Wigan faced Manchester Medics in their inaugural game of the new Lancashire League setup. The medics draw much of their squad from the local universities which leads to a cosmopolitan squad with players with experience of rugby all around the world.

Both sides approached the new season with optimism and expectation that they will be competing at the top end of Division 1 and it proved to be an arm wrestle of a match with both sides defending diligently and efficiently.

With almost a quarter of the match gone it was Wigan who drew first blood. Mikey Bristow making a break down the right wing and kicking through before being cynically taken out after the ball had gone. The resulting penalty was converted by Sam Gee to give the home side a 3 nil lead.

Moments later Wigan found themselves on the back foot and some good attacking play led to a Wigan man being called for offside. Medics kicked the penalty and levelled the game at 3 all which is how it lasted until the half.

From the restart it was Medics who went into the ascendancy, building well with a series of phases before their half back made a break on the 22, stepping his man and then forcing his way over for the opening try. Having missed the conversion the score was 3-8.

Wigan regrouped and fought their way back into the game. Sione Afu displayed his dominance in the middle of the park with a barnstorming break that put the medics on the back foot. Good hands from Gee and Matthews created space for Sammy Makinson to finish well in the corner. Sam Gee made the difficult conversion from the left touch line to give the home side a 10-8 lead.

The game progressed in similar fashion to the first half with neither side able to breach the defensive walls. Medics came closest when a drive for the line was stopped by some foul play from Wigan, who could feel lucky not to have a man sent to the sin bin as a result. Medics kicked the penalty to take a narrow 10-11 lead.

With 20 minutes still remaining it was Wigan’s turn to punish a lapse in discipline. Medics conceded the penalty within kicking range and Sam Gee put it over the sticks to give a 13-11 lead which Wigan defended until the final whistle.

Final score 13-11