Wigton triumph in high scoring win at Furness

Wigton made the long journey down to Barrow to play Furness in glorious sunshine.

Playing uphill and against the breeze in the first half Wigton started promisingly, keeping the ball well and from an early line out Ollie Lewis dived over on 5 minutes for Wigtons first try and a 5-0 lead. A penalty in the Furness half allowed the home team to kick for touch but great defence enabled Wigton to clear their lines. Wigton were back in the ascendency and Furness were guilty of conceding a number of penalties. Once again, the line out worked well and the Wigton forwards drove over the line for Elliot Armstrong to score a second try and a 10-0 lead.

Furness however were still in the game and deservedly scored their first try in the corner on 36 minutes. Wigton were awarded a penalty on the 5m line, a tap and maul allowed Mark Deans to touch down for Wigtons 3rd try converted by Josh Leeson to extend the lead to 17-5. Furness were not be outdone and shortly afterwards touched down for their second unconverted try to finish the first half with the score at 17-12 to Wigton.

Wigton were soon showing their superiority with the forwards forcing a penalty in front of the posts. Quick passes along the backs gave Josh Leeson an opportunity to dive in at the corner for Wigtons 4th and bonus point try. A great conversion from the touch line increased the lead to 24-12. A tremendous run by Ollie Lewis through a weakening Furness defence saw him touch down for a 5th try converted by Leeson. The Wigton forwards continued to dominate and a powerful maul brought Wigtons 6th try from Elliot Armstrong, again converted and 38-12 advantage.

If Wigton thought Furness were finished, the game turned round and despite a brilliant try saving tackle from David Miller, Furness pressed and were rewarded with 2 unconverted tries in quick succession to reduce the deficit to 22-38. Josh Leeson took a heavy tackle and was helped off the field and with Sam Harrison also leaving the field resulting in a complete reshuffle in the back line. However, It didnt effect Wigton as Mark Deans scored his second and Wigtons 7th try converted by Dan Reed.

With only a few minutes remaining the Wigton pack turned the scrum on the half way line allowing Josh Nicholson to pick up at the base, weave his way past a couple of defenders before sprinting towards the touch line for an 8th try easily converted by Dan Reed for 52-22 lead. In the last minute some poor defending by Wigton gave Furness a 5th unconverted try as the match closed with a 52-27 victory for Wigton.