Garstang 0 - 27 Wigan

In the ADM Lancashire and Cheshire League, second placed Wigan travelled to third placed Garstang in what was a vital game for both clubs as they looked to keep up the chase on leaders, Thornton Cleveleys.

Credit must be given to the Garstang ground staff, having to prepare a pitch on a flood relief scheme for the river Wyre, meaning the pitch was under water just 6 days previously. That said, the pitch was a quagmire and there was some concern that the standing water might lead to an abandonment due to player safety concerns.

The rallying cry from Head Coach, Martin Scott, was to get into them early and ensure a good start, something that has been lacking from recent displays as Wigan have become habitual kings of the comeback. Nathan Butler took heed and with his first touch of the ball, fielding the ball at fullback, he set off at pace. Butler stepped inside the chasing defenders before switching the play back out towards the right flank where he found Jack Proffitt in space on halfway. Proffitt pinned his ears back and won the chase to line and dived over in the corner for the opening score after just 2 minutes.

Wigan maintained pressure on the home side and this time it was second row Adam Pierce who opened up the defence. The rangy second row set off towards the defensive line in midfield, who were surely expecting another big ‘hit-up’, but Pierce showed a touch a class, instead firing a fine 20 yard pass out to Will Boardman on the wing. Boardman got bogged down in the mud but managed to hold the ball up long enough to offload to Chris Carr, who overlapped his man and set off down the left wing for Wigan’s second try of the day.

With Wigan in the ascendancy, a penalty was awarded on the edge of the Garstang 22 yard line. Jacob Dugdale took an enterprising quick tap before being hauled down. A series of tight rucks ensued before Dugdale took the ball on again, this time breaking free and finding Jack Proffitt on the right wing who finished in the corner to give Wigan a 0-15 lead going into the half time break.

Wigan restarted the game in much the same fashion, just moments into the second half they found themselves in possession on the edge of the Garstang 22. Chris Carr took the ball into the 22 down the right-hand side before putting Jack Proffitt over in the tightest of spaces, for his hat trick.

With the bonus point in the bag, Wigan set about holding on to what they had already achieved and with Garstang rallying it was now more about making sure they didn’t let the opposition back into the game. A stoic defensive effort kept the home side out as the game remained scoreless for the next half an hour.

With just 5 minutes to go, Joss Parker made a break through the middle which left the defence scrambling. He stood up his man at fullback before releasing Dugdale to score from around the 22-yard line. Parker added the conversion and Wigan went home with a 0-27 victory and the bonus point for scoring 4 tries.

Wigan welcome Thornton Cleveleys to Douglas Valley this weekend in a mouth-watering top of the table clash which could prove decisive in determining which way the league title will go. Kick off is scheduled for 2.15pm this Saturday 2nd February.