Wigan’s 5th match in this seasons Blacksticks Blue Lancashire Cup meant a trip to Warrington on a murky overcast Sunday in January.
I can’t remember having beaten Warrington before so stakes were high in this game, but determination in the team.

Kick off a couple of minutes late and Wigan were playing uphill in the first half. After only three minutes of even play the ref penalised Wigan for offside a couple of times which was fairly cenral and within the range of the Warrington kicker who duly slotted the penalty to give the home side an early 3- 0 lead.
Wigan’s restart didn’t go 10 and Warrington opted for a scrum back on the half way. As through this season Wigan’s scrum (Tim, Sam P, Ethan, Xander, Toby, Tom, Ben, Max) was strong and a great hook by Sam P against the feed got the ball back, this was followed by a great passing movement across to the right wing, where Samson just ran out of space and was bundled into touch short pf the line.
Wigan had a short period of pressure on the opponents line , again another turn for Wigan’s back to stretch the opponents, this time Samson opting to kick infield only for Warrington’s fullback to carry touch down behind the try line under pressure for a 25 drop out.
Wigan struggled to get much continuity and were often penalised, however one storming drive from Kieron attracted enough defenders to allow an offload to Sam C and him able to ground for Wigan’s first try. Well within Joss’s range and he duly slotted the extras for a 7-3 lead.
Warrington’s restart also didn’t go 10 and Wigan won the resultant scrum. There followed a period of Wigan pressure working well up the centre and left, the backs (Joss, Sam C, Kieron, Logan, Joe, Samson, Billy) working well together and with the forwards recycling the ball efficiently phase after phase. One well-placed kick was followed up by the backs and Warrington’s full back carried over and touched down to give Wigan a scrum 5m from the opponent’s line. All looked well for Wigan but unfortunately a drop in the backs relieved the pressure for Wigan.
Warrington’s defence stood string and saw through to half time with the score at 3 – 7

Wigan started the second half downhill with a greater urgency and quick passing movement along the backs got the ball to Samson who had a bit of space but still did really well to step round the defence to ground the ball near the right side. The angle and distance just too much for Joss to add the extras, but Wigan now looking a bit more comfortable with a 3 – 12 lead.
Now was the time I thought Wigan would have started to dominate, but with Warrington defending well and the game being very stop/start, that didn’t happen. Isaac and Tap now on but Warrington showed character and stayed in the game and got a converted try of their own 12 minutes later to edge the score back to 10 – 12. Heart in mouth time for parents of both sides for a nail biting finale. Wigan worked their way down the pitch, quickly running a penalty that may have been in kicking range, but were awarded another for a high tackle in front of the posts. Joss may have quickly run another but an injury to one of the Warrington players allowed time for the team to take stock, and eventually opt to kick which Joss duly did. 10 – 15 with just a few minutes left.
After the restart decisions seemed to go against Wigan and Warrington laid siege to the Wigan line for a couple of minutes. A high tackle from Wigan awarded a penalty to Warrington and the ref yellow carded Ben for the tackle and Joss for dissent. Wigan down to 13 for the final assault, grim determination repelled the onslaught and a good clearance from Billy saw Warrington’s winger knock on near the 25 and Wigan relieve their lines. Shortly afterward Billy kicked a penalty so far it landed three pitches away and finally much to the delight of the team the ref blew the final whistle.

Final Score Warrington 10 – 15 Wigan

Another good display from the Wigan boys, they showed great character to finally beat Warrington. Warrington played very well and gave us a great match.

On a personal note I think referees do a great job and refereeing mistakes are to be expected but consistency in decisions appeared to me to be lacking here. I admit I am biased and fortunately the final result went our way this time.

Good news was to follow for Wigan when we heard that Sefton slipped up against Waterloo meaning that barring a very heavy loss against them next month Wigan should top table A. We don’t however want a loss of any description or even a draw. Keep up the hard work and continue to improve.

Team – Tim, Sam P, Ethan, Xander, Toby, Tom, Ben, Max, Joss, Sam C, Kieron, Logan, Joe, Samson, Billy, Tap, Isaac