Disastrous first half proves too costly for Wigton

Wigton travelled down to Manchester to play in form Aldwinians hoping to reverse the unexpected home defeat by Trafford MV last weekend.

However a poor first half was to cost Wigton dearly and the team returned home with no points. An early line out and a 25m maul looked promising only for the attack to fizzle out on the home sides 22m line. Aldwinians seized the initiative and some weak tackling gifted allowed the Aldwinians winger to run along the touch line eventually touching down between the past and the hosts led 7-0 on 9 minutes. On 17 minutes Aldwinians doubled their score to 14-0 with missed tackles allowing the home player to run straight through the middle of the defence and to touch down beneath the posts for an easy conversion.

Wigton were now gaining some ball and a great break by Alex Johnston looked promising but the referee judged that he hadn't released the ball when it appeared that the defender had only tapped his ankles without properly making a tackle. The Wigton players disagreed with the decision only for the referee to advance the penalty a further 10m. Aldwinians increased their lead on 27 minutes with a well worked try in the corner after a series of quick passes along the backs. The last few minutes of the first half saw the Wigton forwards applying some pressure on the Aldwinians line but were unable to cross and following a knock on the referee ended the first half with the home side leading 19 nil.

Mark Lee obviously gave the players a rollicking at half time as they came out with all guns blazing and playing at a much quicker tempo and following a scrum, Stephen Harris made a superb run through the centre. The home defenders were unable to catch him and he touched down under the posts for Wigtons first try, converted by Ryan Clark to bring Wigton back into the game at 19-7. Within a minute Ryan Clark made a similar break to touch down under the posts, converted by himself and Wigton were now back in the game at 19-14.

Aldwinians came storming back and it looked like they had crossed the line but the referee declared that the ball was held up and Wigton were able to clear their lines. Throughout the the game Wigton were dominant in the line outs winning their own and Jay Henderson was superb in spoiling the Winnies throws time and time again. A penalty on 57 minutes gave Ryan Clark a chance to reduce the arrears even further, the kick sailed though the posts to reduce the score to 19-17 and Wigton were now sensing victory. A great run by Richard Moffatt brought an infringement and with the penalty on the touch line Wigton opted for the line out. The forwards gathered the ball and pushed towards the line but were held up at 5 metres and the chance was lost.

Aldwinians sought a bonus point try and a great break along the touch line seemed a try was inevitable but a tremendous saving tackle by Ryan Clark assisted by Richard Moffatt pushed the attacker into touch within one metre of the line. With only a couple of minutes to play another great line out allowed the Wigton towards to form the maul and push deep into the Aldwinians half, however the referee for some reason penalised Wigton and a last chance to seize a victory had gone. Aldwinians kicked a hopeful ball along the line which bounced in the wrong direction in front of the Wigton defenders allowing the chasing Winnies winger to collect and touch down for a 4th and bonus point try. The conversion was slotted between the posts giving the home side a 26-17 victory and denying Wigton a losing point for the second week in a row.

The Wigton players came back strongly in the second half and were particularly efficient in the set pieces especially the line outs but ultimately a poor first half denied Wigton a more positive result. A big thank you to Aldwininains for their superb hospitality before and after the match.