Table Topping Result!

Wigton find themselves at the top of the league table following this close 17-15 win over a capable Whitehaven side, coupled with Cockermouth’s loss at St Benedicts. Normally I would refrain from commenting on the refereeing but the idiosyncratic rulings of yesterday’s match official had such a bearing on the game that it is hard to avoid reference to it. One could say that things evened themselves out during the course of the match, but it made for a frustrating viewing, and no doubt, playing, experience.

Wigton made the better start, having the early territorial dominance, an indeed, having the better of things territorially taking the match as a whole. A well worked move from a midfield scrum set up and early chance. No 8 Fraser Ledingham got off the base of the scrum smartly, passing to brother, scrum half Fergus. He linked up with full back Dan Foy, making a welcome return to first team action after a long break from the game. Foy made progress deep into the 22 but Wigton were unable to find the necessary continuity to finish off this, and other scoring chances later in the game. Whitehaven won a penalty for holding on in the tackle to enable them to make progress downfield.

The visitors were looking initially to use their big pack to maul their way forward from lineouts. Penalties seemed to go in bursts; half a dozen in quick succession to one side followed by a similar number to the other. Whitehaven had the chance to open the scoring with a penalty kick on goal, but on a day when, despite the calm conditions, neither side made the most of goal kicking opportunities, the attempt missed. Nevertheless, further penalties ensured Whitehaven retained the initiative. Twice in the Wigton 22 they took quick taps to try and catch Wigton napping. Sterling defensive work kept the line intact from close attacks but when the ball was spread wide to winger Glover, the defence was stretched. Wigton winger Matt Harrison seemed to have done well to get across and make a try saving tackle. However, the referee was perhaps the only person in the ground who didn’t think Glover dropped the ball and he awarded a somewhat contentious try, giving ‘Haven a 0-5 lead.

Whitehaven received the restart and showed great confidence keeping the ball moving as they once again reached the Wigton 22. However the defence came up with a penalty at the breakdown and Wigton were on the attack. Fergus Ledingham took a quick tap and Centre Ollie Lewis made good progress in midfield, only being stopped by a high tackle. This gave Wigton a foothold in the Whitehaven 22 with the throw into a lineout. One of the most positive features of Wigton’s play was some excellent lineout ballads a result of accurate throwing by hooker Elliot Armstrong and good work by flanker Richard Jackson and his lifters. As Wigton tried to power over the line more penalties were conceded and a yellow card shown to one of the defenders. Wigton tried to set up driving mauls but Whitehaven’s defence was equal to the task and seemed to have seen off the danger when they were awarded the put in to a scrum.

However, with prop Alex Johnston giving his opposite number an uncomfortable half, Wigton took the ball against the head. Attacking the short side with an overlap and a try beckoning, Wigton were frustrated by a deliberate knock on. Despite the position of the offence, no yellow card followed. Wigton took a scrum and more penalties ensued with an alert Josh Leeson at flyhalf taking a quick tap and getting over the line assisted by a few forwards behind him. Wigton had levelled the game at 5-5 and were on top for the remainder of the half.

From the restart Leeson put in a deep kick. Winger Harrison followed up and volleyed the ball into the 22 where the defender was forced into touch a few yards out. Wigton’s lineout tran smoothly with a catch and drive with Armstrong claiming a now customary try, Leeson struck a fine conversion to extend the lead to 12-5.

The Whitehaven discipline now started to look in danger of imploding. Scarcely had they got back to 15 men than a second card was shown for a high tackle, although the somewhat disputatious attitude of some of the Whitehaven players can’t have helped. In a good position, Wigton once again had an try scoring opportunity in the 22 arrested by a deliberate knock on, which again was ruled only a penalty. The Wigton forwards tapped and took the ball forward close to the line with second rower Mark Trow, having perhaps the best game of his short rugby career, powering over the line to claim the try which gave Wigton a 17-5 half time lead.

Most of the second half was played in the Whitehaven half, much of it in the 22, but on a day when the tackling of both sides took plaudits, Wigton were unable to add to their total. It was Whitehaven however who had the first attacking opportunity when an impressive run through the midfield set up a threatening field position. This time it was Wigton who committed a deliberate knock on with winger David Miller being penalised. There was no complaint about the offence, but given what had happened in the first half and the fact that there were plenty of defenders in the vicinity, there was something approaching incredulity when the referee decided that this one was a yellow card offence. Perhaps he reasoned that this was the game’s third deliberately knock on and he needed to set an example. Whitehaven did not need a second invitation to take advantage and good handling kept the ball moving and centre Ramsden went in for an unconverted try.

With the score at 17-10 Wigton now enjoyed a long period deep in the Whitehaven half but were unable to unlock the defence. On one occasion the defence looked stretched out wide but the referee decided to bring play back for an earlier offence, much to Wigton’s frustration as they felt clear advantage was coming.

Whitehaven withstood the onslaught and kicked the ball to half way. Miller fielded the ball well, picking it up cleanly close to the deck but the referee ruled he had knocked the ball on. The resulting scrum set up field position for Whitehaven’s next attack.

Once again there was a flow of penalties and scrum half Thompson took a quick tap and ran into the back of the retreating Trow. Wigton felt the penalty was milked, but it was well milked and there could be few complaints with Trow’s yellow card. Whitehaven lifted the pace of play to try and deny the defence a chance to get set. This tactic worked and Ramsdale again powered over for another try. Whitehaven, who seemed to rotate their kickers to try and find a winning formula, missed the conversion, keeping Wigton’s advantage at a narrow 17-15.

Whitehaven felt that momentum was with them and looked to given Wigton an uncomfortable last few minutes. However, there now followed what might be called timing issues. Firstly Trow returned to the field after a very brief ten minutes in the sin bin. There was then widespread disbelief when the referee, the sole judge of fact, blew for full time. Opinion was varied as to how long had been played. By my reckoning no more that 34 minutes, including a few stoppages had been played.

That notwithstanding, my interpretation is that on the balance of play, taking possession and territory into account, Wigton deserved their win. However, it was a close match and Whitehaven looked dangerous at times and they may feel unfortunate. However, despite the arguments, the scoreline will remain at 17-15. The upshot of all this is that it sets up a first versus second clash when newly-top-of-the-table Wigton travel to Cockermouth next week