Wigan met near neighbours Aspull in their first fixture since the summer break in what was billed as a pre-season friendly ‘training game’. What transpired was match where, despite rolling substitutes and players old and new becoming acquainted and reacquainted with each other, a real quality game broke out.

With the sun blasting down, it was more BBQ weather than scrums and rucks and the sizeable crowd certainly partook in the offerings up at the clubhouse and were fully refreshed throughout.

As the game settled into familiar rhythms it was Aspull, who will be playing in the league above Wigan this season, who looked the most threatening. The pace of their play in the backs gave the Emu support some confidence for the season ahead but despite this they couldn’t quite break the Wigan defence, who showed discipline and doggedness to keep the away side at bay.

The scorers weren’t troubled until the 15th minute of the first half when Wayne Bullough managed to get the ball away after contact and put Tom Bosley in for an easy finish in the corner.

Aspull regrouped and made some changes, and once again they look pacey in the back line and moved the ball fluently from ‘coast to coast’, eventually piercing the Wigan defence with a simple but well executed move down the right-hand side, to which they added a conversion.

With the addition of more rolling subs from each side, Aspull looked to further take control with a set piece move through the 10-12 channel that led to a score close to the posts. With Wigan dutifully attempting to charge down what should have been an easy conversion, the ball slipped wide of the posts in what would turn out to be decisive fashion. 5-12 was the score at the half.

With play restarted, Wigan continued to work their way into Aspull territory and whilst the Aspull defence was strong, Kilian Wallace eventually broke the line and carried the ball and three defenders over the line for the score. Adam Dwyer added the conversion.

Wigan found confidence now and their own back line was looking sharp and ready to take the game to the team from the league above. Joss Parker made a sniping run down the blind side and looked to be away before being hauled down by the collar. From the resulting penalty, Jon Clayton made a quick decision to tap and go, making headway deep into Aspull territory. Wigan recycled the ball well and a series of short balls took the ball ever closer to the line. It was Patrick Loughlin who found the strength to force the ball over and with Adam Dwyer adding the conversion, Wigan took the lead for the second time in the game.

With the game poised at 19-12 and the sunlight fading, the referee declared that this training game could only continue for a maximum of another 10 minutes. In the murk and the gloom Aspull put the pressure on the Wigan line and from a set piece they worked the ball into the right-hand corner. Our correspondent couldn’t quite see the ball being grounded, having left his night vision gear at home, but the referee assured everyone that the try was scored, and an excellent conversion took the scores to 19-19 in what was an entertaining and deserving draw.

Wigan’s next pre-season game comes quickly with a visit to Garstang, this Saturday the 13th August with kick off scheduled for 3pm.