Ince Rose Bridge, open age

Ince Rose Bridge first team sit proudly at the top of the premier league after a comprehensive 48-8 home victory over local rivals Wigan St Patricks.

As early as the fourth minute Ince Rose Bridge were on the score sheet with a Wayne Leyland try in the corner when scrum half Tony Baker passed a smart ball which split the Wigan St Patricks defence wide open. From the touch line Kenny Baker added the extras.

Seven minutes later Ince Rose Bridge increased their lead when on the last tackle the ball was passed out wide by Tony Baker to centre Wayne Leyland and at just the right moment he slipped the ball to his winger Matt Cunningham who dove over the try line to score out wide. From the touch line Kenny Baker made the score 12-0.

On twenty five minutes Ince Rose Bridge went further ahead when straight from the scrum the ball went to the Ince Rose Bridge full back Martin Packingham who passed a forty metre ball straight to his winger Matt Cunningham who had acres of space to score his second try of the game.

Six minutes later and with Ince Rose Bridge dominating play the ball went to man of the match Tony Baker who evaded two tackles to bob and weave his way under the posts to make it 20-0. Once again Kenny Baker kicked the conversion.

With three minutes of the half remaining Wigan St Patricks tried to clear their line only to have the ball pinched in a one on one situation which resulted in a converted try for Kenny Baker.

Six minutes into the second half Wigan St Patricks were on the score sheet when a pass inside from Declan McLoughlin found Marlon Alker who scored from short range.

Four minutes later Wigan St Patricks scored their second try of the game when quick hands found winger Anthony Hughes who raced thirty metres to score in the corner.

On fifty six minutes Ince Rose Bridge were awarded a penalty and from a quick tap the ball went to full back Martin Packingham who gave a great pass to his winger Nathan Penny who rounded his opposite winger to score in the corner.

With Ince Rose Bridge in total control a long pass from Tony Baker to his centre Wayne Leyland who drew the Wigan St Patrick’s full back and passed the ball to his winger Matt Cunningham who completed his hatrick. From the boot Kenny Baker made it 38-8.

A minute later Ince Rose Bridge produced the try of the match when on the last tackle the ball went from one side of the field to the other involving no fewer than seven players which resulted in a 2nd try for winger Nathan Penny.

With only two minutes of the match remaining a twenty metre break from the Ince Rose Bridge prop forward Scott Winstanley was well backed up by winger Danny Robbins and with only the full back to beat he returned the pass to Scott Winstanley who touched down just wide of the posts. Kenny Baker completed the rout with the conversion attempt.


Ince Rose Bridge 2nd team were desperately unlucky to lose 32-26 in the quarter finals of the war of the rose’s competition away to a good Leigh East side.

Try scorers for Ince Rose Bridge were Gaz Jones 2, Adam Dwyer 1, Jimmy Highton 1 and John Turner 1. Adam Dwyer kicked three goals and was awarded man of the match.


Next week the first team is away to East Hull with a 2:30pm kick off.