Wallsend are sent packing as Wigton ease through in Vase
Last updated 11:51, Monday, 20 October 2008
THERE was satisfaction and disappointment in equal measures at Lowmoor Road in the EDF Energy Senior Vase competition.
For while Wigton powered through to the third round with a 32-5 win over Wallsend, the second team – the Wanderers – got through by default as opponents Ashington cried-off.
But it was the manner of the cancellation which upset the Wigton club, even though they have now two teams through to the third round stage.
Coach Malcolm Brown said: “They rang up on Friday night to say they weren’t coming without any prior indication they were struggling.
“Whatever happened to rugby’s moral code. It was particularly disappointing because we had the top brass from RFU at the club for the afternoon and with two senior games lined-up it was going to be quite a day.
“What I can’t understand is that Ashington run three teams and it seems unbelievable that they couldn’t raise sufficient players to come over. Our opponents went to Hartlepool Rovers the previous week without 12 men who were at a stag do in Amsterdam.”
Wallsend, in fact, proved durable opponents and with just a 10-0 lead by half-time when they had the wind behind them Wigton might have been a little anxious at the half-time break.
But Brown said: “The young three-quarters scored the tries but the forwards, in the second half were outstanding. Prop Andrew Bell earned the sponsors man of the match and had an awesome game.
“We wondered whether ten points would be enough but although we had the worst of the weather conditions we coped really well and Wallsend didn’t get their try until the last three minutes.”
Wigton had taken the lead after eight minutes following good work by Tom Gardner and Matthew Atkinson, and it was Chris Pattinson who got over for the opening try.
Ill discipline at the break downs cost Wigton and the penalty county, at the end of the game was 20-8 against them, but that was the only blight on a very good performance.
They increased their lead after 20 minutes following good work by the forwards and it was Richard Moffat who went 200 metres for the score. Andrew Logue hit the post with the conversion attempt,
Wigton had made seven changes from the squad which won at Fleetwood and they made a couple more alterations at half-time as tactical measures. Tane Manihera joined the action at fly-half with Dave Hanabury switching to full-back.
Manihera was soon involved, orchestrating runners all around the park and although Wallsend had their moments of pressure they met stern resistance from the Wigton Wall!
It was from a deep position on his own line that Hanabury initiated the crucial third try on the hour. He made a mark, took a quick tap and made good
ground, linking with Moffat, Pattinson and Gardner to take play to within 30 metres of the Wallsend line.
From the resultant scrum the ball was moved out wide where Gardner forced his way over in the corner and Manihera landed a fine conversion.
Wigton continued to dominate and five minutes later increased their lead.
**when strong work by Atkinson and it was finished off by Hanabury. **
Logue and Hanabury set up Moffat to go 40 yards for his second try and soon afterwards it was Hanabury’s turn to finish-off, scoring his own second try.
Wallsend, to their credit, scored a consolation try near the end when Peter Hammil sent over strong-running winger Lewis Climp over.
“It was a very satisfying performance, our third win in a row but the only downside was the penalty count against us, usually from ill discipline at the breakdowns,” said Brown.
