Wigan U10’s v LSH and Leigh

A bitterly cold morning, intermittent sun, strong winds, and muddy pitches being today’s selections from the conditions menu.

First match LSH.

Wigan made a great start, competing strongly for the ball, rucking and tackling well. Even when a Wigan pass was intercepted, the following LSH attack was quickly quashed and possession regained. Wigan having all the territory advantage made the home side work hard to keep the score sheet clean. Harry made a great tackle, bundling a man into touch.
Wigan’s win rate at line-outs continued to be poor, but still any LSH attacks were short -lived.

LSH too were quick to tackle, and Wigan were unable to move the ball, and could not effect any success in their attacking. Some panic passes were evident, with Wigan players throwing the ball into space without looking. Luckily Wigan’s defending was robust and complete.

All of the first half was played in the LSH half, and much of that within yards of their line. Wigan were unlucky not to convert the territorial battering into points.

Score at the break 0-0

Wigan won an early line-out but didn’t make it count. LSH brought the game to Wigan’s half, and the last ditch defending by Wigan as seen lately, was back in action, and effective.

Following a free pass deep in the Wigan Half, Myles made a very powerful run up the middle, brushing off several determined defenders as he went, for a superb dad-pleasing try. The first notch on today’s score sheet lifting the spirits of the whole team.

Joss made a break up the wing and as he was tackled made the pass to Mack, but his pass was intercepted, and LSH switched to the opposite wing with a quick runner looking try bound. Until, that is, from the corner of my eye, I spotted Kyle covering across at pace. Tackle made. Attacker left counting stars. Wigan’s fragile lead intact.

LSHs attacking efforts dampened, Wigan took the game back to the LSH half. Good tackling from both sides, with Brad and Myles doing much of the Wigan work scrapping for the ball. Cold hands not helping with Wigan’s efforts to throw the ball about they gave several balls away.

With the last play LSH launched a determined attack trying to bring the score level, but though the game ended with a pile of bodies on the Wigan line, in the corner, it was Joss who stood up last, emerging as defending hero.

Full time: Wigan 1 LSH 0.

Second match: Leigh.

I can recall two particular previous encounters with Leigh –the first being a home game around this time last season and the second being our last game at the recent Tyldesley tournement. Both were hard fought draws, with last minute equalizers.

Leigh came into the game fresh, having been in hibernation whilst Wigan had played LSH.

Joss Jacob and Brad were rested for much of the first half.

From the off, this looked an entirely different game. Just as close, perhaps even more so, but much more of the pitch was used, with play in all areas. Leigh scored first having run through a couple of frozen Wigan defenders who were happy to watch. Myles tried to even things up but was driven into touch a few yards out. The next Leigh attack was dealt with by William, and Kyle was putting in the tackles too. However it wasn’t long before Leigh stretched their lead.

A drive at pace by Kyle was halted by the ref, and Leigh took advantage mounting a lively attack, making it 3. Again Kyle took it in, but was held short once more. Right on half time, though some great play by Wigan was rounded off by Mack from a great supporting position.

Score at the break 3-1 to Leigh

A confident start to the second half by Wigan saw some good movement, and with Myles and Kyle driving up field, Mack was on hand again to cross the line.

Kyle’s tackle thwarted a Leigh reply.

More sloppy handling from Wigan, perhaps due to the cold, prevented them being as effective going forward as they can be, but nevertheless they gained the upper hand, and looked for once like they might come back from behind. Indeed following a sublime pass from Brad, Mack was in for a third.

Leigh smelled victory though and came back quickly, bursting through the Wigan team whose defence was comic because they were falling over each other.

Wigan won a line-out and from that Myles crossed the line but was judged held up. Wigan really turned up the attacking heat for the final couple of minutes. Some really great passing, running off and on the ball, and support play made the difference. This time it was Mack making the great late pass near the corner, and Eli close in support to make the touchdown to even the score at the whistle. This of course delighted the Wigan players and their support, and so I’m told, made Eli’s dad quite emotional. Awww.

Full time: Wigan 4 Leigh 4.

A superb team display in both games, which was great to watch. The team should be particularly proud of the successful come-back in the Leigh game.

Squad:
Brad, Eli, Harry, Jacob, Joe, Joss, Kyle, Luca, Mack, Myles, Nicholas, Tom, William.

Man of the Match, for “that” equalizing try: Eli.

Mack of course was a very close 2nd.

Tries:
Myles 1
Mack 3
Eli 1

Thanks to LSH for hosting, and to their coach for reffing both games constructively.