Captain Matthew Atkinson stole the headlines with a four try haul to take him to thirty for the season so far. Mark Lee was unavailable due to family commitments and Peter Dobson was also unavailable, so the marauding Deans returned with David Waning slotting into the propping berth. Ryan Clark replaced Scott Smith on the bench.

Wigton were not inclined to be charitable to their visitors and real competition for places is assuring everyone is one their toes and in no mood for complacency. The scrum and lineout were strong all day and the defence was once again tight with Blackburn's only try coming from a dropped pass and a hack through.

Wigton's first try came in the fourth minute from a familiar driven maul. Atkinson, having failed to get in the correct position for a couple of these recently, came up with the ball to show that normal service was resumed. Ali Ledingham converted. 7-0.

In the fourteenth minute a big tackle by Richard Moffatt in the centre knocked the ball lose. Atkinson was on hand to show some footballing skills to dribble the ball over the try line. Gregg Smith showed hiss e to win the race for the touchdown, his sixteenth of the season. Ledingham's conversion attempt hit the post.

With Wigton dominating play, the next try came in the eighteenth minute when an inform Ali Ledingham made a scorching break as width was put on the ball. He found David Hanabury in support with the scoring pass and then converted for a 19-0 scoreline.

On the half hour mark Atkinson added another try from a maul which was likewise converted. 26-0.

In the second half Wigton returned to the attack putting plenty of pace into the game. A free kick was quickly taken and released to Atkinson who completed his hat trick by carrying three defenders over the line with him from close range. The conversion made it 33-0.

The sixth try was initiated by a great break by Deans. Excellent handling ensured continuity. On the edge of the Blackburn 22, Ali Ledingham produced an immaculately timed pass to give winger Will Miller a twenty metre run to the line for an unconverted try.

Wigton's seventh try in the 57th mi ute was up there with the season's best so far. Eventual Man of the Match Andy Brown won a turnover as Blackburn tried to drive a maul to the line, setting up a sweeping ninety metre counter attack. The ball was moved wide with Moffatt, Smith and Studholme combining to attack down the left flank, the ball was quickly recycled and moved right. Miller showed his strength, breaking two tackles and offloading to Deans. He gave the last pass to the supporting Atkinson. Ledingham took the score out to 45 with a touchline conversion.

It would have been easy for Blackburn to fold at this point but they were rallied by player coach Lowden to avoid a whitewash and played their best rugby of the game. Inspired by their Man of the Match, half back Sean Hall, they came battling back. Theo Colman threatened with two strong carries down the left flank and it took a great tackle from John Story to deny veteran Damo Miller as he tried to burst over from close range. Their consolation finally came when a dropped midfield pass was hacked on and alert open side flanker Norton Johnston won the race to touch down. This made the final score 45-5.

Meanwhile the Wanderers had a 16-8 win at Penrith. Several players tried to grab athe attention of the selectors including the wily Tane Manihera. The return of Lee and Dobson will add to the selectorial conundrum next week when seemingly relegation bound Didsbury Toc H make a rearranged visit.

Meanwhile the teams below continue to show reluctance to claim the play off place. Eccles lost by one point at Upper Eden whilst Aspatria put Aldwinians well and truly out of the equation. It is now a contest between Eccles and Aspatria, who have yet to play each other and us. It is quite possible that Aspatria may need a win over us in the last league match of the season to clinch second place.