Wigan U8's v Leigh and Rossendale

With an improvement in the weather, the pitches at Douglas Valley were deemed fit to play – a huge relief for the frustrated parents who had had to find some other way of entertaining their children last Sunday!

With both Leigh and Rossendale making the journey, all three teams were ready to participate in a tri fixture. Leigh, buoyed by a healthy squad, kindly split their players into two teams to ensure games could be played against both Wigan and Rossendale, ensuring nobody had to stand around waiting to play. Many thanks!!!

Wigan played their opening fixture against Leigh in what was billed as another testing encounter. Both teams, having played each other several times this year, understood this was never going to be an easy game and any win would be a hard fought one. Wigan started fantastically, with Zack’s speed splitting the defence and making space to pass and ensure a score in the corner. Wigan continued to utilise the pass to find room in Leigh’s well-disciplined defence, with Tom’s elusive running resulting in some sublime tries. Leigh, never to be outdone, responded with some well worked tries but the first half spoils remained with Wigan. Obviously spurred on by Wigan’s passing game, Leigh’s half time talk seemed to spark with the players and not to be outdone, they came out in the second half determined to take the game to the Wigan boys. Stringing pass after path, both teams displayed some fantastic rugby and created what was an open and exciting match for all the supporters and coaches - smiles on everyone’s faces! Despite the spirited performance, Wigan held on and took the win.

Faced with a second game against Leigh, after a quick switch of pitches, Wigan’s players lined up expecting the same. Starting well as usual, Wigan took the game to Leigh. Rhys, with ball in hand darted in and out and around the defence, pirouetting as he went – Billy Elliot sprang to mind! – to score and with Luke reading the game with an air of maturity most of Wigan’s 1st 15 don’t possess, things were going well. Leigh ensured the game however didn't get away and responded with some well worked tries to maintain a competitive game. With the final whistle, Wigan took the win and made it two from two.

With the third and final game for Wigan against Rossendale, the players recalled the previous encounter at Rossendale in freezing conditions in early January! Thankfully the weather was much warmer and both teams were able to enjoy the conditions. Wigan started the game with their usual pace. Jacob attacked the line and found space to offload and create the overlap which Wigan capitalised on scoring an early try. Rossendale ensured a swift response, with some great running and scoring soon after. The first half saw both team exchange tries with some great team work. With the final half time talk underway, the thought of another clean sweep focused the Wigan players and a return to their usually passing game helped put pressure on the Rossendale defence, resulting in some long distance tries and ultimately the win.

Having enjoyed a good morning of rugby, Wigan’s players returned to the club for their usual hotdog and chips and the excitement of who was going to take the MOM award. As usual the decision was not easy. Again, as is becoming the norm, the award could have gone to any one of the players, with everyone putting in a great performance both as individuals and as a team. Despite this only one could be chosen and with his usual dominance on the field, both in attack and defence, George stood out and took home the coveted award.