A trip to Lytham for the Lancs Cup Finals held this year at Fylde RUFC. A fine day, a dry pitch with a strong breeze were all promising for a good match.

Straight from Wigan’s kick off Wigan applied pressure to Sefton but they tackled hard. After a bit of to and fro Wigan slowly progressed up the pitch. We were awarded a penalty for a high tackle, a kick to touch and a line out. The ball was then sent through hands, the defence was good but after three phases Samson got through and opened the scoring after 3 minutes. Billy’s kick seemed bang between the posts but a late gust of wind saw it veer off. Wigan. 5- 0
Sefton soon answered with a try of their own a couple of minutes later, their no 8 proving too much of a handful for the Wigan defence, the unconverted try levelling the score.
A tight period of play followed, a few errors interrupting Wigan’s flow. Sefton were awarded a penalty for lifting in a tackle and took advantage with their string forwards bursting through for them to take the lead after 11 minutes. Again unconverted the score now 10-5 to Sefton.
Wigan then had perhaps their best spell of the game, good work up the left flank forced a penalty, and a kick to touch. Ball through hands again testing the Sefton defence, good recycling and distribution saw Billy break through and score near the posts. This time close enough for him to add the extras, Wigan retook the lead 12-10 after 14minutes.
Straight from the restart the ball got to Logan who broke through the initial line of defence and a mesmerising step on their fill back saw him through to score arguably the best try of the match under the posts, Billy adding the 2 to take the score to 19-10 which remained ‘til half time.

Sefton started the second half determined and immediately had Wigan on the back foot, their forwards once again managing to bundle over for an unconverted try. 19-15.
A tight period of play followed with good play from both sides, but unfortunately Wigan defence capitulated again and Sefton this time got close enough to the posts to convert this try and retake the lead 22-19.
More to a fro play made exciting viewing for the spectator, but a bitter blow was to come for Wigan. We were penalised for not releasing and were then caught sleeping as the Sefton scrum half dashed through to score to take the score to 27-19.
Not downhearted, Wigan didn’t give up and were rewarded with a great try form Isaac, converted by Billy to narrow the score to 27-26.
With seconds to go a break saw Samson pin his ears back and so nearly snatch the win but was tackled by their scrum half, and the referee blew the final whistle.

Heartbreak and tears for Wigan, a few refereeing decisions questionable, but great entertainment for the crowd. Well done Wigan, unlucky but you did yourselves and the club proud!