In November, Wigton's season hit its low point when eighty points were shipped on the visit to Vale of Lune. Now, with a certain ironic symmetry, the season hit its high point with a well- deserved 19-12 win over the same opponents four months later, following a stupendous second half effort in the teeth of a fierce gale.

The wind promised to be a vital factor in this match and Wigton had the wind at their back in the first half. Both sides made early handling errors, but they had a greater effect on Vale of Lune as they opted for a more conservative approach, keeping the ball close to their efficient pack.

Wigton, not surprisingly given the elements, dominated the first half in terms of territory but not in term of points. The first major attack came following a powerful run by back rower Josh Nicholson, bursting onto the ball from deep. This led to a penalty for Wigton, but Gregg Smith, operating at centre, failed to read the tricky wind, and missed the kick at goal.

A quick tap from a scrum free kick by scrum half Fergus Ledingham got Wigton on the move again. Indeed, he was to play a vital role dictating the pace of the game, causing constant problems for the visitors had he played with great tempo. Wigton had an attacking lineout and got a drive going. A score looked certain, but the ball was held up over the line. More attacks came from the subsequent scrum and Vale were pressured into penalties. Wigton looked to use their familiar driving maul routine and Vale stopped the drive only at the cost of more penalties. On the third time of asking several of the Vale pack came in at the side and referee Matt Astle of Northumberland had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try which Smith converted for a 7-0 lead.

Wigton seemed to think that they had an edge in the backs and looked to move the ball wide where possible. Smith and fellow centre Richard Moffatt seemed to pose constant problems for the defence. By way of contrast, Vale, playing into the wind, kept the ball close to their forwards. Neither side was accurate enough for their tactics to have the desired effect at this point, although it seemed as though Wigton's domination of territory must pay off. One good attacking position was lost to a penalty, another to a knock on and another attack saw Wigton held up over the line. As half time approached, the home supporters were left to ponder whether a seven point lead would be sufficient.

In the thirty eighth minute, things took a turn for the worse from a Wigton point of view. A penalty let Vale enter the Wigton red zone for the first time in the match and they made good ground with a number of catch and drives. Now it was Wigton's turn to concede penalties under pressure. Vale were awarded a scrum about twelve yards out. With Wigton prop Lindsey Walker off injured, Robert Marrs was pressed into service at loose head. It would be an exaggeration to say he was enjoying the experience and Vale's scrummage made ground at a rate of knots. When they failed to score the referee again was in doubt about awarding a penalty try. This made the scores level at 7-7 as half time came.

There was no doubt that Vale, now with the wind behind them, were the happier of the two teams. Wigton seemed to have their work cut out. Their response however, was a second half performance of endeavour, accuracy and character as they played a near faultless forty minutes of rugby into the gale. The tactics of the two sides were fascinating. Vale hardly ever used the advantage of the wind to keep Wigton pinned back, but seemed confident that their ball retention was good enough to enable them to work their way up the pitch to score. As it transpired, they were somewhat over confident in this belief. Wigton, on the other hand, rarely kicked out of defence, but trusted themselves to play their way out of defence. On a number of occasions they went virtually the full length of the field with a mix of close drive and runs, and strong running and accurate passing in the wider channels. Control and ball retention were superb.

The first minutes of the second half set the pattern. Wigton received a deep kick off and patiently worked their way out of defence. En route to the Vale line, they were awarded two penalties. These were quickly tapped by Ledingham, as he and half back partner David Hanabury dictated play and kept Vale on the back foot. Eventually, without having lost the ball from the kick off, Wigton were able to move the ball left and Smith was able to get through the defence for a superbly fashioned try. He was unable to convert so the home team now had a 12-7 lead.

From the restart Vale were able to force a handling error in the 22 and looked to exert scrummaging pressure. They were held at bay in the tight, but gradually crept closer to the line as it was their turn to show good retention and continuity. Finally fly half Carter was able to squeeze over for an unconverted try which levelled the scores, although in the process he was injured and had to leave the field.

The game was on a knife edge and a strong run from No 8 Swarbrick took Vale back into Wigton territory. However the defence was on its mettle and they came up with a vital turnover. Vale were having success with their driving lineouts but when play broke up it was Wigton who were more threatening.

Vale were in the Wigton 22 when their backs were penalised for crossing. From deep, inside the 22, Ledingham's tap initiated an attack that was ever bit as good as the previous one. With their tails up, Wigton patiently worked their way down field. The forwards such as Sean Stephens and Russell Maclean did a lot of important work making vital inches and also making sure that play did not go wide too early when ball carriers could become isolated. Players worked hard to stay on their feet for vital seconds so that support could arrive. Finally a very kick able penalty was awarded in the 22 but Ledingham did not consider the kick for a moment but tapped again, moving the ball to Smith who crossed for his second try which he was able to convert, giving Wigton a 19-12 lead with fifteen minutes to go.

Vale came on hard, but lacked composure and direction. Their impetuosity led to them conceding penalties in attack as the Wigton defence was disciplined and equal to all challenges. Sensible, accurate play saw them carry the ball away from danger areas. Vale's afternoon was perfectly encapsulated when they were awarded a penalty in midfield. This was a great chance to set up their favoured drive and catch from the lineout. However, the kick was blown infield by the wind and ended up over the deadball line, giving Wigton a scrum back. Even the Wigton scrum ended the game on top. The workaholic Marrs left injured and a patched up Walker was thrust on again for the final minutes. In those final minute he had to do the duties at three scrums, but those were Wigton's most powerful scrums of the game.

When the final whistle blew, Wigton were able to reflect on their best performance of the season. No one had a poor game today. It was great to see John Story start his first game of the season aftern a long absence through illness. The game showed how Ryan Clark and young Josh Nicholson have progressed this season and many players who have gone through the mill this year will emerge stronger and mentally tougher. Richard Jackson won a lot of important ball at the front of the line, something that is not always easy when the opposition have worked out that every ball is going there.

And so we have a deserved week off before going on the road again in a fortnight to Wilmslow. Coach Brown will be able to hand out plaudits at training this week, and rightly so because they are richly deserved.

Coach Malcolm Brown adds 'This was a greet performance and with more lead men returning players are determined to finish the season strongly. Gregg Smith was the sponsors M O M after an impressive brace of tries and 2 conversions - pushed by a number of strong games throughout the line up. Pay back for the 70 point differential in October!'