Wigton Colts wrapped up a successful period for the club’s youngsters with a friendly against Preston Grasshoppers at Lowmoor Road.
Preston were unbeaten this season coming into the game, but Wigton triumphed 34-19 to mark their last game together for the under-18s.
In their time together the Colts appeared in three consecutive Cumbria Cup finals from 2022 to 2024, sharing one with St Benedict’s, losing to Kirkby Lonsdale and defeating Ospreys.
And this season they finished joint top of the Typhoon League for Colts teams, sharing the championship with Darlington.
The Colts team has been a shining light for the Wigton club for several years under coaches Tane Manihera and John Armstrong.
A number of players are aiming to play for the first team next season – several made their debuts this year – and fullback/centre Alfie Warwick has earned a professional contract with Newcastle Falcons.
On Saturday against Preston, Wigton put in an outstanding attacking performance, putting together 21 consecutive phases of play at one point, to end their time together in youth rugby with a flourish.
The first try was scored by Fraser Williamson. Having started the game at full back, he moved to scrum half following an injury to Jayden Johnston.
At a ruck, Williamson dummied one defender and dived past another to cross the line.
After Preston levelled up at 5-5, Wigton retook the lead when Flynn Manihera intercepted a pass near the halfway line to touch down under the posts, converting his try for a 12-5 lead.
From a Preston drop out came an incredible try. Alfie Warwick, starting at centre, showed why Newcastle Falcons have signed him.
Taking the ball around 40 yards out, he beat defender after defender in a dizzying run to touch down for a 17-5 half time lead.
Preston fought back to trail 17-14, before Wigton took control again. Camped on the Preston line, centre Marcus Hamilton dived over for the five points to make it 24-14.
Preston scored again for 24-19 before Wigton guest – Osprey’s Ashton Quigley – got on the scoresheet.
Powerful work by the forwards ended with an offload by captain Alfie Deans to forward Will Butler, who was tackled just short of the try line. The ball was quickly recycled with Quigley powering over for 29-19.
The next try came less than a minute later. Straight from kick off, forward Ernest Bordenave caught the ball, stepped the Preston winger and evaded several tackles, before offloading to Rory Irvine who ran in from 30 yards out, for a final score of 34-19.
On Sunday, the Colts held their presentation night.
The awards went to: Most Improved – Jayden Lidgey; Spirit of Rugby – Alfie Deans; Coaches’ Player of the Year – Flynn Manihera; Players’ Player of the Year – Ernest Bordenave; Supporters’ Player of the Year – Fraser Williamson; Top Trainer – Ellis Holliday.
And at the Wigton first team awards on the same evening, 18-year-old Fraser Williamson was named Young Player of the Year following 15 appearances for the Lowmoor Club this season in the Regional 2 North league, mostly at full-back.
