The backs were back at full strength, welcoming David Hanabury, Gregg Smith and Tom Gardner back from injury. The result was a very formidable back division who were dangerous from anywhere on the field.

Wigton took an early lead when the visitors missed touch. Fergus Ledingham released his full back Smith who stormed forward on a thirty yard run. Hanabury and No 8 Mark Lee continued the move with the ball going back to Smith for a try. Winger Johnny Charters, in the presence of dodgy hamstrings, took over the kicking duties, slotting the extras for an early 7-0 lead.

Altrincham were not overawed however and looked equally determined to attack whenever the opportunity presented itself. A penalty enabled them to push play into the Wigton 22, but a crooked throw at the line and a subsequent penalty blew the opportunity. Hanabury took a quick tap inside his 22 and his terrific break took play up to halfway. Altrincham came back, looking full of running. Winger Tony O'Connor came in field and weaved his way through several Wigton forwards. He found his full back James Coulson in support and only a splendid tackle by Smith prevented a try.

Another Hanabury break lifted the pressure for Wigton. Both sides were eager to run and handle with Wigton willing to attack from deep. Wigton had a chance to add more points when the pack took a second ball against the head. The defence were caught offside but Charters was unable to kick the penalty into the wind.

The next threat came when Gardner came off his wing, taking a short pass and rampaging into the 22. This time it was Altrincham's turn to save the try by bundling Hanabury into touch at the corner. Wigton enjoyed a period of play in the visitors', but got little change out of the well marshalled defence. However, when Altrincham tried to counter, they spilled the ball in midfield. A superb pass from Lee put centre Richard Moffatt through a gap. He made thirty yards before passing left to his centre partner Will Miller, who passed back to the right to Smith who was able to go under the posts to score his second try, which Charters converted.14-0. This score showed the potency of the Moffatt-Miller centre pairing, with both in very good form at the moment, ticking the boxes in attack and defence, Miller in particular catching the eye with some thunderous head-on tackles.

Altrincham found another good position in the home 22, but conceded a free kick which proved their undoing. Ledingham tapped and Wigton were in motion. This was a try which showed sharp handling and good continuity. Lee, Miller and Moffatt all carried the ball and Ewan Dowes got involved driving forward and committing tacklers in midfield. Moffatt made another big run, passing to the supporting Smith, who completed his hat-trick. Charters' third conversion made the score 21-0.

From the restart Wigton moved the ball to Hanabury who made his umpteenth spectacular break. Lots of support play and crisp passing created an opportunity for Charters to run. He got into the spirit of things by beating the last defender with some neat footwork and then going under the posts and converting his own try. From being an even game, the match had swiftly disappeared over the horizon for the visitors as Wigton finished the half with fifteen minutes of spectacular rugby. 28-0 at half time with the bonus point for four tries in the bag.

Despite the scoreline, much of the half had been quite even. In the second period Wigton, playing behind a freshening wind, were much more dominant in terms of territory. However, Altrincham manned the barricades pretty well for at least half an hour. They seemed more comfortable defending in their own 22 than against long range strikes and counter attacks.

Early in the half, Smith was agonisingly close to a fourth try. A Hanabury chip into space was gathered by Miller. Wigton retained possession for several periods of play. Some mesmerising footwork and a sublime pass from Hanabury created a gap for Smith, who knocked on as he reached out of the tackle for the line.

Shortly afterwards Dowes departed from the action with a knock. The home supporters had seen him grow into the game and show the potential to fit in well to Wigton's game of support and continuity. He was replaced by John Story, who responded by producing another consistent, industrious effort. He was instrumental in the next try. His strength and determination created momentum for a move which saw the ball moved left and kept alive in heavy traffic, producing a second try for Charters who converted from the touchline with aplomb for a 35-0 scoreline.

Altrincham could easily have folded. Prop Dave Hardy had gone off injured, joined by full back Coulson, who had been on of their more threatening players. They were awarded a penalty just inside their own half as Wigton were done for holding on in the tackle. Blindside flanker Ben Davies, who was at the heart of his team's effort all afternoon, took a tap and ran forward with grim determination, passing to supporting open side James O'Rourke. He conjured up a delightful reverse flick to scrum half Dave Coleman who went under the sticks and then converted the try. At 35-7, the visitors had salvaged some pride, but their defensive efforts took their toll and Wigton, having gone through the wearing down process, looked to put the game to bed with a strong last few minutes from their pack.

From a lineout on halfway, Wigton got a driving maul moving forward. Second row Matthew Atkinson broke away, making good ground. The move was carried on by Andy Brown, who passed to Lee. He surged away from the clutching defenders with great determination, scoring by the posts. Charters again converted for a 42-7 lead.

Altrincham's troubles were compounded when referee Mr Stokes from Liverpool, showed the yellow card to hooker Tom King for handling on the ground. Wigton followed up with try similar to their last one. From a lineout and drive, Atkinson again burst away and battered his way through the defence for Wigton's seventh try, again converted by Charters.

At 49-7, Davies tried his best to rally his team, again taking the contest to Wigton with great tenacity. He linked with centre Dean Harris, who charged for the line, but was held short. Wigton won a turnover and cleared their lines.

Altrincham tried to gather their energy for one last attack, but lost the ball just outside the Wigton 22. Quick hands moved the ball left to Miller and then Lee. He produced a spectacular reverse pass to Jordan Wood who had come off the bench onto the wing. He made a forty metre run and looked set to score when he was sent tumbling by an ankle tap, but he was still able to offload to the supporting Lee who scored his second try. Charters, for once, was unable to convert, but will be as satisfied with his 24 point haul as Wigton were with the 54-7 win.

There were Man of the Match candidates aplenty and an encouraging home debut for Ewan Dowes who carried ball well and led the defensive line effectively - he was withdrawn on 60 minutes with a thigh strain as a precaution but should be fit for next week's game at Birkenhead Park.

It's took a number of strong games to achieve a result like that against a team with 3 wins themselves and Saturdays star performers included Lee, Atkinson and skipper Andy Brown in the forwards with Moffatt , Charters and Smith behind. Gregg Smith got the sponsors vote and was presented with his Meat Parcel by David Wilde from WILDE AGRICULTURE; also in photo Paul Knight from WIGTON DENTAL PRACTICE - match ball sponsors on the day.

Next week sees another tough trip as we travel to the new league leaders, Birkenhead Park.