Improved display against league leaders

Wigton produced a spirited performance against the promotion hunting visitors, extending Birkenhead Park before going down by three tries to four in a game which took Birkenhead to the top of the league. Birkenhead came with a well worked out, structured game plan which they adhered to throughout the afternoon. In their own half they kicked for territory, whilst in their opponents' half runners invariably came back inside, working the middle channels, where lots of support gave them continuity. Their bigger forwards gave them go forward, especially round the fringes of rucks. All four of their tries came from forwards crashing over at close range.

The game started with a fairly nondescript exchange of kicks but Ryan Clark's enthusiastic chasing on the left wing led to him charging down a kick in the Birkenhead 22. He kept his composure to gather the ball and register the first try. Jonny Charters stepped up from full back to kick the conversion, giving Wigton an early 7-0 lead.

The visitors soon slotted into their game plan and tried to kick the ball into the corners of the Wigton 22. On an early lineout, Wigton were unable to make much distance from a clearance kick, giving Birkenhead a foothold in their territory. The ball was won at the line and passed out to the backs. Wigton's defence coped well man on man, but a series of short runs down the middle took play near the Wigton line from where flanker Robert Doolan was able to pick up and score. Full back Dave Hall converted to level the scores at 7-7.

Wigton, with the breeze at their backs, tried to make progress up the touchline with propping grubbers form young fly half Cory Bouch. This resulted in a penalty which gave Charters the opportunity to put Wigton in front again, 10-7.

Hall responded shortly afterwards with a penalty for a high tackle, tying the scores at 10-10.
Wigton seemed to be coping comfortably in defence, but centre Richard Moffatt was shown the yellow card, giving the visitors an edge in numbers. A penalty was tapped in the Wigton 22 and good retention once again enabled them to move towards the Wigton line with hooker Peter Doolan following his brother by scoring a try. Hall's conversion gave the visitors a 10-17 lead at half time.

Birkenhead Park started the second half strongly with good forward momentum again taking play deep into the Wigton 22. Another tapped penalty produced a close range try for No 8 Ollie Mabbott. Hall again coverted to make the score 10-24.

Wigton then started to come back into the game. The defence held up and good counter attacking started to produce a number of penalties. Birkenhead started to look more vulnerable in the wider channels. Good defensive work by centre Chris Pattinson saw the ball ripped free in the Wigton 22. No 8 Stuart Creighton, scrum half Fergus Ledingham and Charters all handled as play was taken towards half way, drawing a penalty. This created a lineout possibility around the visitors' 22. The ball was overthrown but alertly caught by Andrew Prentice at the tail of the line. He found the ever-willing Creighton in support. He took play close to the line and the recycled ball was moved wide on the right to Charters. He was held short of the line but the recycled ball was moved to centre Richard Moffatt who squeezed over in the corner. The score was now 15-24.

Birkenhead's tactics now started to look predictable, although they were dominating at scrum time. Another counter attack from deep by Charters and winger Stephen Harris looked promising before it was terminated by a forward pass. As Wigton looked to get on the front foot, the referee's patience ran out with the Birkenhead defence and it was their turn to have a player yellow carded. The visitors compounded their difficulties when the ball was kicked out on the full after having been taken back into the 22.

Wigton won the line, with Richard Jackson again doing a good day's work at the front, and it was moved to Bouch. A well worked move involving Bouch, Moffatt and Pattinson created the chance for Charters to attack out wide. Although he had Harris in support outside him, he backed himself,and had the strength to get past two tacklers and make the line. His conversion narrowed the score to 22-24 and Wigton were now within a try of a five point win.

Unfortunately it was Birkenhead who had the last word. The were awarded a kickable penalty in the Wigton half but opted to kick for a lineout in the Wigton 22. They started with a catch and drive followed by further progress round the fringes by prop O'Keefe and scrum half Chidley, before Peter Doolan sealed the win with his second try of the day. Hall's successful conversion made the final score 22-31, with Wigton a little unfortunate to be denied even a losing bonus point for their efforts.

This was an encouraging performance with the defence being tighter in general and the backs showing the ability to make ground. With a few key players not far from returns from injury, there are positive signs for next week's Cup game at Furness.

Coach Malcolm Brown 'There was strong performances today from Captain Rob Marrs, Richard Jackson and Stuart Creighton up front with Richard Moffatt, Chris Pattinson and Fergus Ledingham outstanding behind the scrum. Match Sponsors D A Harrison and Sons awarded Man of the Match to Richard Moffatt. Debutant flanker Peter Thorneycroft also caught the eye with a typically robust workout.

No Wanderers game this weekend, however the Colts played at home to Billingham losing out in a cracking game by 24 - 17. The Billingham coaching team awarded Man of the Match to number 8 Josh Nicholson.