Memories of the past were rekindled as Wigan entertained Orrell on a beautiful autumn day at Douglas Valley. Important as the result might have been the spirit of rugby was the winner as officials and past players of both clubs enjoyed lunch together and renewed old friendships.
On the pitch Wigan were first out of the blocks as Sam Gee ripped through the Orrell defence and Wigan were held just short. This set the pattern for the 1st quarter as Wigan piled on the pressure and with 7 minutes gone Gee's grubber was gathered by Jon Hogarth who touched down. 5 minutes later it was Gee again, combining with Mike Rigby, to take play close to the Orrell line. As the latter infringed Steve Peacock took a quick tap and sent Wayne Bullough over. Andy Whittle's conversion extended the margin to 12 points.
From this point the game degenerated into something of a stalemate as Orrell fought tenaciously at the breakdown. Just before the break Hogarth was held just short but there was little else to cheer about.
The second half continued in the same vein until Whittle broke blind and put hooker, John Hodgkinson, over in the corner. Any thoughts that this might lead to a bonus point were soon dispelled as Orrell stubbornly refused to capitulate. It was the latter who completed the scoring with an interception try by Neil Kerfoot after 26 minutes and though Wigan continued to probe the fourth try eluded them.