Wigtons unbeaten run ends at Cockermouth

Wigtons unbeaten run came to an end at Cockermouth with a disappointing 27-3 defeat despite having the better of the first half.

The early play was concentrated in the Cockermouth half with the Wigton forwards carrying the ball well forcing the hosts to concede a penalty. However the Wigton maul was deemed to have been held up over the line. After only 4 minutes Wigton lost Matt Corrigan to injury but continued to be dominant and on 16 minutes a penalty for holding on gave Josh Leeson an opportunity to give Wigton an early lead which he duly converted for a 3 nil advantage. Cockermouth were slowly getting a foothold in the game and kicked a penalty into the corner for a line out. Wigton defended well but as Cockermouth recycled the ball along the backs Wigton were a man short and the centre ran through to score the games first try for 5-3 lead. On 37 minutes Wigton won a penalty for offside but Lessons kicks just missed the upright. The final play in the first half saw what looked like a serious injury to Josh Leeson who had to be helped off the field.

The second half started with Wigtons only other replacement Dan Cozens coming on to replace the injured Leeson. The Cockermouth fly half launched a high ball over the Wigton defence sailing over the head of Cozens into the arms of the winger who ran behind the line to touch down for Cockermouths second try, easily converted to extend the lead to 12-3. Wigton were penalised for too many penalties as Dave Miller was shown a yellow card on 48 minutes. Good play by Billy Stafford brought an infringement and a yellow card to Cockermouth for not releasing but Wigton were unable to take advantage. On 59 minutes Cockermouth extended their lead to 15-3 with a drop goal. A further yellow card shown to Alex Johnston saw Cockermouth trying to push home the extra man advantage and a clean break through the centre of the Wigton defence gave them a third try. Cockermouth were now pressing for a bonus point try and were rewarded in the final minute with the winger seemingly racing through unchallenged to score in the corner, the difficult conversion sailed through the posts for a 27-3 victory.

Wigton performed well in the first half and throughout the game the forwards matched Cockermouth in both the scrum and line outs. Without a recognised kicker in the second half Wigton struggled as the Cockermouth backs seized their opportunities for a deserved victory and top spot in the table.