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Wigan 52 - 17 Liverpool Collegiate

Wigan 52 - 17 Liverpool Collegiate

Daniel Morris4 Jan - 16:01

Happiest of New Year's as Wigan start 2025 with solid victory

Wigan welcomed Liverpool Collegiate to Douglas Valley for the first game of the New Year. After a tough fixture in Aigburth, earlier in the season, the table topping home side new that they would have to work hard for a result.

Both sides looked to be a little rusty for the Christmas break, and it was 10 minutes until either side really got a hold of the ball to make any progress. A quick tap penalty from Ollie Morgan, saw Wigan take the ball deep into the Collegiate 22 and recycled ball was eventually forced over by Tim Wilson from 5 yards out. Daniel Cassidy added the conversion.

Wigan remained patient and the pack set a good platform for the talented Wigan back line. Forced back towards their own line, the Collegiate pack gave up the ball and an attacking scrum to Wigan. Wigan played an 8 – 9 move through Wayne Bullough and Ollie Morgan, the latter finishing well for the second try of the game. Cassidy converted.

With 10 minutes of the first half remaining, Wigan started to ramp up the pressure. A settled scrum in their own half provided a stable footing for a great set play. Ollie Morgan found Daniel Cassidy at 10 before the Wigan back line swept inside as one. The ball was moved inside to the careening Chris Carr who made ground before putting Riley Dervan through on the inside again and into space for a finish from halfway. Cassidy converted.

Another scrum move saw Mason Fillingham move the ball outside to Dervan, who was on hand to score his second of the game and secure the 4-try bonus point for the home side and a 26-0 lead at half time.

Collegiate found heart at the halftime break and were first on the score sheet in the second half. A series of penalties pinned Wigan back and the ball was forced over from close in.

Wigan weren’t about to give up the momentum though and immediately struck back. Having worked into a good position about 30 yards out, Mason Fillingham made a pinpoint cross field kick, into the arms of the waiting Cassidy, who stepped his man and went over for the score. Cassidy converted for a 33-5 scoreline.

Cassidy, having switched to full back, was running the show now. A quick pass inside found Ollie Morgan in acres of space, and he went over untouched to score. Cassidy added the conversion.

Collegiate weren’t done yet and an excellent move down the right flank saw them score in the corner. More Wigan indiscipline gave Collegiate great attacking position and despite valiant Wigan defending, Collegiate forced the ball over from close. With the added conversion the scores were 40-17 with 10 minutes of play remaining.

Wigan regrouped and set about providing the same platform that had served them so well in the first half. Mason Fillingham provided the impetus with a break from 30 yards out that he finished on his own.

Cassidy once again showed his class, a penalty on the opposition 22 was taken quickly and he weaved his way through the defence. Cassidy added the conversion, and the final whistle was blown with the scores at 52-17.

Wigan continue to top the table and look forward to a trip to Oldham next weekend before welcoming Leigh to Douglas Valley on the 18th of January for another battle of the borough.

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