difficult conversion to level the match at 14-14. In the build up to the try Stuart Creighton became the second Wigton forward to leave the field with an injury.

On 68 minutes Della missed a long range penalty shortly followed a drop goal attempt. Robert Marrs returned to the fray and Wigton began to get a second wind and for the last 5 minutes it was Wigton who were trying to win the game with Della defending heroically. With 2 minutes to go the Wigton forwards set up 2 drop goal attempts but both efforts sailed just past the uprights. The Della 22m drop out was gathered by the Wigton forwards but somehow the ball was wrestled from the maul and passed to the winger who ran 60m along the touch line to touch down for the winning try, the conversion was missed but Della had snatched victory in a pulsating game with great discipline by both teams in difficult conditions.

The Wigton players and supporters were justifiably disappointed after losing the game after such a great start but credit to Della for a great second half fight back. A big thank you to Pat and the rest of the Della people for their hospitality.