Job well done!

Since November Wigton have had a bitter memory of a defeat at Keswick. It was not the defeat as such that grated, but the sense that on that day they had not done themselves justice. Therefore it was with a great sense of anticipation that the return fixture took place at Lowmoor Road. Wigton produced the necessary invention to put points on the board in the first half, coupled with disciplined defence in the second half to wrap up the win and maintain the league’s only unbeaten home record.

Wigton started with the benefit of the breeze and played with great energy. A typically powerful run by centre Richard Moffatt breeched the Keswick defence and took play deep into their 22. As Wigton tried to move the ball across their back line Keswick were caught offside giving full back Ryan Clark a simple shot a goal to open the scoring.

The conditions did favours to neither side as the steady drizzle put accurate passing at a premium. Both sides found it difficult to secure lineout ball so much of the game was rather scrappy. However Wigton were dominating territory as the visitors found it hard to gain access to the home 22.

Wigton’s opening try came from a scrum round halfway. No 8 Greg Wrathall picked up and hit winger Oliver Lewis who came onto the ball at pace on a great angle. Lewis took play up to the five metre line where the home forwards took over. After several drives the ball went along the backline and very sharp handling produced an overlap for Clark. He converted his own try to give Wigton a 10-0 lead.

From the restart Keswick managed to challenge for the ball and gain possession. However, they got little change out of Wigton’s defence and the ball was held up in a maul. Keswick gave verbal expression to their frustrations resulting in a penalty. Wigton were into action quickly, taking a quick tap and sweeping play carried the ball from one end to the other in a flash.

Keswick had the chance to clear their lines but the ball went loose and second row Robert Marrs dropped to secure it. Again showing good retention, Wigton moved the ball right where Lewis was held up. Back went the ball through the hands of the forwards being finally released to the backs. Keswick seemed to have everyone marked but David Hanabury is a master of creating something out of nothing. He managed to wriggle behind a defender and offloaded to stand off Dan Reed who had read the situation well and scooted round behind the posts to score. Clark converted, giving Wigton a 17-0 lead.

Wigton were good value for their half time lead having dominated territorially and posing plenty of question of the Keswick defence with strong, direct running and good retention. However, Keswick would have the advantage of the breeze in the second half.

Indeed, in the opening minutes of the second half they gave the Wigton defence a stern examination. An early penalty gave them a lineout on Wigton’s five metre line. However, they got little change out of Wigton’s defence as their first attack was bundled into touch. Keswick enjoyed good spells of possession but Wigton kept their defensive discipline. Keswick tried to use the boot of centre Andy Muir to pin Wigton in their own territory but he miscues his kick, pushing it over the dead ball line resulting in Wigton having a scrum on half way.

At this point Wigton were without their two biggest forwards as Marrs had left the field injured and prop Lindsay Walker was temporarily withdrawn from the action. Keswick tried to exert pressure on the scrum but replacement forward Colin Sessford evaded tackles to get Wigton on the front foot again. Lewis made another powerful run into Keswick’s 22 as Wigton threatened to score again. Keswick prevented a try but only at the expense of a penalty which Clark slotted over for a 20-0 lead. At this stage Moffatt, who had been a handful for the visitors’ defence left with a leg injury.

Keswick tried to mount a last hurrah but all their attacks were blunted by Wigton’s defence. One threatening position was lost when Lewis ripped the ball from the Keswick attacker. Wigton’s uncompromising approach was summed up by one colossal hit by No 8 Greg Wrathall on his opposite number Aaron Thompson. Keswick seemed to be reduced to crabbing from side to side across the field making little progress forward.

They did finally manage to get on the scoreboard albeit by rather unconventional means. A penalty gave them a lineout near the Wigton line and for the first time Keswick got a lineout maul moving forward. Wigton seemed to have broken up the maul but referee Denvir judged it to have been by illegal means and marched under the posts to award a seven point penalty try.

With the score at 20-7 Keswick had an outside chance of setting up a tricky finish but Wigton took the heat out of the situation by some controlled play by the pack. The returning Walker was prominent as Wigton dominated the last few minutes with a series of pick and go close quarter drives by the forwards. This frustrated Keswick and when the ball was finally turned over it was close to Keswick’s line. The game concluded with Wigton fielding a clearance kick and the pack kept the ball to run the clock down.

Wigton thus maintained their impressive home form and dealt a blow to Keswick’s promotion hopes. They are not out of it yet and still have games in hand but so do Aspatria who are five points better off. De la Salle, on the other hand have points in the bank. Keswick could yet come through on the rails as tow of their remaining fixtures are against De la Salle and Aspatria.

In the meanwhile Wigton will enjoy the warm feeling of a job well done this afternoon