This match had all the ingredients for
a classic cup tie and everyone who travelled over to Wigan
were not to be disappointed. The first 10mins both teams tested
each other out completing sets and a good kick and case game.
Stanley broke the deadlock after 12mins when King kicked a
penalty. Wigan hit back almost straight away with a quick
passing movement which resulted in a try, in the corner. Good
work by Applegarth, Cawthray and O’Neil carved out an
opening for Millington to put Cattley through to score. King
converted when Hughes found Cawthray on a blockbusting run
to the line it looked like a try was on the cards but he lost
the ball grounding it. 4-8 At half time in Stanley’s
favour. Things were looking good.
In the second half Whitehead's boot kept
the Wigan side at bay. Stanley’s forwards had done a
tremendous job in the 1st half and Wigan played a little more
rugby in the second half, finding a gap out wide to score.
Wigan struck almost straight away from a scrum to score between
the post for a converted try, to make the score 14-8 in Wigan’s
favour. Grice and Whitehead tried hard to get some forward
momentum but Wigan had their tails up and were working overtime
in defence. A kick and awkward bounce saw Wigan’s winger
score but unable to convert it made score 18-8 in their favour.
With 15mins left time was slowly running out but Stanley kept
their composure and Cattley forced his way over between the
post king converted and Stanley were given a lifeline to carry
on a 50m dash up the wing and with the fullback to beat passed
the ball inside only for the ball to be intercepted by the
Wigan scrum half who had chased back. With 3 mins left Stanley
kept the ball alive and it was B Walker who broke through
Wigan line to score wide out. King calmly kicked and converted.
Stanley were in front to the delight of the travelling supporters
18-20. Wigan just had enough time for a drop goal in what
we think someone had their sums wrong to make the final score
19-20 to Stanley
This was a thrilling match by two good teams
but Stanley will now play West Hull in the final at Robin
Park Wigan on 6th April.
We would like to thank all our travelling
supporters and hope they enjoyed the game as much as we did.
