HAWCOAT PARK 19

WIGTON 28
UNBEATEN table toppers Wigton were the visitors to Hawcoat Park on a typical damp dark November afternoon.

They had already demonstrated what a good young fit well-drilled side they were in the 64-10 defeat in the reverse fixture on the first day of the season in September.
However Wigton knew they were in a much harder game this time round as the maroon and whites put in a committed effort to try and be the first team to dent Wigton's promotion bid.
Park captain and scrum-half Jack Shannon had to drop out on the morning of the game through illness resulting in stalwart back row Brad Morrow putting his hand up to play out of position.
Wigton drew first blood as their powerful second row forced his way over near the sticks for a converted try 0-7.
The hosts remained on the back foot as Wigton continued to crank up the pressure.

It came as no surprise when Wigton doubled their advantage on 10 minutes with a converted try 0-14.

Sayle brothers Rory and Matt along with pack leader Mike Lightfoot worked hard to try to get Park back into the game.

But just when it was looking like the Cumbrians would get something disaster struck when the ball suspiciously came loose.

Wigton snapped up the loose ball and with good inter passing beat the desperate cover defence on a 60 metre move up the right wing resulting in their fly-half finishing off the move under the posts for another converted try 0-21.

As half-time approached, Rory Sayle and Mike Lightfoot were doing well in the line-outs.

Park chose to go for a scrum when a penalty was awarded, and when Wigton infringed to prevent the push over referee Roger Moffat awarded a penalty try. Half-time 7 - 21.
The second half started as a much more even contest than the first as both teams tested each other out.

It was felt if Park could get the next score they would have a good chance to cause an upset.

A good run by full-back Alex Brown was snuffed out and 15 minutes into the half it was Wigton who stretched their lead with a bonus point earning try.

Their second row ran strongly albeit through some tired defence to score again, and the try was converted 7-28.
The remainder of the game was all the maroon and whites as they gave Wigton a bit of a fright with a determined effort enjoyed by the home supporters.

From a good spell of pressure and another solid scrum good handling by Brad Morrow and captain Dan Lightfoot put centre Chris Burns into a gap and he ran strongly to finish out wide.

Lightfoot used the wind to good effect to slot over the conversion 14-28.

The final try again went to Chris Burns this time following good combined runs by Mike Lightfoot and  Doughtey, it was Dan Lightfoot who put in a deft kick as the Wigton back line came up fast and Burns ran through to touch down on the perfectly weighted kick. The conversion was just missed.
Park tried in ever decreasing conditions but there was just not the time to find a fourth try which would of resulted in two league points for four try’s and a loss of seven points or below.