Wigton hosted Aspatria Hornets in a cross-code charity game which proved an entertaining affair despite the weather conditions.
Hundreds of pounds were raised which will go to the British Heart Foundation in memory of Brian Armstrong – a prominent figure in both codes of the game in the county, who unfortunately passed away last season.
A great turnout of players provided some excellent rugby to an appreciative crowd.
Aspatria Hornets have just re-started their senior team this season in the Cumberland ARL and with Wigton struggling to get union fixtures, it proved a very useful run out for both teams.
The home side gave a debut to Jason Seaward, a recently arrived South African, who had some positive contributions despite his dislike of the cold weather!
From the kick-off Hornets’ strong-running forward Mark Deans was stopped in his tracks by Jonny Dodd and any thoughts of it being a low-key friendly were quickly put to bed.
Both teams displayed strong defence through the middle, but the Greens realised if they moved the ball wide into space and attacked the edges, that’s where they held an advantage.
Through good attacking patterns being organised by half backs Billy Stafford and Cory Bouch, Wigton scored some excellent tries and following good defence Charlie Bell intercepted on his own try line and raced away for a full length of the field effort for a highlight score.
The final score was 48-14 to Wigton, but this was harsh on the Hornets, as good defence denied them twice on the try line when a score looked certain.
Wigton were more clinical in their finishing and their young lads on show continue to improve with game time.
Thanks were expressed to Richard Benson (Brookside Garage) for sponsoring the game and Paul Harrison (Harrison’s Butchers) for also sponsoring and organising the fundraising efforts.
