Best away performance of the season

Wigton travelled to Lancashire to face Bolton with no less than 9 forwards unavailable for selection. Fortunately, the Wanderers game had been cancelled enabling Wigton to take a competitive squad. Everyone of the 18 players stepped up to the mark and it was arguably the best away performance of the season.

Things didn't start too well with Bolton attacking from the start eventually creating a try in the corner, an excellent conversion gave the home side a 7-0 lead after only 2 minutes. Wigton quickly regrouped and were much the better team for the rest of the first half with some excellent ball retention, starving Bolton of any meaningful possession. A couple of good chances were lost when a try looked inevitable.

The Wigton scrum, line outs and maul were working well but the Bolton defence held strong. An offside decision gave Wigton a chance to get some points on the board but the penalty kick was missed. However, following a further infringement, Wigton opted for a line out, the forwards gathered the ball and drove over the line with Alex Johnston touching down for Wigtons first try on 25 minutes, the conversion was missed but Wigton had reduced the arrears to 7-5. Bolton were getting frustrated and guilty of committing several infringements in their own half and just before half time the referee eventually showed a yellow card to the Bolton scrum half.

Wigton started the second half with much more urgency and following some great passing play Richard Moffatt charged through a gap in the centre and touched down beneath the posts, Ryan Clark kicked the conversion and Wigton were ahead 12-7 on 43 minutes. Following a further penalty infringement in front of the posts, the referee sent a second Bolton player to the sin bin. Wigton were now dominant and after a series of pick and goes, the backs took over and Jay Henderson finished off a great move to score Wigtons 3rd try, Ryan Clark converted and Wigton held a relatively comfortable lead of 19-7 on 51 minutes.

Bolton however are a difficult team to beat especially on their own ground and they came back fighting with a second converted try in the corner to get themselves back into the game at 19-14 with 25 minutes still to play. Wigton retained control of the ball in the opposing half and continued to prevent Bolton from gaining any worthwhile possession. Wigton were awarded a penalty on the 22 metre line on 68 minutes but unfortunately the ball drifted wide. The missed kick may have cost Wigton the game as Bolton managed to win the ball and a clever kick through the Wigton defence looked liked a try was on the cards but David Hanabury spotted the danger and managed to chase back and touch down ahead of the Bolton attacker.

The last few minutes saw the Wigton forwards keeping the ball until the last play was called and Dan Reed booted the ball off the pitch to give Wigton a superb victory much to the delight of the players and travelling supporters. In the circumstances with so many players unavailable, the Wigton squad stepped up to the mark with Stuart Creighton leading the forwards and David Hanabury dictating the back plays and the players fully deserved their victory. The Bolton supporters gave Stuart Creighton the Wigton man of the match whilst the bottle of port on the bus went to Alex Johnston.

On behalf of Wigton RUFC, I must thank the Bolton officials whose hospitality to the Wigton supporters and players was as usual first class.