Missing a number of key players Wigan gave debuts to new recruits Ryan Woolfenden and Charlie Rickard and welcomed back from injury the tenacious George Guest. With the added complication of two late withdrawals Wigan took to the field with 14 players, a number playing in unfamiliar roles, against a confident sounding Bury 15, supplemented by a number of replacements to call upon.

Following a well observed Remembrance Sunday minutes silence Wigan started confidently, taking the game to the opposition and quickly establishing territorial advantage. It was however Bury who scored first, taking advantage of some uncharacteristic lacklustre defence to cross under the posts. 7 – 0

Wigan’s response was almost immediate when from a clean line out, following a crunching tackle from Captain Harry Moxham from the restart, debutant Woolfenden carried powerfully and outpaced the Bury defence to cross by the posts, Danny Goulbourne adding the extras. 7 – 7
With their tails up Wigan attacked again and soon took the lead when from a quickly taken penalty it was Woolfenden again forcing his way over to give Goulbourne an easy conversion. 7 -14

Wigan were now on the front foot, forwards and backs retaining and recycling the ball to good effect and showing glimpses of the attacking skills they possess. Completely against the run of play it was Bury next on the scoreboard, assisted somewhat by a series of penalties which saw Wigan’s territorial advantage eroded. Worse was to come for the visitors when a penalty for what seemed a perfect turn over at the ruck was harshly penalised, then the quickly taken tap cruelly punished for not retreating 10m with a penalty try. For once Wigan’s discipline wasn’t in question yet they found themselves trailing in a game they were in control of. 21 – 14

Undeterred Wigan were soon back on the attack and the influential Moxham showed off his kicking skills to chip ahead for winger Rickard to pounce in the corner. A great Goulbourne conversation from a difficult angle restored parity as half time arrived. Bury 21 – 21 Wigan
With the basic instructions to play in the opposition half and make first tackles count, Wigan quickly took the lead they wouldn’t relinquish when the impressive Woolfenden picked up from the base of a scrum just inside Bury territory and powered over for a debut hat-trick of tries. Goulbourne converting again. 21 - 28

Wigan were now well on top in both attack and defence, comfortably dealing with any threat Bury carried despite conceding a numerical advantage to the hosts. Their lead was extended when excellent hands across the backline from left to right saw Gouldbourne cross, the try scorer hitting the post and crossbar with his first failed attempt at goal in the game. 21 – 33

Bury’s resolve was finally broken with two tries in as many minutes when following pressure on the home side’s attempt to run the ball, Jak Fairbrother latched onto a loose ball to cross in the left hand corner. From the restart Woolfenden turned provider when his half break saw Brad Ryder in support who managed to evade both the despairing attempt from the full back to halt his dash to the line and a sneaky attempted trip from the chasing defender that the Wigan 10 did well not to react to. 21 – 45

The team’s focus was now on stopping the home side registering a second half score which they did with some stout defence and one memorable full on hit from Fairbrother, stopping a would be attacker firmly in his tracks. It was nothing more than Wigan deserved when in the final minute another excellent cross kick from Moxham was collected on the full by Fairbrother who crossed for his second of the game to bring up a half century of points and more impressively a second half 29 – 0 demolition of the home side.

Final Score : Bury Senior Colts 21 – 50 Wigan RUFC Senior Colts

The performance had so much positivity it is difficult to adequately put into words what the traveling spectators, and indeed the home crowd witnessed. To keep things together despite going behind with the help of a one sided penalty count mid-way in the first half was testament to Wigan’s discipline, determination and self-belief. Executing a simple but ultimately hugely effective second half game plan and seeing the points rack up whilst limiting the home 15 to living off scraps was pleasing to say the least.

The foundation was laid by the solid front row, ably assisted by the new 2nd row combination of Georges Lawless & Guest, which allowed the backrow duo of Moxham & Woolfenden run amok at will, creating and scoring chances a plenty. Danny Goulbourne was assured at full back, the back line well marshalled by Ryder and both wingers finishing chances impressively – Furby with a well taken brace and Charlie Rickard capping an encouraging debut with a try.

An all-round positive afternoon’s work and cracking entertainment value. Next week’s home fixture with Eccles will no doubt be a much tougher assignment and we must build on today with good commitment to both training and match day.

David Porter

Wigan RUFC

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