Wigton Colts produced a thrilling team performance to topple unbeaten Durham in their latest league encounter.
It finished 45-24 and was built on teamwork, resilience, and belief.
It was played in blustery conditions and Wigton were looking to build on the previous week’s away win against the Ospreys.
What ensued was a thrilling, end-to-end match which showcased Wigton’s flair, and growing confidence.
From the opening whistle, Durham applied early pressure with powerful forward carries, but the Wigton defence was up to the task-resisting wave after wave of attacks with last-ditch tackles and determination.
With Durham pressing wide to find space, Ellis Holliday read the play superbly, intercepting a pass and sprinting 50 metres to score under the posts. Nathan Emmerson added the extras.
Momentum was now with the greens and a penalty on halfway was kicked into Durham’s 22 by Fraser Williamson.
From the ensuing full line-out, Daniel Benson found his jumper Ernest Bordenave and the pack drove forward with a classic maul, allowing Matthew Bowe to crash over for Wigton’s second try which went unconverted.
Durham responded strongly after a stern team talk.
From the restart, a handling error gave them a scrum deep in Wigton’s half.
Their forwards battered the defence and crept within five metres before Wigton turned the ball over and cleared to touch. However, Durham’s next line-out move fooled the defence, with the openside flanker breaking away to score near the posts for a conversion to follow.
Wigton weren’t fazed and Durham’s attempt to go wide once more was again punished by the ever-alert Holliday, who snatched a one-handed interception and raced in from 50 metres again. Emmerson converted.
Soon after, from a scrum on halfway, number eight Alfie Deans broke free, outpaced Durham’s back row, and dummied the winger before drawing the full-back to send Williamson under the posts.
Just before halftime, Durham capitalised on a Wigton handling error. A slick backline move saw their centre slice through for a much-needed try to trim the deficit to 26-12 at the break.
Durham started the second half fired up and scored a third try after some loose Wigton tackling, with their tireless number eight touching down out wide.
With a lead now down to nine points Wigton’s forwards took control once more, dominating the ruck and providing quick ball.
Williamson found space and released Holliday down the wing. He fed Logan Jamieson inside to score under the posts without being touched. This time Flynn Manihera landed the conversion.
The highlight of the day came soon after a moment of individual brilliance.
Manihera shaped to kick from halfway, dummied the defence, and outpaced the cover before executing a perfect chip.
He regathered just 10 metres out, and under pressure, off-loaded one-handed to Sebastian Smits, who dived over. Manihera added the conversion.
Wigton’s confidence was sky-high now. After a sharp break by Marcus Hamilton, the ball flowed beautifully through hands – Jamieson to Bowe – who dummied the fullback and raced 30 metres to score.
Durham fought to the end and were rewarded with a late penalty try, but the day belonged to Wigton.
It was one of those performances when every player contributed to a memorable win.
