At least the sun was shining....

Wigton's home season came to a disappointing end as Oldham won an error-strewn match by 17 points to 13. There were time when neither side seemed to want to take the win, but a period of good play just after halftime gave Oldham the vital scores although Wigton still had opportunities to salvage the result.

Wigton got on the scoreboard in the first couple of minutes. Ryan Clark, at fly half, returned the kick off and drew a knock on from the defence just on the 22. From subsequent play Wigton were awarded a penalty which Clark kicked for a 3-0 lead.

Oldham looked ready to hit back when centre Will Mellor broke a tackle, but with a clear two man overlap, the scoring pass was dropped. Instead it was Wigton who extended their lead. An Oldham lineout was penalised for a crooked throw. This gave Wigton a scrum on the Oldham 22. The Oldham eight went for a concerted shove but No 8 Jay Henderson picked up cleanly and took advantage of the Oldham backrow staying bound to push and powered over the gain line. He passed out to his twin Aron on the right wing. He did well to hold off two defenders to score. This pushed Wigton out to 8-0.

For Oldham, their half backs Nick Hackman and Cameron Wood dictated play well and between them fashioned several openings. From a scrum in midfield, despite Wigton pressure, No 8 John Souter was able to pick up and make ground, passing to scrum half Hackman who made good ground into the 22. However, the ball was dropped by the player in support just as a try beckoned.

Hackman again threatened at the back of a lineout when he found another gap. He chipped over the defence but the ball rolled into touch short of the Wigton tryline. It was not long before another chance was spurned with a dropped pass on the right wing. Centre Mellor had the line in his sights when he broke another tackle, but good cover defence by Clark forced him into touch in the corner.

It was the Wigton's turn to exert some pressure with field position set up by another good run by Jay Henderson from a scrum. The line was under pressure and Wigton were awarded a very kickable penalty but Clark was unable to take advantage. From the restart Wigton put together a good period of play with the phases building with some fine ball retention. It was very frustrating to see this promising passage of play end with the concession of a penalty.

It seemed as though Oldham were bound to score when they launched a counter attack from a midfield penalty. At one point they seemed to have five attackers taking on two defenders. However a combination of poor decision making and determined scrambling defence kept the line intact. Flanker Gaz Blomeley made a strong run to set up another threatening position but this time Oldham were content to take three points when awarded a penalty, full back Alec Jobson kicking the goal.

Wigton ended the half on the attack and had a scrum in the Oldham 22, but a penalty for a scrum offence lifted the pressure and the halftime score was 8-3.

Oldham were out of the blocks first in the second half, producing the game's decisive period of play. The ample figure of hooker Billy Buckley shook off the attention of several defenders and made a break. He found a runner in support who simply had to draw the last defender and then hand on to Hackman who scored. Jonson converted for a 8-10 score, although he was unable to take advantage of a penalty kick at goal shortly afterwards.

The next try came from a scrum which Wigton put under pressure. However, good footwork by Hackman took him through the midfield defence and he passed on to Wood for a well executed try. The conversion made the score 8-17 and the momentum of the game was shifting ominously towards the visitors. They almost scored again following a mix up in Wigton deep defence, but a dropped pass blew the chance.

Wigton then proceeded to have the better of the final quarter. A determined run by centre Stephen Harris set up field position. Oldham proceeded to give away a whole series of penalties which saw them receive two yellow cards in quick succession.

Unfortunately, despite having a two man advantage, Wigton were let down by the quality of their passing and their ball retention in contact. A penalty was conceded from an attacking position two yards out. From a mis throw on an Oldham lineout, Flanker John Story and hooker James Brough combined to make good ground through the middle. This time it was Wigton's turn to blow scoring chances as they were bundled into touch. A lineout in a promising position was ruled not straight.

However, another strong run by Harris got Wigton going forward again. A penalty was conceded and Wigton went for a tap and a maul which drove over the line with Jay Henderson claiming the try. With the score 13-17 and time running out, Wigton had to score again soon.

There was a controversial moment when the restart was kicked ingoal and touched down by the defence. Under the laws Wigton thought a scrum on halfway should follow, but the referee ruled a 22 drop out. Oldham simply put boot to ball and pushed Wigton right back into their 22. Jay Henderson tried his best to initiate a breakout, making good ground from a deep lineout, but the ball could not be retained. This left Oldham the task of retaining the ball for a couple of phases before putting it off the field to end the game.

Oldham were deserving winners on the balance of play, although Wigton had their chances. It was a disappointing end to the home season and no doubt the coaching staff will be working hard during the summer to ensure the 2017-18 season starts on a more positive note. Hopefully next week's final game at Littleborough will enable us to finish on a winning note.