Solid performance by Wigton in the Burnley mud

This was a great performance from Wigton in difficult conditions with rain falling for most of the game making the pitch very slippy. Wigton came out of the blocks very quickly with a good pick up by Ollie Lewis followed by a purposeful run by Stephen Harris before the ball was played across the pitch for Colin Sessford to touch down in the corner for Wigtons first try inside 2 minutes converted by Dan Reed for a 7-0 lead.

On 11 minutes Wigton had doubled their lead with a great break by Ollie Lewis charging through a tackle before touching between the posts, Dan Reed converted for a 14-0 lead. Shortly afterwards Ollie Lewis took advantage of Wigton stealing the Burnley line out to score his second try converted by Reed for a 21-0 lead. A strong run through the centre by Greg Wrathall was halted before he offloaded to Colin Sessford, the ball was recycled before David Hanabury passed out wide to Richard Moffatt who touched down for Wigton's 4th try.

Once again Wigton were causing Burnley problems in the line outs and from another steal by Jamie Warwick, Richard Jackson was able to burst through the centre for another converted try. Straight from the Burnley kick off, Elliott Armstrong made a tremendous catch before releasing the ball to Robert Marrs who in turn released the ball to the backs for Colin Sessford to score his second try and Wigton's 6th easily converted by Dan Reed to increase the lead to 40-0.

Another good turn over by Greg Wrathall in the ruck enabled the ball to be taken on by Dave Hanabury, then Elliot Armstrong before Stephen Harris scored under the posts, converted by Dan Reed. Just before half time the Burnley line out gathered their own ball before the forwards set up a series of pick and goes before touching down in the corner for their first try which went unconverted as the half time whistle was blown with Wigton holding a comfortable lead of 47-5.

To their credit Burnley came out strong at the start of the second half and with some good forward play they kept Wigton penned in their own half for long periods of time. Their cause was helped when Ollie Lewis received a yellow card for not retreating 10 metres. However Wigton pinched another line out and Greg Wrathall broke free to score Wigtons 8th try converted by Reed. A 9th try quickly followed following some good forward play Elliott Armstrong was able to score in the corner.

Burnley came back and forced a series of penalties before a scrum in Wigtons 10 metre area gave their pack a platform pushing the Wigton scrum over the line for a second try converted to reduce the lead to 59-12. From the Wigton kick off the Burnley full back knocked on, Wigton's scrum were able to secure the ball and Josh Nicholson ran through the defence unchallenged to give Wigton a 10th try and a final result of 64-12.

This was a superb display on a difficult pitch with many players putting in top performances for Wigton's biggest away victory for a long time. Thank you to the Burnley officials for their excellent hospitality.