Wigan Lions headed west over Parbold Hill to Southport for a tri-team minis fixture with Southport and Preston GH.

The under 10s fielded a skeleton squad with many players unavailable. As things stood at Saturday lunchtime it looked like we were going to be unable to even raise a full team.

First game: Southport:
A squad of nine players braving the icy sea breeze got under way. From the whistle, Myles raised team spirits with a rousing trademark try; a powerful solo run down the middle, adding not one but two killer side-steps to throw off would-be tacklers. Joe demonstrated his re-found confidence in tackling, to help prevent Southport from coming back. A break by Jacob was ended just short, but good support from teammates resulted in Harry getting over. Effective play at the breakdown, much improved from recent weeks, gave Wigan much of the possession. Some truly excellent movement by Wigan, with cheers from supporters at every pass, soon put Joss over. Following a scrum, which was well won by Wigan, scrum-half Joss was in again. All the while the play was in the Southport half. A subsequent play saw Louis getting on the end of a pass and going for the line, but just one metre evaded him of his first try. Again Harry was close at hand, and finished the job for his second making it 5-0 at the break.

Southport looked more lively after the team talk, and a certain early try for them was prevented by Nicholas right on the line. Following a scrum Southport again looked like scoring but this time Joss got across to prevent it. Unlike the first half, play was now mostly in the Wigan half, but the Wigan defences held firm; Mack making several tackles. A breakaway was made by Joe, off-loading to Harry, passing like a pro to schoolmate Myles who ran the remaining half of the pitch, cutting defenders off with his turns, for a spectacular team try. Southport’s hopes were raised when they appeared to get a try, but the hawk-eyed ref had spotted a forward pass, and so the clean sheet was intact. William later raced up the wing but was held short. As ever Harry was all over the pitch in the thick of it, and having taken the ball from an opponent he put a pass to Joss, who knew exactly where the try-line was and claimed his third. With the final whistle imminent, a big drive from Wigan began just inside the Southport half, and ended in the goal area, with Harry managing to make the touchdown.

Full time Wigan 8 tries – Southport 0

Second game: Preston GH.
The return of Brad from a morning’s loan to his classmates in the U9s, bolstered the squad to ten players, and the decision was taken by coaches to play ten a side.

Wigan made a good start, hoping to carry on as they left off. A spilled ball by Southport, in their own goal area, was well followed up by Myles, who got a hand to it to open the scoring. This game was more balanced than Wigan’s first, but the quality of their play was just as good. Harry’s steal followed by a powerful run up the wing warmed the Wigan support as he went over. Some fine movement from Wigan, with accurate passing and good running looked try-bound for Myles, but being held, he off-loaded to Brad who powered over in the corner. Nicholas added to the scoring just on half time showing remarkable speed.

Half time 4-0.

Well the ‘Myles formula’ worked before, so they used it again, and his effort was just as good. Another try. Jacob took a bad knock and would have normally been substituted, but bravely stayed on and contributed well to the rest of the game. This spirit perhaps defining the Wigan team today. Following a scrum Mack made significant ground, but ran into traffic. Myles had the final say in the scoring having combined again with Harry.

Full time: Wigan 6 tries Preston GH 0.

Throughout both matches, the whole Wigan team played remarkably well. ALL players tackled, supported, passed well, and each made a vital contribution. Neither opponent team found a hole in the Wigan defence, proving that every Wigan player pulled his weight. The result? A comprehensive stuffing of two quality teams, that the players and coaches should be very very proud of.

A perfect team performance from a determined, if depleted, Wigan squad. Their attacking plays were at times truly awesome and the double clean sheet speaks volumes for their solid defence.

Squad:
Brad, Harry, Jacob, Joe, Joss, Louis, Mack, Myles, Nicholas, William.

Man of the Match: Joss

Tries:
Myles 5
Harry 4
Joss 3
Brad 1
Nicholas 1

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