The game was always finely balanced, with Wigton looking the better side for the first two thirds of the game, but then having to man the defences as Widnes came on strongly down the final stretch.

Previous to the game Widnes were averaging 28 points (4 tries ) per game so their strong finale was no surprise, however some strong defence from the greens restricted them to their lowest return of the season. In truth the 'line out ' try was the only occasion they actually threatened the Wigton line .

Wigton started off brightly with second row Robert Marrs fielding the kick off and carrying the ball up strongly. Other forwards made progress as the defenders had to give ground, with No 8 Mark Lee prodding the ball into touch on the Widnes 22 metre line. In the early exchanges Wigton were making good ground with quick front foot ball. Widnes were giving up penalties at the breakdown although a lack of cohesion following the festive break meant that Wigton, whilst in the ascendency, were unable to produce an accurate last pass to open the scoring. There were encouraging signs at the scrum, with Widnes scrum half Lamb being forced to hurry.

However, when they had the ball, Widnes gave notice that they were a capable side. Fly half Leadbetter produced one searching kick which took play to five metres from the Wigton line. However, it was entirely with the balance of play that Wigton opened the scoring. Euan Dowes, playing at inside centre was carrying the ball strongly and getting the greens over the gain line. After one such run, further progress was made by Marrs and Lee before the dancing feet of fly half Hanabury prised open the defence before he passed to Tom Gardner, giving the big winger the simplest of tasks to step over the line and score. The try was unconverted.

Shortly afterwards Wigton counter attacked from a deep clearance kick, taking play menacingly up the field, but some over ambitious offloading led to a knock on.

Widnes had been trying to make progress on a narrow front with lots of inter passing among the pack. However, they looked more menacing when they looked to move the ball wider. Aw Lee worked switch play between centre Welsh and full back Smith opened up the defence but Gregg Smith stopped the danger with a good tackle on his opposite number.

The roles were reversed a few minutes later in Wigton's next attack. A very slick pass by second row Matthew Atkinson created space for flanker Mark Deans to release Smith. This time he was tackled as he tried to beat his man. The ball was retained, but a loose carry saw the ball lost frustratingly a metre from the line.

However, Widnes were never quite able to clear the danger and soon Wigton had a lineout twenty metres from the tryline. A good catch and drive was well controlled and sustained, resulting in Atkinson crashing over for a try which Hanabury converted for a 12-0 lead.

Wigton continued to press with Hanabury mixing up his game with little grubbers getting Wigton behind the Widnes defence. There were times however when the run back down the middle was overdone rather than chances being taken to move the ball wider to the likes of Miller, Gardner and Moffatt, who saw rather less of the ball than they would have liked.

Wigton were in a good position with a scrum five metres out but were penalised with a free kick. Widnes showed their ability with a quick counter attack as the forwards made ground and then let the outside backs run. A fluent move ended as Wigton's Smith ran a dangerous chip into touch on the home 22. Scrum half Lamb, a very large 9, was looking dangerous for the visitors, running at defenders with the ball in two hands and keeping them guessing. However, Widnes were unable to capitalise on their good field position, partly because their lineout had not been fully functioning in the first half.

When the half time whistle blew, the home supporters, whilst feeling their team could have further ahead, were probably looking forward to more of the same in the second half. However, Widnes clearly had other ideas.

Wigton had the first chances of the half. A little dummy from scrum half Fergus Ledingham got him through the otherwise strong fringe defence. Atkinson carried strongly in the 22 and replacement forward Peter Dobson was held up on the line. Wigton were frustrated to be penalised at the resulting scrum for feeding. However, they still had the territorial advantage. Referee Riley of Manchester awarded Wigton a penalty in the centre of the 22 metre line and a chance to extend the lead, but the ball was quickly tapped. Progress was made up to the line, but a knock on gave the ball back to Widnes.

It was now Wigton's turn to be given a free kick from a five metre scrum but the opportunity was blown when the ball was passed into the hands of left winger Spencer. A wrong footed Lee was penalised for a high tackle as he grabbed at Spencer and Widnes were able to clear the danger.it was noticeable that when Widnes had the ball they were using the opportunity to send it wide and give wingers Spencer and O'Connor the chance to run. They and full back Smith, all with low centres of gravity and good leg strength were proving slippery characters who were difficult to put down, allowing Widnes to start getting over the gain line.

However it was Wigton who scored next from another penalty in front of the posts. Cool heads prevailed and Hanabury's kick took the score out to 15-0, meaning Widnes would have to score three times in the last twenty minutes. Soon that started to look much less unlikely. A second high tackle saw Lee receive a yellow card and Wigton were a man down. Widnes kicked for touch in the Wigton 22 and with their lineout functioning better, it was their turn to score through a catch and drive with prop Haydock claiming the try. The conversion was ordered to be retaken as the referee adjudged Wigton guilty of an early charge. However, neither effort improved the scoreline of 15-5.

Home supporters were left wondering whether Wigton would rue earlier missed chances as Widnes waxed strong. Wigton started to tire up front as the turkey and mince pies took their toll and the scrum came under pressure. Widnes looked patient and accurate and their backs started to look dangerous as they ran good lines. However, whilst Wigton gave ground, they continued to scramble well and proved to have enough points in the bank. A penalty gave Wigton chance to relieve the pressure but the referee ruled that Hanabury's kick had gone into touch in goal and awarded Widnes a scrum.

However, Lee returned to the fray and although they finished on top with their rangy centre Welsh trying to break open the Wigton defence with good options, time was not on their side. When they kicked a penalty to the Wigton five metre line, it roved to be merely a chance to secure a bonus point. The ball was overthrown and as Wigton cleared the ball into touch, the final whistle blew.

Wigton showed again how tough they are to beat at home whilst Widnes showed signs of real quality on their team. They will be hoping that when top two sides Wirral and Birkenhead Park visit, that Wigton can put a spoke in their promotion wheels.

Wigton coach Malcolm Brown will be pleased with the win and pleased to come through a tough game with no apparent injuries and will look to improve the fitness of the side as the new year progresses.

Match Sponsors for the day were Alisdaire Bruce (LAND AGENT) and Adam Scott (SELECT SUPPLIES, WIGTON) - they had a difficult task selecting the M O M from a number of strong candidates; Fergus Ledingham, Ewan Dowes and Richard Moffat were prominent behind whilst up front Matt Atkinson dominated the line out, Lee and Marrs topped the carries and captain Andy Brown led the defensive chores. Ledingham took the steak home to soak up the port he received at Broughton Park!!