No Points Mean No Prizes…

…to leave Wigan with just a losing BP was therefore all the more galling.

The first quarter was spent camped in Wigan’s half, but several good moves came to nothing as the ball was spilt at crucial times. The forwards were well on top in the set pieces and it seemed just a matter of time before the backs could use their platform. Ironically it was Wigan who nearly scored first when they broke out of defence but normal service soon resumed and the pressure on the home side mounted.

Rob Chance eventually created the opening try with a great carry, well supported by Doug Day. As the ball bounced loose in front of the posts, Day won the race and touched down for a try converted by Ian Jinks (0-7).

The game continued its pattern of Manchester attack, followed by a turnover and a gifted chance for Wigan to break from within their own half. In truth, for all their territory and possession, Manchester were not really threatening the Wigan line and the number of clear scoring opportunities (albeit against the run of play) were probably in Wigan’s favour.

As the half hour approached, Manchester actually got over the line with a powerful drive from James Brodie but the visiting supporter’s calls for the TMO were ignored and the referee decided that the ball had been held up. Minutes later, the ball was over again but this time the official decided that Mikey Williams had made a double movement as he forced his way over the line.

It was now getting puzzling, but not yet worrying, that only the one try separated the sides. It seemed inevitable that the scores would come and even a late foray into Manchester’s 22 seemed only to delay the point when the scoreboard would catch up with the match stats and see Manchester disappear into the distance.

The second half began with the same optimism, although this was by now slowly changing into frustration. A yellow card for a Wigan late tackle would surely create the space that Manchester’s backs wanted but the second try failed to come. Wigan were not being helped as the penalty count started to swing against them, but the free balls as the referee played advantage seemed to be run into dead ends as the sin bin period ticked away. Even with the extra man, it seemed prudent by now to take the points when two close range penalties were awarded. At least Manchester had the cushion of a 0-13 lead with quarter of an hour played and with plenty of time remaining to increase that gap.

As the last quarter was entered however, it was Wigan who finally grabbed one of their opportunities when a run down the right wing was not stopped at source resulting in a touch down right in the corner. An impressive conversion from the touchline brought the hosts right back into it at 7-13. How important would that kick turn out to be!

Wigan visibly gained in confidence from this point and Manchester seemed to lose the belief in themselves after an hour of very limited success in breaching the Wigan line. Several turnovers meant that Manchester were now frequently on the back foot as they had to switch quickly from attack to defence, and from looking for points, the team were now trying to hold on to what they had got. Unfortunately Manchester were not able to do this, and from a long penalty advantage deep in their 22, some belated adventurous passing went to hand and Wigan were under the posts to take the lead for the first time (14-13) with ten minutes remaining.

Manchester could not have failed to hear the wakeup call and were back on the attack after a slack period that had seen the lead snatched from them. When a long penalty was awarded with five minutes to go, it seemed unbelievable that Manchester were looking for a lifeline. The attempt fell short but the urgency was now there and the game was again being played out in the Wigan half, just the way that it had been for the first hour.

As the home side clung on to their lead well into stoppage time, another penalty was conceded but with no time for Manchester to kick for touch. From a position too wide for comfort, posts were signalled and one last effort to save the match was attempted. The ball went wide, the referee blew for full time, the home fans celebrated, and the away fans shook their heads – not because of the missed penalty but because of the missed chances earlier in the game.