Visitors nudge tight contest

Wigton’s home league season got off to the most disappointing of starts as they went down 15-25 to arch rivals Aspatria. The Black Reds win was based on a dominant first thirty minutes in which they trumped the home team in all departments. After that the game was much more even but from the Wigton point of view the damage had been done.

Wigton had first use of the breeze but made little use of it, and to be fair, the elements never really became a key feature of this game. Aspatria started off at a high tempo taking quick taps from penalties and trying to keep Wigton on the back foot. Whenever the Greens had the ball they seemed unable to retain it for any length of time. Aspatria enjoyed early territory and possession although the Wigton defence just about held on. Wigton suffered a blow after about ten minutes when influential centre Richard Moffatt had to leave the field with a back injury. He was replaced by Gregg Smith making his first start after missing the whole of last season with a cruciate injury.

Aspatria’s first score came when Wigton desperately tried to clear their lines, sending the ball down the middle of the park. It was fielded by full back Bowes who ran through the chasing defensive line before passing to winger Patrick Noutch, giving the nippy winger a simple run in. Jack Clegg, another player returning after missing last season, converted to give Aspatria a 0-7 lead.

Aspatria continued to dominate play and had a scrum in a very threatening position. A set move broke down and Smith seized on the loose ball sending a long kick into the opposition 22 for Wigton to have the ball from the resulting lineout. Unfortunately Wigton lost the ball from a wayward throw and Aspatria broke out into the Wigton half with alarming ease. Wigton conceded a penalty about thirty metres out and Clegg gleefully pushed the lead out to 0-10.

Wigton’s fly half Dan Reed came up with a useful kick to give Wigton a foothold in the Aspatria 22. Shortly afterwards centre John Wright made a half break and linked up with Smith. He tried to find winger Ollie Lewis but the pass went into touch. Nevertheless, at least Wigton had a chance to put Aspatria under some pressure.

However Clegg produced a teasing box kick which fell in front the the defenders to be reclaimed by Aspatria. He then showed good vision to put in a hanging diagonal kick which was caught by Bowes running at full tilt to land his team’s second try. Clegg was unable to convert from wide out but the 0-15 scoreline was looking ominous.

Wigton now started to play with more rhythm, helped by Aspatria becoming careless with their discipline and steadily drawing the displeasure of referee Martin Plummer for much of the remainder of the match.

A penalty gave Wigton a close lineout and from the resulting play Clegg was yellow carded for a tip tackle. Wigton seemed to have missed their chance when they were bundled into touch. It was then Aspatria’s turn to mess up as the throw was anything but straight giving Wigton a scrum. They produced a classic short side try with No 8 Greg Wrathall picking up, feed ing scrum half Fergus Ledingham who passed to winger Steven Harris for the try. Reed struck the wide conversion well but was just wide. As half time came Wigton we’re back in the game at 5-15.

After some words from coach Andy Brown Wigton came out for the second half in better shape. They showed much better continuity and retention. Playing into the wind, they were reluctant to put boot to ball and tried to tire out Aspatria’s heavier pack by playing at speed.

It was Aspatria who scored first from a penalty induced lineout. Quick ball off the top gave Atkinson a chance to run into Wigton’s 22. Close forward work got up to the line and Noutch came off his wing to hit a gap in the line and crash over. Clegg, back on the pitch, added the extras for a comfortable 5-22 lead.

Wigton’s efforts started to show some reward as Aspatria seemed to tire and certainly became very lax in their discipline. Forwards Robert Marrs and Lindsay Walker showed deft handling to give Wright and Smith some space to exploit. Wigton drew a penalty but much more worrying in the long term was the departure of Smith for what seemed to be an injury on the same knee that kept him out of action for so long.

Wigton attacked from a line and forwards coming round the corner made good progress and hooker Elliot Armstrong ran onto the final pass to score a try. Reed’s conversion narrowed the gap to 12-22.

Aspatria seemed distinctly rattled as Wigton came charging back at them from the restart. Given the flow of penalties which had preceded his misdemeanour, it was no surprise to see Aspatria’s second row Mark Beverley shown a yellow card for offside at a ruck. When Wigton won another penalty in kicking range Reed took the chance to claim the three points. At 15-22 Wigton were within striking range.

Aspatria managed to get their act together for the last few minutes. Wigton’s high risk tactics finally were undone when a runner was isolated at the breakdown giving Aspatria a penalty. Indeed, the breakdown was probably the deciding factor in the game as a whole with Aspatria coming out ahead in the turnover stakes. Clegg made no mistake with the place kick, once again extending his team’s lead to 15-25. With no more incidents of note that was the score at the final whistle.

Wigton will be disappointed with their first half performance but will be quick to point out that this was just the first of a potential four meetings this season so there is much still to play for.