Cockermouth victorious at Lowmoor Road

Wigton slipped to a narrow defeat when a determined Cockermouth side came to Lowmoor Road and went away with a 12-13 victory. For much of the match Wigton struggled to find their rhythm and were frustrated by some strong tackling.

Wigton were sure they had registered an early try when Cockermouth unleashed an awful clearance kick which gifted possession back to the Greens. Fly half David Hanabury attacked down the right hand side and chipped the ball, regathering it off his knee to claim a try. Referee Martin Denver however, had other ideas, having detected a knock on.

Most of the opening period of play was in the Cockermouth half without Wigton presenting any obvious threat to the defensive line. Cockermouth’s No 8, James Sewell was yellow carded for preventing scrum half Dan Reed taking a tapped penalty. Reed had a pot at goal but was unable to bisect the uprights. Another penalty gave the home team an attacking lineout a few yards out. Cockermouth stopped the initial drive but Wigton’s pack gathered around second row Robert Marrs and drove over the line for the first try which Reed converted.

Wigton were unable to capitalise on further good field position and were soon made to pay. Wigton knocked on after a lineout and Cockermouth centre Connor Barnard broke into the Wigton half. Cockermouth were awarded a scrum about forty yards out and produced a deceptively easy try as accurate passing made the most of an overlap as winger Harry Bibby registered his team’s first points, narrowing the lead to 7-5.

The game now became much more even although both sides were somewhat profligate with possession, failing to make the most of promising positions. Cockermouth took the lead from a scrum in a similar position to the one that produced their first try. This time fly half Ed Gate sent a long punt into the Wigton 22, finding a gap between defenders and the ball bounced into the hands of full back Mark Watson who touched down, giving Cockermouth a 7-10 halftime lead.

Wigton started the second period promisingly, trying to exert pressure on the Cockermouth line. They were helped by centre Ross McGuire being shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle. From a Wigton lineout, centre Richard Moffatt made a half break to give Wigton momentum and they had possession a few yards out. However they were held up in the tackle and Cockermouth had a relieving scrum. Wigton sniffled the ball against the head and it was there turn to make use of an overlap, spinning the ball to right winger Josh Leeson for a try.

However, the 12-10 lead was short lived and from a penalty forty yards out, Ed Gate, with the wind advantage gave Cockermouth the narrowest of leads at 12-13.

The last part of the game saw Wigton desperate to come up with the winning score. Their efforts were frustrated by determined defence, dropped balls and a period of Cockermouth dominance in the scrum. Again Wigton were unable to manufacture an opening from good positions. Josh Leeson had a shot at goal from a long penalty into the wind. However, although he struck the ball well, it just fell short to the left. Cockermouth, who all afternoon had kept the ball in play as much as possible, often opting to tap penalties, gave their supporters palpitations as they looked to run out of defence. However, they did a good job of keeping the ball and running the clock down.

An accidental offside gave Wigton a last chance scrum to try and save the game, but Cockermouth shoved Wigton back and a subsequent penalty enabled them to finish the game and claim a deserved win.