Wigan U10’s at Tyldesley Tournement

Wigan Lions headed down the East Lancs to Tyldesley for a Mini Tournement

Again with a skeleton squad due to unavailability, albeit with a slightly different line-up to last week.

First Game: Tyldesley

It could be said that the draw was not kind to Wigan; with their first match some considerable time after arriving, the fizz amongst the squad on arrival at the club had begun to go flat even before a whistle was blown. No Myles this week, but Kyle instead. So from the off we had a run from Kyle to set-out the stall, but he was driven into touch. Wigan persisted, and play went on for a minute or two in the Tyldesley half. Eventually William showed the way and went over to open the scoring. Tyldesley were straight back at us though and soon equalized. A period of even play followed, but shoddy tackling let the hosts through for a second try on half time.
Tyldesley came out again meaning business and soon stretched their lead, again Wigan’s defence not what it should be. Too many solo tackles and no clearing-out. A Tyldesley forward looked try-bound with a powerful drive, but this time a team effort stopped him and he was driven back. Somehow Mack managed to get the ball and made a break covering half the pitch but was tackled. Kyle made a break similar to his opener, but was again bundled in to touch without support. Third time lucky though, and his next break was successful though he did need every drop of his pace as well as power.

Overall not a great start. The confidence, discipline, movement and skill of last week were not apparent. A performance on par with last week would surely have reversed the result.

Full time: Wigan 2 Tyldesley 3

Second Game: Sefton.

Wigan fell foul of some loose time-keeping outside their control, and were forced to play their second game without a breather. Not ideal in any circumstances, but certainly not when your opponent is Sefton. Barely having got their breath back from game one, our lads were facing the “Seff” chant and all that goes with it.
Predictably from the off it was a tense, hard fought physical game, with Wigan unable to find their rhythm. Two quick Sefton tries sent the Wigan heads downwards, and by half time Wigan appeared to have been snuffed out.
From the opening move of the second half, a Sefton attack went straight through Wigan unchallenged.
Wigan were later awarded a free pass deep in their own half, but were tackled swiftly, and lost the ball in the following ruck, and with that conceded another try.
Tiredness and lack of composure against a fierce opponent was only going to end one way.

Full Time Wigan 0 – Sefton 4.

(Sefton went on to win the tournement, so congratulations to them.)

Third Game: Fleetwood

The timetabled start of the third match was upon us before we had left the pitch form the second, but a 10 minute reprieve was given.
Fleetwood meant business, and the first few minutes were played out close to the Wigan line, with Wigan holding on for dear life. Being less intimidated, Wigan did find their feet, and were more disciplined at the breakdown. Despite this Fleetwood got their early try.
Following a signature break, William was held short, but support and further determination from Harry and Mack led to a try for Mack. Not content with evens at half time, Fleetwood added a second on the whistle.
Fleetwood started the second half as they did the first, and Wigan were defending deeper and deeper positions. In fact twice having crossed the line, Fleetwood were denied points by last ditch measures from Wigan. Further waves of attack eventually found them taking a third point though. Maybe they then ran out of steam, or maybe William found his, but suddenly from nowhere he runs in two great tries, bringing the scores even to give Wigan hope in the last game in the round-robin phase of the tournement.

Full Time: Wigan 3 – Fleetwood 3.

Fourth Game: Leigh

A lively and promising start from Wigan, with everything to play for. An early try from William helped keep up the confidence. Further runs from William and Mack were both almost successful, and Wigan ended the half looking good, at least when in possession.
The second half got under way, and from nowhere William zig zagged across much of the pitch, again keeping players and spectators alike all guessing where he was going next. Over the try line of course, this time under the sticks.
Not done for yet, Leigh made a magnificent comeback, evening up the scores in no time.
But some great play from Wigan, of which thus far today we’d seen very little, begun by Sam, and involving Joss with a great pass to Will to finish, put us a point ahead with little time remaining on the clock. In the final seconds though Leigh showed tremendous spirit and seemed hungrier for a result. The game ended even, putting Leigh through to the final, and dumping Wigan back on the A580.

Squad:
Harry, Jacob, Joe, Joss, Kyle, Louis, Mack, Nicholas, Sam, Tom, William.

Man of the Match: William

A special mention too for Harry (because the report and score sheet don’t do him justice). Always in the thick of it, and he gave it everything as usual, showing the others how it’s done.

Tries:
William 6
Kyle 1
Mack 1