May I apologise if any of this report is in any way inaccurate, but having returned to the ancient methodology of trying to write everything down while at the same time attempting to create a photographic record of the event I find that my notes are somewhat garbled and, frankly, illegible. Hence a verbatim transcript would read "SPnaglif fretszy spondu Jde qkbrkw dwWnth wng Grztyu Try". Never-the-less I will attempt to make some sense of my scribblings.
Well, overall, it was an entertaining if somewhat diffident game with both sides suffering from a bit of the post holiday lethargy. And no, Jayne, there were no fights, largely due to some stout referreeing from our man in the pink lurex disco shorts, Mr Morgan, who curtailed Wigan's penchant for the high tackle very robustly.
And, overall, the lads played reasonably well even if some of the passing could have been a bit more precise and some of the tackling a bit more effective. Wigan are a potentialy dangerous team with a couple of good runners and they could have worked us a bit harder if, as one of their coaches commented, their forwards had turned up. Indeed it was up front where we had the real advantage. Strong rucking from Sams W and M, Riley and Zack gave us plenty of quick ball both from set pieces and the loose and enough opportunities to dominate the opposition. And we are a team who take opportunities...
Scoring was opened after 5 minutes or so by Jude L who broke through from the loose to make a typically darting run to the line. He was followed soon afterwards by Ed, who played a pretty impressive game throughout - including one spell on the wing! - who was the end recipient of a fine take of a high ball by Henry and then stormed the length of the pitch to score.
Wigan didn't falter though. Either their defence was strong or our attack was weak but they kept us away from their lines, eventually breaking out of their half and following a badly missed tackle (yes, you, Mr Dunn) after a 5 yard scrum getting their first score. Never have our lads let such a set back demoralise them and very soon Rorio was heading at speed for their line. He knocked on in the tackle just before he could touch down but fortunately the tackle was adjudged high and a penalty try was awarded. Shortly afterwards Ted made another powerful break down the left wing to score his second. Half time and 4-1 to us.
Second half and we start to dominate. Ball is getting out to the backs quickly with a good half pairing of Jack D and Jude S (playing his usual competent game at number 10). First blood after about 5 minutes to the ever impressive Leo who gallops over the line after being the end recipient of quick ball from a line out. Wigan are still fighting back and drive us towards our line but we break through again. The ball gets out to Leo again who races for the corner with Jack D, who ran excellent support throughout the game, on his shoulder. Leo crosses the line but generously hands the ball to Jack for the touch down. There's another quick response from the restart. A great break from Jude L gets the ball to an effervescent Joe E who jinks through to score our 7th. We're in charge now and Leo gathers from the kick off to head down to the left corner, Nathan and others in support. Wigan can't stop him. Try number 8. The next move is probably the best non-try of the match. Jude S beats one?, two? no! Nine Wigan players only to be tackled on the line. Sad!
Wigan finally respond and use their runners to break thorugh for their well deserved second. But, as always we come back. A typically good run from Nathan - not used as much as he ought to have been - gets the ball to Harthill J., as always the top tackler, who touches down in the corner, followed by another quick score from the restart from Leo. Game's nearly over now but Wigan, to their credit, come back for a consolation try. That's all folks!. Result 10 - 3 to Warrington.
More mentions. Rhys did a fine job at hooker, KB was a redoubtable Juggernaut and had a couple of his typical bullocking runs. Quinn and Will both gave their all - Will in particular was unlucky not to get on the score sheet. Apologies if I've missed anyone
In the end it was a good morning's rugby, if not the best morning's rugby, but a good result none the less. And no fighting.!