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In the rematch between members of the derby rivals� on-line message boards, the Wigan fans overcame the Saints fans 26-22 at Wigan St Judes ARLFC on Sunday 7th September. It was sweet revenge for Wigan after their 32-26 loss at the hands of Saints back in July.
The weather was kind to us on the day. Nice and sunny which is a rarity in Wigan. Come 3pm the players were ready to go. Wigan wore an old Warriors away strip, Saints wore old pilks jerseys. It was time to see if all hype the match was given would enable it to live upto expectations.
Last time the Web Warriorss played back in July they looked nervous at the start and took quite a while to get a grip of the game. Not this time though. Saints team kicked off and it went out on the full, so Wigan had the ball first. Saints soon gained posession, only to be met by some big hits by the Wigan lads. It was going to be a good game!
Saints like last time took first blood in this game. A penalty was awarded which they slotted over for a 2-0 lead but unlike last time when Saints were allowed to build up a huge 26-0 lead, the Wigan lads game straight back with a try. Stu crashed over to give Wigan a 4-2 lead. The conversion was missed by Knighty.
4-2 suddenly became 10-2 as Dunny when over for a try, which he converted himself. Then just after that a penalty was awarded, which took the score to 12-2 to "The Web Warriors".
At this point, all was going very well indeed for Wigan. 12-2 up and Wigan he managed to keep the Saints attacks at bay. But Saints all of a sudden hit back. Wigan had gone into cruise control at 12-2, until Saints made it 12-8 thanks to a try from Si. Suddenly Wigan realised there was a game on.
Wigan did not let the try get to them. They came straight back with a great response through Wardy, who was standing in as captain for Alex who couldn't play due to an injury he picked up in the 32-26 defeat at City Road in St Helens. The try however was not converted by Dunny, Saints were still in it!
With a 16-8 led the key message for Wigan at this stage in the game was to get to the break without conceding. That didn't happen though as Saints went over for a converted try just before half time, making the score after 40 minutes, 16-14 to Wigan, a scoreline Saints were more than happy with after a less than satisfactory display.
Second half began and the Wigan Web Warriors scored first through Dunny, who went over for his second try of the game. The try was not converted though and the scoreline at this point was 20-14 to Wigan.
After a good spell of defence by both sides, Saints then scored two quick tries to take the lead for the first time in the game. Thankfully from a Wigan point of view neither try was converted but Saints now led 22-20.
Again the Wigan team showed great morlae, and the fact that they had gone behind for the first time since the opening minutes of the game, seemed not to get to them. With 10 minutes to go, Wigan went on the attack down the right, only to be held up just short after some excelent tackling by Saints. The Wigan team quickly played the ball across to the left, only to find a three man overlap on the left. Stu though didn't need his two supporting players and went over for his second try of the game. Dunny converted and Wigan were back in the lead at 26-22.
Then, with less than a minute remaining, came the most controversial moment of the game. Saints were pressing the Wigan line in the final minute, and the Saints skipper nicknamed "The V man" pulled up with a calf injury.
I'll let him, himself describe his view of the incident. He said: I ran the ball in, my calf cramped up good style and went rock hard, so i just fell down unable to run and the cheating little git (thats referee to you and me) gives a penalty for a voluntary tackle when we had a good 4 tackles left 5 yards from the Wigan line with a couple of minutes to go. What exactly did he expect me to me to do? I couldn't walk at that moment let alone run so there wasn't much choice."
Anyway, the ref gave Wigan the penalty for the "voluntary tackle" Dunny kicked to touch, then Wigan proceded to kick the ball upfield on the last tackle, thus keeping Saints penned down in their own quarter. Saints tried a desperate kick and chase from deep in their own half on the last tackle, and after the 80 but it was too little, too late and Wigan held on for a well deserved 26-22 victory.
After the game Wigan's prop forward, Dunny was awarded the Man of the Match trophy, for his two tries and three goals.
Great performance in the end. With both sides now having won a game each, a third contest is in the pipeline but that will probably have to wait till next summer now due to other comitments from players of either team.
Finally thanks to anyone who came to support the lads on the day. A great attendance turned up, I'm sure the lads appreciated it.
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