Not sure where to start with this one ...........................

Wigan Under 14's travelled to Warrington in a very optimistic frame of mind (despite missing three key players) for this eagerly awaited fixture against local rivals Warrington - but the Wigan lads never really turned up at all.

From the first whistle to the last Wigan were outplayed in every department - not individually (there were no glaring errors that led to trys) - but as a team. Man for man Wigan can match anything Warrington have but, where we fell alarmingley short was in team work - which is really disappointing given the excellent efforts in training. Every try from a Warrington point of view can be put down to outstanding team work.

Warrington used their kicking game to great effect - the kicks were precise and the whole Warrington team chased them down, whilst the Wigan team stood and watched - leaving Will totally exposed with no where to go. When Wigan kicked - no one chased leaving the Warrington full back with space and support to return the ball with interest.

Warrington were first to every breakdown - turning over ball after ball while the Wigan team stood and watched - so time and again a Wigan move would end with the Wigan player being left isolated and Warrington on the front foot.

The Warrington backline moved up with pace meaning they could tackle the Wigan players before they started to get any momentum, yet despite us working on a similar approach for the last few weeks in training - the Wigan back line did the exact opposite - waiting for the Warrington players to come to them.

Make no mistake - Warrington performed exceptionally well, but i see our lads enough, week in week out, to know that if we had brought our 'A' game we could have matched Warrington in what should have been a very close contest - and that's what disappoints.

I said to everyone after the game - we all need to reflect on this - coaches and players alike and address the issue of 'team'

Lets make sure that from this point forwards we stop relying on individuals and start: Communicating, working together as a defensive line, supporting the runner with the ball, chasing down kicks with determination - in short playing a team sport as a team. If we do this we are a match for anyone - and i believe we can and will achieve this season.

Heads up lads, no point dwelling on the past, we play for fun so lets learn from this and move on together for what will be a great season ahead.

Many thanks to Warrington who were outstanding hosts before, during and after the game. Lets hope next time we can give you a better game.

Wigan RUFC

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