In fact Wigton turned in a good team performance winning more comfortably than at home, recording a 35-11 win with a bonus point, realistically ending Aldwinians chance of gaining promotion via the play-offs. Their only previous home loss had been a narrow 8-11 defeat by second placed Eccles.

Wigton were without three starting forwards in the shape of David Waning, Mark Deans and Mark Lee. On the other hand they were pleased to welcome back Andrew Bell and James Brough after injuries. Peter Dobson continued to fill one of the propping positions so Bell slotted into the second row.

Wigton got off to an enterprising start when Ali Ledingham was just short of the line. Unfortunately Andrew Brown was penalised for going off his feet at the ruck.

The try was not delayed for long and in the fourth minute outside centre Gregg Smith went in for the first of a hat- trick for him as he took an inside pass from winger Callum Studholme at the end of a fluent handling movement. Ali Ledingham, operating at full back added the conversion. Indeed, he was to have one hundred percent success with his goal kicks, a couple of which were very tricky.

Wigton had to reshape their forwards after ten minutes when James Brough's return ended as he was withdrawn as a precautionary measure. He was replaced by 21 year old Richard Jackson in the hooking berth.

Shortly afterwards Aldwinians pinned the lead back to 3-7 when Wigton were penalised at a ruck. James Worrall kicked the goal.

Wigton hit back in the sixteenth minute with a catch and drive from a lineout, touched down by Andrew Brown. The conversion widened the gap to 3-14.

Wigton extended their lead twenty minutes later when skipper Matthew Atkinson picked a good line in a wide channel and, taking a pass from David Hanabury, charged over from forty yards out. It was the No 8's 26th try of the campaign and with the conversion, made the score 3-21.

Aldwinians were enjoying some success at the scrum, resulting in another penalty fro Worral in the 37th minute. Wigton hit back straight from the kick off. Centre Richard Moffatt, enjoying another fine game, made the initial line break and then giving Gregg Smith the ball for a twenty metre run in. The conversion put Wigton 3-28 in the lead with the bonus point for the fourth try secured.

In the second period the home team tried to reestablish themselves in the game, mainly by exerting pressure in the scrum. They had a chance in the fifty second minute. Wigton were down to seven in the pack after Dobson had been shown the yellow card for an offence at a maul. They turned on the pressure at a scrum about five yards out and No 8 Ben Marsland touched down for his thirteenth try of the season.

Aldwinians were more successful denying Wigton quick ball to attack but were unable to make much headway against Wigton's determined defence.

The only further score came right at the end when Hanabury made a break, drew the full back and put Smith away for his hat trick, converted by Ali Ledingham. The final score was

11-35 with Wigton satisfied with a difficult job well done. Scrum half Fergus Ledingham picked up the travelling supporters' Man of the Match award for a lot of sharp work during the afternoon.

Wigton next week welcome Blackburn to Lowmoor Road. Selection will be tricky for all the right reasons. Some of the Wanderers tried to advance their cause with a 41-0 win over Millom in their first Conference match. Man of the Match was Sean Johnstone who scored a hat trick. He is one of several promising young players operating in the Wanderers, alongside promise older ones such as Steven Carruthers and Tane Manihera, returning from several weeks' absence through injury.