The Cumbria rugby union programme got underway last night under the Winters Park floodlights.
Penrith 2nds took on Wigton in Counties 1 Cumbria and came from behind to win a thriller 35-31.
Overall it was an entertaining game, enjoyed by a good crowd. Wigton will rue lots of missed opportunities but a young Penrith side showed resilience which pulled them through in the end.
Wigton had started brightly and put together some good phases with Penrith scrambling well in defence.
The first score came after ten minutes when, after good off-loading in the tackle, Cory Bouch dived over in the corner and landed a fine touchline conversion.
Minutes later full-back James Paisley, tidied-up a loose kick and evaded the defence to score a well-taken second try for Wigton which Bough again converted.
The Greens had numerous chances to score again but either wrong options or spilled passes cost them, while some superb last ditch tackling from Penrith kept their line intact.
This period would prove pivotal in the game and before half-time Wigton were penalised for numerous high tackles and ill discipline with Stephen Harris shown a yellow card.
Penrith then started to gain good possession and field position and from a fine break by Ashton Hook he scored a try which was converted by Ed Smith.
With a half-time lead of 14-7 Wigton re-started strongly and Matty Harrison produced a powerful run to score Wigton’s third try.
The visitors then became the masters of their own downfall by gifting the first of two interception tries to Will Morgan.
However Wigton did respond as they went straight up the field from the kick-off and scored a try through the returned Harris, which Bouch converted.
The game continued at pace with both sides looking to pass the ball around.
It was Penrith who struck first with a try close to the ruck from Adam Pate and quickly added another through Richie Dadley from another interception.
Wigton responded quickly and following good work by centre Joe Marrs they scored a try through Elliott Armstrong, although Bouch’s conversion attempt came back off the post.
Pate got a second try from Pate, converted by Carl Ryder to move within two points.
Then in the final minutes of the game more ill-discipline issues cost Wigton as Penrith won it with two penalties from Ryder.
