Wigton made a fluent start and looked set for an early score, but surrendered a favourable position in the Eccles 22 when penalised for holding onto the ball. The subsequent penalty gave the visitors a position from which to launch their first attack. This resulted in a penalty in front of the home sticks which gave Eccles a 0-3 lead.

They eagerly seized upon a chance to extend their lead shortly afterwards when they were awarded a scrum just inside their own half. Wigton's fringe defence seemed to have joined coach Brown on holiday as scrum half George Oakey broke up the middle of the field. With only full back Johnny Charters left to beat, he had the simple task of passing to Freddie Oakey, supporting his run from full back, to complete the score. A simple conversion gave Eccles a 0-10 lead.

Wigton had another chance to open their account when a quick tapped free kick by Fergus Ledingham started a move which took play to within five yards of the Eccles line, but the ball was frustratingly lost forward. However, as a confident Eccles side tried to play thie way out of defence, the were penalised for holding onto the ball. Charters made no mistake with the kick to make the score 3-10.

Wigton soon registered a try. A couple of penalties gave the side momentum and there was good retention as the defence was probed for weaknesses. Centre Richard Moffatt spotted a gap and took a good line from stand off Cory Bouch's pass to go roaring over the line, narrowing the score to 8-10.

Both sides went hunting tries, but moves were punctuated by errors which went a long way to explain the league positions of the two teams. The next score was started by some running play by a prop. Eccles skipper Mark Greenhalgh, having seen Wigton prop Lindsay Walker's hint of a dummy earlier, decided to try one of his own. He was pleasantly surprised to find Wigton defenders eager buyers of the dummy and set off on a determined trundle up the middle of the park. A seventy yard run was not in his legs, but he took play into the Wigton 22. Wigton managed to effect a turnover, but a laboured clearance kick ended up in the arms of Eccles left winger Reece James. He worked his way up field, studiously avoiding several gentle attempts at tackling, and managed to reach the line for his team's second try, making the score 8-15.

Wigton were close to scoring when they regained the ball from the kick off, but were penalised on the line for a double movement. Nevertheless, the Greens finished the half strongly with backs and forwards combining well and a penalty giving a lineout fifteen yards out. A catch and drive was well executed, resulting in drive for the line which almost reached a sprint as Russell Mclean was bundled over the whitewash by several team mates. This made the half time score 13-15.

Eccles had a bright start when Freddie Oakey made lots of ground from a fielded kick, but it was Wigton who had the first period of sustained pressure. Good handling and good work by centre Chris Pattinson and winger Stephen Harris put the Eccles line in danger. The pressure drew a yellow card for Eccles No 8 Joe Dale. Wigton had several attempts to score from mauls and scrums, but failed to retain possession. On the other hand, Eccles showed similar reluctance to hold onto the ball and clear their lines. Wigton eventually managed to string some phases together. Mark Deans, in a cameo role, took some of the forwards ball carrying burden off Robert Marrs. He was enjoying success riding the tackle and offloading. He linked up with Pattinson, running back on the angle. He lost his shirt to a defender but passed to Moffatt for a well taken try which was converted to put the home team in the lead 20-15.

The middle of the second half saw Wigton hit something like their best form. From the restart a loose ball was grabbed by second row Andrew Prentice. Good running by Moffatt and Harris swept play up the left touchline and Pattinson was in support to take the scoring pass, making it 25-15.

Moffatt was in the action again for the next try as he took another good line outside his man and was found well by Bouch's pass. The ball was recycled and moved across to the opposite flank where Harris showed good finishing to round two defenders and score, making the match 30-15.

There were no more scores but Wigton played out the game comfortably. Bouch grew in assurance and controlled the game well, using the breeze to drill the ball deep into the Eccles half where most of the play in the second half took place.

A five point win is the right note to set up a visit to Carlisle next week. There were mistakes today, with ball retention and tackling, but several positives as well. There was the form of the centres, Pattinson and Moffatt, who had involvement in all the scores today. Cory Bouch showed promise and Stephen Harris had a good game in attack and defence. Up front Richard Jackson was used to good effect at the front of the line. Marrs is the workhorse of the pack whilst the presence of Deans added an edge to the ball carrying. These positives should put us in good heart for the trip to Warwick Road next week.