Wigton Colts provided a thrilling encounter ahead of the first team game when they overcame a 21-point deficit at half time to defeat Durham City with a last minute drop goal.
The eventual 31-28 win was full of character and resilience which should stand them in good stead for the challenges that lay ahead this season.
A nice autumnal morning was replaced with heavy rain and a strong wind straight down the pitch just before kick-off, which carried on for the first ten minutes of the game.
Durham City used the elements in their favour and launched several deep kicks, testing the Wigton fullback Eddy Miller, who returned the kicks well, making several half breaks.
Wigton suffered a heavy defeat in their first game away at Billingham and the majority of the team are playing a year up, so when the big Durham forwards started to make some big carries, it looked ominous for the hosts.
But constantly encouraged by coach Tane Manihera they stuck to their task and came through it in the end with the exciting finale.
Durham opened the scoring from a big carry by their impressive number eight which was converted and they continued to use the wind well.
Wigton were pinned back and when they attacked from deep just couldn’t find the last pass or break the last tackle.
Another Durham score followed from a goal-line drop out, when a Durham player returned it with no one laying a hand on him.
Going in 14-0 down would have been a good effort from Wigton, playing into the wind, but right on half time, they got turned over and the Durham winger raced under the posts to increase the lead to 21-0.
This could have disheartened the young lads but they showed great resolve and within the first five minutes of the second half Alfie Warwick finished off a break by McKenzie McQuat to go over under the posts. It left Eddy Miller with a simple conversion and it gave them hope.
Unfortunately from the kick-off Wigton failed to re-gather and Durham went through several phases to score a converted try under the posts to make it a 21-points gap again
Any comeback just got a little harder but from the kick-off Durham threw an ambitious pass into the wind which was picked off by Flynn Manihera who raced away to score. Miller converted and it was game on again.
With Wigton spirits lifted they used the wind to good effect and pinned Durham back. Following a prolonged period of pressure Wigton ran a back-line move off the scrum to get the Durham defence scrambling.
The ball was moved wide to Ellis Holliday who darted over and Miller converted for 21-28 with 12 minutes left on the clock and a reinvigorated Greens team.
The game was being played solely in the Durham 22 and following several forward drives Kyle Latimer powerfully burst through the defence and carried over two defenders to score by the posts. Miller converted again to tie the scores with five minutes to go.
Wigton secured the kick-off and put the ball down into Durham’s 22 where a frantic last few minutes were played out, with the visitors unable to clear their lines due to the strong wind.
The hosts won a line-out and carried hard towards the try line and the ball was slow coming back. No-one seemed to notice Miller dropping back into the pocket to strike a 25 metre drop goal straight through the sticks to put Wigton ahead for the first time in the game.
Wigton only had to gather the kick-off and kick the ball out, but they failed to do this and Durham mounted several waves of attacks.
But the Wigton defence stood firm and they saw it through to the final whistle to register a remarkable victory.
- With numerous visits over to the North East this year the cub is actively looking for sponsorship to cover travel costs for Colts buses to away games. If anyone can help out contact the club through the various social media channels.
