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Thornton Cleveleys 32 - 26 Wigan

Thornton Cleveleys 32 - 26 Wigan

Daniel Morris8 Apr 2019 - 09:23
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Wigan rue critical mistakes

Wigan travelled to Thornton-Cleveleys this weekend as first played third in the semi-final of the M J Worsley Shield.

Hopes were high for Wigan who were looking for a league and cup double and the result seemed to be on the cards as they opened the scoring just 2 minutes in. Adam Dwyer made the break down the inside right before putting Daniel Winrow through on the outside. Winrow drew his man before playing the ball back inside for Connor Matthews to go over untouched. Dwyer added the conversion.

However, the first half became a stalemate as both sides defended diligently and spurned the chances that were offered to them. It wasn’t until deep into stoppage time that ‘TC’ levelled the match. From just inside the Wigan half, the ball was played out wide and some poor tackling allowed the opposition wing to take the ball over. With the conversion added the sides went in 7-7 at half time.

As the game resumed ‘TC’ went immediately onto the front foot. An attempt at a drop goal, straight after the restart, hit both posts and the crossbar before landing in the hands of the Wigan defence. Wigan failed to secure the ball and it was taken over for the opening score of the second half.

After the shock wore off, Wigan fought back into the game and it was Adam Dwyer again who broke through in the 22 to finish off some good work in the backs. His converted try levelled the game.

From here it all started to go wrong for Wigan as injuries and fatigue took their toll. Indiscipline broke the deadlock as Wigan conceded a penalty within range which was duly despatched.
‘TC’ were making all the running and a break from their standoff wasn’t covered. Wigan’s defence scrambled to bring him down but he lofted the ball over to his waiting back row to take the ball over and take the game further away from Wigan with just 15 minutes to play. 22-14

‘TC’ widened the gap further with a drop goal ten minutes from time and then further rubbed salt in the wounds as a quick throw in was taken from a lineout in Wigan’s 22 and the defence were caught napping.

With the game seemingly over at 32-14 and only minutes to play, Wigan fought back with tries from Winrow and Gee but they were only to be consolations as Wigan went down 32-26 and Thornton Cleveleys progress to the final.

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