Match Report

BARLA NATIONAL CUP SEMI FINAL

WIGAN ST PATRICKS 19 STANLEY RANGERS U18 20

16th March 2003

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.

Match Photos

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Thanks to Stan the photographer.