The Best Yet!

They showed greater precision in their handling than in the last couple of matches and combined pace in the backs with physicality in the forwards to produce some impressive spells of play. Greater patience was shown, fewer passes were forced, fewer wrong options taken, all adding up to better continuity.

Eccles had come with a solid pack which was comfortable in the scrum and won a good amount of possession in the line outs, particularly through their middle jumper Donovan. They relied heavily on driving mauls and close pick and go tactics, putting together some good spells of possession. However, once they fell a few scores behind, these methods were never going to be enough. Furthermore they were unable to match the dynamic ball carrying of the Wigton pack.

From the start the Eccles pack looked to work their way up the pitch and seemed to have an early reward when they forced a penalty from the Wigton forwards. Unfortunately centre Robson was unable to convert the kick. Shortly afterwards Wigton had a penalty in midfield which was quickly tapped. Full back Ali Ledingham slipped through a gap in the defence and put in a grubber for his outside backs to chase, but the ball went into touch. Wigton then won the ball on the Eccles throw. The ball was zipped across the field to Will Miller on the right wing, but he was tackled short. Wigton were able to retain possession and drive for the line, with prop Andrew Bell getting the unconverted try.

Eccles looked to hit back straight from the kick off. Wigton fumbled the ball, conceding a scrum on their 22 metre line. Eccles tried to move the ball wide but some poor handling led to a dropped ball which was eagerly picked up by Ali Ledingham who ran from his own 22 to under the opposition posts. He converted his own try for a 12-0 lead.

Wigton now started to really stretch the defence. A try for David Percival was chalked off for a forward pass. Next a David Hanabury break from fly half set up a promising position which seemed to be lost when Wigton were penalised. However, referee Kieran Trainer reversed the decision following some comments from the visitors. Wigton tapped to set up a maul. After a couple of phases the ball was released to the backs and Ali Ledingham dummied his way past the stretched defensive line for his second try.

With a 17 point lead Wigton started to run at every opportunity. The support play and inter passing were looking impressive . Both Ledinghams and Miller were involved as the ball was taken deep into the Eccles half, but a loose ball was picked up and chipped ahead by the Eccles right winger. As he kicked he was tackled by lock Peter Dobson who was promptly yellow carded for failing to use his arms in the tackle.

Eccles tried to take advantage of their extra man. The forwards made good ground but as they tried to open play up they again turned the ball over in the Wigton 22. Wigton kept calm and moved the ball to Miller who started the breakout. The ball was moved left in a sweeping counterattack with Hanabury and centre Richard Moffatt both making ground. From a ruck just short of the line Fergus Ledingham got into the scrum half position and flashed through the merest hint of a gap to score. Brother Ali converted for a 24-0 lead and a bonus point for the fourth try.

Eccles were not helped when their prop Sean Griffin, one of an impressively built pair of front row forwards, went off injured. The next try was again initiated by Ali Ledingham coming into the line. He chipped through and regathered the ball, taking play into the Eccles 22. Scrambling defence kept him out, but from a penalty was conceded from which Wigton set up a driving maul producing a try for Atkinson.

Eccles went close to scoring just before half time. A penalty enabled them to kick for touch just short of the Wigton tryline. Prop Mark Greenhalgh almost dummied his way over the line but the defence held firm and the score remained 29-0 at halftime.

Eccles again started the half brightly, enjoying several phases of possession. However, whenever they lost the ball they were stretched by the Wigton counterattacks. This time Moffatt went close but the defence were again penalised. Hanabury took the quick tap and started a passing move to the left wing where scrum half Tane Manihera, loitering with intent, was able to squeeze in at the corner. 34-0.

Eccles were again left chasing shadows as the next try was set up by a quick throw in on half way. The visitors were disappointed that the referee had allowed the throw as they thought the line had formed. Nevertheless Hanabury ran off into distance and found the distinctly unshadowy form of Robert Marrs looming up in support. Marrs stepped out of a tackle and despite the presence of support, showed no temptation to pass but charged over from forty yards. The try was converted by Ali Ledingham.

Eccles once again responded well and looked set for a try when their left wing escaped the first defender. However, Mark Lee, now operating in the centre produced a try saving tackle. In the next Wigton attack Eccles were pinged for going offside at a ruck. Hanabury tapped and exchanged passes with Percival before scoring himself. Again Ledingham converted for a 48-0 lead.

Eccles showed great character by having their best period of the game in the last 20 minutes. A series of penalties was conceded by Wigton which Robson used to kick Eccles five yards from the home line. Donovan caught the ball which was driven towards the line for Sammy Simpson to score.

Wigton immediately hit back from the kick off which was athletically claimed by Atkinson. As the ball was moved around Mark Deans twice handled and offloaded before Moffatt scored in the right hand corner.

Wigton spend the last ten minutes defending as they failed to get on the same wavelength as the referee and ended up with a 20-7 penalty count against them. Wigton continued to defend their line with determination despite the bamboozled Marrs being yellow carded by Mr Trainer for the second time this season. Nevertheless when the final whistle went Wigton were greatly satisfied with the 53-5 scoreline against their nearest rivals.

Robert Marrs for his many strong carries was awarded the Man of the Match award by sponsors Select Supplies. After nine games Wigton have an impressive looking 14 point lead over the new second placed team, Aldwinians.

It is hard to think of anyone in a green shirt who did not perform well today. The backs obviously were the headline act but in the pack Marrs had his best game of the season, James Brough returning from injury was a real workhorse with his tackling and carrying, whilst John Story continued with his good recent form. The challenge for next week at Heaton Moor will be to maintain the high standards set today.