West Park 57 - 14 Wigan

Wigan started life in the ADM Premier Division with a difficult away trip to title contenders West Park (St Helens). It was to prove a difficult test as the home side proved they had fared better over the summer break and Wigan’s rustiness became their undoing.

Despite the odds, Wigan opened the scoring and gave the away following some hope. Sam Gee, at scrum half, took the ball 20 yards after going himself from the base of a ruck only to be stopped short of the line. The Wigan pack arrived in numbers and Captain, Lee Scully, was able to take the ball over the line. Ethan Jukes added the conversion.

Wigan were caught napping when West Park countered straight from the kick off. Some good hands in broken field undid the Wigan defence as West Park went in down the left touchline to level the scores.

The first half became a battle of attrition as West Park dominated possession and territory, spending much of the half camped in the Wigan 22. It was sheer determination and doggedness that kept Wigan in the fight as they repelled each attack in turn. The deadlock was broken with just moments remaining in the half as Wigan were penalised for offside giving West Park a 10-7 lead. With half time looming, Wigan’s set piece deserted them as a scrappy lineout was collected by the West Park pack. The ball was recycled well and some good interplay saw the St. Helens side go down the right touchline for the score. 17-7 at the half.

As the half resumed, broken field was to undo Wigan once again. A Wigan clearance was given a poor chase and the talented West Park backline ran it straight back and scored down the left. 24-7

With the game entering its final quarter, West Park’s superior fitness and squad depth paid dividends. A series of scores took the home side’s score to 57 whilst Wigan could only add a consolation try, Connor Matthews making a break through the middle to go over unopposed. Adam Dwyer added the conversion and the game ended 57-14.

Wigan’s next opponents will be Liverpool St Helens at Douglas Valley this coming Saturday 21st September with kick off scheduled for 3pm.