1^st Team

Saturday 7^th April 2018

Wigan St Judes entertained Leigh East at the Meadow on Saturday knowing only a win was essential to keep them in the mix at the top, and after an early scare Jude’s finally ran out winners 24-14. Early exchanges were quite even with both defences giving nothing away Paul Pendlebury, Danny Clayton, Tom Owen, Danny Fallon right up there with a great attitude to defend and Olumide Oladele, Dave Fagan Luke Barrett and Gavin Rodden always carting the ball up with intent. But it was Leigh East who gradually worked their way up field and seemed to just have the upper hand when from a neat chip kick to the corner they managed to get the first score of the game. And right on half time Leigh East got over the line again to make the half time score 12-0 to the visitors. Jude’s made several substitutions ,Nathan Bevan, Gary McMahon, Luke Barrett all coming on and you could see the energy levels rise and as early as the first minute of the second half from a scrum on the right Ben Fisher found Winger Ashley Marshall wide out for him to score. Jude’s next was from young Gary McMahon whose neat grubber kick was pounced on for him to score under the posts, Ben Fisher slotted over the two. Another quick Jude’s attack was soon to come with Bevan, Fisher, Fenney and Gary McMahon dictating play and it was a Gary McMahons kick which set up great field position for David Fagan to crash over from close range and put Jude’s level at 14 all. Judes had really upped their game by now and on 62 mins out of nothing Man of the Match Nathan Bevan did what he does best, when from dummy half he went on a 40 mts break up the middle with defenders trying their best to stop him but his power and determination was just too much and he scored the game breaker right under the sticks, McMahon goaled to put Jude’s 20-14 up. Jude’s final try was on 70 mins when Daz Ball sent out a long pass to Winger Baz Rothwell who did the rest. Jude’s second half performance was encouraging scoring 5 unanswered tries but we cannot keep giving teams starts.

Man of the Match NCL - Nathan Bevan

Man of the Match Sponsor - Paul Pendlebury