Unfortunately, a change in the weather didn’t bring about a change in Wigton’s fortunes, with Cumbrian rivals Kirkby Lonsdale winning comfortably by 40-10.

Wigton started well and only an infringement for not releasing stopped them scoring in the corner. Following a period of scrappy play, Kirkby Lonsdale took the lead with a try and simple conversion, 7-0 to the visitors.

Shortly afterwards Colin Sessford took a knock to the head and left the field with concussion to be replaced by Elliot Armstrong. Wigton started to come back into the game and following a long kick, Wigton secured possession in the opposing half. However, after winning a line out, captain Andrew Brown sustained a serious knee injury and joined Sess in the ambulance on the way to the Cumberland Infirmary. Almost immediately Kirkby Lonsdale touched down for their second try and the conversion gave Kirkby a 14-0 lead at half time.

Kirkby took control early in the second half with a simple try and conversion to lead 21-0. Wigton pressed forward and following an infringement were awarded a penalty but the missed kick failed to put any points on the board. However the team continued to advance and following a driving maul Elliott Armstrong touched down to give Wigton their first points, 5-21. This try seemed to stir Kirkby back into action resulting in 3 tries in quick succession and a comfortable lead of 40-5. Wigton sustained yet another injury towards the end of the match when Gregg Smith was helped off the pitch with an ankle injury.

The Wigton heads never dropped and Elliott Armstrong rounded off the afternoon with his second try to bring the final score 40-10 to Kirkby Lonsdale.

Kirkby Lonsdale were worthy winners and deserved this victory, they benefitted in particular from an effective trio of Barton, Walker and Storey who were together for the first time this campaign. Wigton must now regroup before next weekends tough away trip to Kendal.

Hopefully Gregg may recover for next weekend, however Colin will be subject to new concussion protocols before being able to resume.

Best wishes from everyone at the club to popular Captain Andrew Brown who has suffered a fractured kneecap and is due to have surgery today.

In Andrews absence leadership of the squad was shared by Robert Marrs and Fergus Ledingham, both were proposed for MoM along with Gregg Smith and the improving Richard Jackson.

The match sponsors were a group of 30 ex- players organised by John Jennings and after protracted negotiations (and numerous pints) it was Fergus who was presented with the meat parcel by former 1st XV capt David Dewis.