Green Machine Ploughs on!

Wigton went into this match at Lowmoor Road with a number of usual first xv members missing. However, it it very pleasing to report that yesterday’s team rose to the challenge and delivered an enterprising performance, growing in confidence as the game progressed. When the need arose there was also a lot of very determined defence in our own 22. Several players who may have been considered fringe players at two o’ clock were looking confident first teamers by three thirty. Those with first team experience also stepped up to the mark and the game plan was executed very well indeed.

As the teams trotted out Wigton supporters were wondering who was going to provide the tactical kicking on the day. They needn’t have worried; Wigton simply didn’t kick the ball. All afternoon I spotted one kick in open play, and that was from our own 22. Wigton trusted to their handling and crisp, accurate passing meant that the trust was not misplaced.

At outside centre, David Miller ran and tackled with the enthusiasm of someone twice his size and Matt Harrison on the wing started to show the danger that his size and strength can pose to defences. Charlie Studholme at scrum half ran himself into the ground to be a permanent presence at the base of the breakdowns and Fraser Ledingham was revelatory at fly half with a good balance of running and passing, his accurate distribution keeping his backline on the front foot.

The pack delivered with the edge in set plays and Mark Trow and Josh Nicholson carried the ball powerfully, with good support from Ryan Wannop, ensuring Wigton won the collisions and got over the gain line. The Armstrong-Jackson axis once again showed up to good effect in the lineouts and flanker Joe Wannop had perhaps his most effective game so far. Alex Johnston and Nathan Whitehead used their mobility to good effect enabling Wigton always had players on hand to clear out the rucks and make the necessary tackles in defence.

Wigton’s first chance to put points on the board came from a penalty for a high tackle. The multi-skilled hooker Elliot Armstrong stepped up to try for the posts, but unsuccessfully on this occasion. Wigton did not have long to wait. A big bust by centre Steven Harris, who was comfortably the most dangerous player on the field in the first half, took Wigton fully forty yards from midfield and winger James Fitt was on hand in support to take the pass and score the first try.

Wigton were soon in a similar position thanks to another Harris run but they were frustrated by being penalised for holding on five yards out. They were soon on the attack again from a midfield scrum. Good handling created yet another opportunity for Harris who was causing panic in the Workington defence whenever he had the ball. Unfortunately the ball was lost as he went for the line but he soon made up for that error. Receiving the ball on halfway he rampaged through the defence to score a try which Armstrong converted to give Wigton a 12-0 lead.

Wigton had the benefit of the wind at their backs in the first half, but their dominance was not due to the elements but to the excellence of their running and handling. A nice run from Miller opened the defence up again and Workington conceded another of many penalties in their 22. Wigton kicked for a close lineout and an efficient maul from a clean catch saw Armstrong claim the try which gave Wigton a 17-0 lead.

It was not long before more enterprising play took the ball back into Workington’s 22 and they were penalised once again. Wigton opted for a scrum. With the defence having half an eye on the threatening Harris, No 8 Nicholson read the play well and picked up and powered over the line almost unopposed, and as half time arrived, Armstrong’s conversion gave Wigton a lead of 24-0.

Having the wind at their backs in the second half at least gave Workington the ability to use the wind for more favourable field position and they had lengthy periods of possession in Wigton’s 22. However, just as they had shown attacking prowess in the first half, Wigton’s play in the second demonstrated the determination of their defence. There was a strong sense of the team playing for one another and they showed a great sense of pride in keeping the try line intact.

Workington got on the scoreboard when centre Rooke kicked a penalty to make the gap 24-3. Despite plenty of possession in dangerous positions there were to be no more points for the Zebras. Wigton’s line speed harried their opponents into errors and Wigton also showed the confidence to counter attack from deep. On one occasion the ball was passed along the back division virtually on their own try line but cool heads got the ball into the hands of Harrison who powered into midfield.

Wigton had their share of the ball too but were unable to make the most of some promising positions. The fifth try was a gem however. Crisp passing moved the ball wide and Mark Trow was found lurking on the wing some thirty five yards out. He galloped through the spaces, overwhelming two would-be tacklers to go round under the posts. Armstrong, lulled into a false sense of security by the apparent ease of the conversion, managed to hit one of the uprights. Fortunately it was not a day when goal kicking was a decisive factor and Wigton comfortably played out the half, finishing 29-3 winners. Hopefully this performance will have put the first team squad in good heart for the tricky trip to Hawcoat Park next week.