A 57-17 defeat at Morpeth represented a decent performance from Wigton despite the scoreline suggesting otherwise.
It did not help that the Morpeth kicker was on song, converting seven of the eight tries to widen the score.
The game started in perfect conditions and for the first 15 minutes it was played in the middle of the field without either side gaining an advantage.
That changed when Wigton spilled the ball forward and from the resulting scrum Morpeth made a break out wide and the scrambling defence was penalised for a high tackle.
From the resulting kick for touch, Morpeth caught the line-out and drove Wigton over to score a converted try.
Wigton then got turned over on the half way line, and when Morpeth kicked ahead their winger won the foot race and it was 14-0.
This looked ominous but Wigton then started playing field position and dominated the last 20 minutes of the half, scoring a try through John Swainson and going close on several occasions. Armstrong kicked a penalty to leave them trailing 14-10 at half time.
That was more like it and there was the prospect of a competitive game.
Morpeth had other ideas and Wigton hardly touched the ball or gained field position for the next 25 minutes. Morpeth scored out wide on several occasions and the kicker converted from the touchlines.
Wigton never gave up and scored a try through Jonny Dodd, converted by Eddy Miller.
Then on the last play of the game, following a period of heavy pressure on the Morpeth line the Wigton forwards were held up and the referee blew his whistle to end the game.
This was a stark reminder that at this level mistakes will be punished.
It doesn’t get any easier this week as the Greens host unbeaten league leaders Northern to Lowmoor Road at 3pm, with the second team hosting Tynedale 3s with a 2pm start.
