Wigton couldn’t find any outside opposition so staged a State of Origin-style match at the club’s Lowmoor Road.
Coach David Warwick was looking for a game to keep the match-rusty Greens in some sort of shape for next Saturday’s Papa John’s Cup game at home to Wetherby.
Their opponents finished second by a point in Yorkshire 1 behind Bradford Salem but were told this week that they will be promoted along with the champions next season.
“It’s going to be a tough game for us because they will be a decent side and we have had little match practice of late but we are looking forward to it,” said Warwick.
The Wigton players bought into the Origin concept and it proved a very competitive game well refereed by Jonny Watson.
Playing into a strong wind the Townies kept the ball in hand and tested the Villagers defence out wide, but Lee Elliot pulled off some great tackles to snuff out the attack.
After a couple of quickly taken tap penalties Richard Jackson crashed over out side to put the Townies ahead but the conversion attempt was missed.
From the re-start the Villagers went on the attack and were unlucky not to be awarded a try when Ryan Armstrong bulldozed his way under the posts. The referee was unsighted and by the time he got a view the experienced Ryan Wannop had sneaked an arm under the ball.
Held-up and a drop-out from under the sticks was the subsequent decision.
The game was keenly fought in the middle of thre field and with the weather conditions worsening the Townies pack started to make inroads. Following a series of carries Kieran Armstrong went over for a second unconverted try.
Just before half-time the Villagers hit back. Phil Potts ran a great line off centre Joe Marrs to score under the posts. Ali Gaitskill landed the conversion to leave the Villagers trailing 10-7 at the interval.
From the re-start strong running from Matty Harrison saw him burst through several tackles to go in under the posts with Gaitskill successful with the conversion to put the Villagers 14-10 ahead.
Great defensive work from Jonny Dodd inspired his team and they dug in to protect their lead.
The next score would prove crucial and the Townies secured it with Charlie Bell showing great speed to go over but, the conversion was missed.
The last 15 minutes saw the introduction of evergreen Tane Manihera to partner Theo Manihera at half back with the pair combining well to launch several attacks on the Villagers try line.
From one of these Theo Manihera dummied and stepped his way over to score the final try and seal the win 20-14.
It was a very useful workout for the Lowmoor Road squad who now turn their attention to the visit of Wetherby on Saturday (3pm).
