St. Benedicts travelled to Wigton for their opening game of the Cumbria 1 league season.

Conditions were good and the pitch was in good condition despite the recent downpours.

Bennies kicked off and recovered possession through Fergus Baird who leapt highest to take the kick off. Bennies tested the Wigton defence with some strong running but their line held firm. Bennies were awarded a penalty for a ruck infringement which they elected to go for goal. The penalty attempt was missed but From the resulting 22m drop out Bennies again drove deep into Wigtons 22 and this time they come away with a beautifully worked try with Andrew Middleton finding full back Ryan Fisher who step his marker to go over the line. Kristian wood added the extra points to make it 7-0 to Bennies.

The try seemed to spur Wigton into life as for the next few minute they attack Bennies using there big forwards to get over the gainline but some great tackling from the forwards saw them force Wigton into touch.

On 11 minutes, Bennies conceded 2 penalties in a row and this resulted in more sustained pressure on the Bennies line, this time Wigton found a way through to score a converted try to make it 7-7.

For the next 15 minutes, Wigton had the majority of the possession and tried to break down the Bennies defence with more big runs from there forwards and backs but again some great tackling, especially from flanker Matthew Addison and Centre Reece Lancaster, kept them at bay and forced errors from Wigton giving Bennies time to clear there lines.

Bennies had little in terms of possession during the back of the first half but with the ball they got, little handling errors or lapses in concentration seen them turn the ball over. On one occasion with half an hour gone, lively scrum half Aiden Pirie, made a great break down the wing and chipped again looking certain to score but the Wigton Full Back tripped him resulting in a penalty and a yellow card for the Wigton player. Bennies went for the lineout but again a handling error after a couple of phases handed possession back.

With half time approaching Wigton were pressing again and this time set up a driving maul from 10m out and drove Bennies over the line to score on the stroke of half time.

Half Time
Wigton 14-7 St. Benedicts

Wigton kicked off the second half and Bennies cleared there lines into Wigton territory. From the lineout, Wigton kicked long only to find full back Ryan Fisher who chipped ahead but was taken out by a late tackle after the ball had gone, the referee deemed its dangerous and showed the Wigton player a straight red card.
Bennies kicked the ball from the resulting penalty deep into Wigton territory and from the resulting lineout, went through the phases to edge nearer and nearer towards the line. Another professional foul at the breakdown seen the referee have no choice but to sin bin another Wigton player on 46minutes and after No8 Gary Gibbons created quick ball from a ruck, Scrum half Aiden Pirie darted past defenders to score in the corner but the conversion went slightly wide of the uprights to make it 14-12 to Wigton.

With a 2 man disadvantage, surprisingly; seen Wigton manage to gain the upper hand again in the contest with Wigton starting to spread the ball wide and use there centres and wingers to get in behind the Bennies defence. This paid off when after numerous phases, on 58 minutes, the ball found it's way to a wigton forward on the wing who went over in the corner after Bennies had been pulled in defensively. The try was unconverted to make it 19-12.

Bennies needed the next score and were guilty of trying to force something to happen instead of putting phases together. This resulted in passes going astray and numerous handling errors.

On 70 minutes, Bennies started putting phases together and playing to their gameplan, all 8 of Bennies forwards, were at the heart of this and this allowed Kristian Wood to go over in the corner. Kristian added the conversion to make it 19-19 with just under 10 minutes to go.

Bennies again drove in the Wigton half being patient. This time, Stand Off Andrew Middleton was directing everyone around the park and the forwards were making great inroads. With 3 minutes to go, 22m out near the touchline, Wigton conceded a penalty for a high tackle. Bennies opted to go for the 3 points and Kristian Wood stepped up to put it over to make it 22-19 to Bennies.

With 1 minute to go, Wigton kicked off and secured the ball. But Bennies were determined to not let this game go and James Finnegin forced a handling error and secured the ball on the floor. Ryan Fisher put the ball into touch to end the game and see Bennies get the season off to a winning start.

From 1-18, Bennies stood up to be counted and there were some times where they had to defend for long periods but they stood up to the test.

Flankers Matthew Addison and Ross Anderson worked tirelessly all day in defence and attack and centre Reece Lancaster was dangerous whenever he had the ball in hand but man of the match went to Scrum Half Aiden Pirie who caused the Wigton Defence problems all day and tackled well above his weight.

Next week we welcome Furness.

This will be our first game back at Newlands Avenue for over a year so let's get down and support the lads.

#COYS