Wigan travelled to North Cheshire, this weekend, to face Didsbury Toc H in the latest round of the ADM Lancs/Cheshire Division 1. With the sides firmly entrenched in mid table, it was a game where the points were up for grabs for either side.
Didsbury opened the scoring just 3 minutes in with a penalty that was awarded for Wigan indiscipline at the ruck. The 3 points eagerly taken as the home side looked to gain a foothold on the scoreboard.
Wigan hit back on the 10 minute mark as Logan Astley grubbered the ball through in the Didsbury 22 and Will Morgan was quickest to the loose ball and grounded the ball for the score and a 3-5 lead.
Wigan’s disciplinary issues continued as a penalty was awarded for a high tackle, that was well within range and Didsbury retook the lead at 6-5.
Another penalty was awarded just inside the Wigan half and some loose lips caused the referee to march the Wigan side back another 10 metres which made the kick at goal all the more achievable and added to the home side’s lead at 9-5.
On the 20 minute mark, Didsbury were working their way up field when a loose pass was spilled. Harry Barker pounced and hacked the ball through before chasing his own kick and diving onto the loose ball in goal. Joss Parker added the extras for a 9-12 lead.
Wigan were looking strong now and took advantage of an attacking scrum on the half way mark. Tom Seabrook took the ball blind from the number 8 position and found Parker on his outside. Parker made ground before setting his man and putting Will Morgan away down the right wing. Deft footwork saw Morgan go round his man before being held up by the Didsbury fullback. Morgan showed good strength to stay on his feet and offload the ball to Seabrook who dived over from 5 yards for a 9-17 scoreline.
Didsbury worked the ball upfield and got close to the Wigan line. A series of short balls saw the ball taken over, on the stroke of half time for a 14-17 scoreline at the break.
Injuries now started to take their toll on the Wigan backline as both Parker and Astley were taken off with knocks. Didsbury seized their opportunity to turn the screw and Wigan were under pressure. A series of penalties saw the visitors get pushed back before Didsbury ran the ball in from 20 yards.
Wigan really struggled to get the backline firing for the rest of the game and it was Didsbury who now did the bulk of the running. The final score of the game came from a bounce pass that was picked up by the Didsbury right wing who dived over in the corner for a final score of 26-17.