Last updated 11:45, Tuesday, 16 September 2008

WIGTON opened their North Lancs Cumbria campaign with a hard-fought 15-5 win at Oldham.

Charging on: Carlisle's Matt Charters with the ball, supported by Matt Rogers, in the match against Billingham

It was the first time in four years that the Greens had won their opening game in the League.

They were actually good value for the victory, even though it wasn’t sealed until Dan Reed got in for a try three minutes from the end.

Oldham had actually started well and for the opening ten minutes Wigton were forced back and had to defend solidly. A series of good touchline kicks from David Hanabury eventually relieved the pressure.

Wigton then took the game to the home side and both Richard Moffat and Chris Pattinson were close to opening the scoring.

They went ahead, however, on 27 minutes after Steve Carruthers had been on the receiving end of a bad high tackle. Andrew Logue marked his debut with a successful penalty while Carruthers recovered and went on to pick up his side’s man of the match award.

Wigton were attacking again on 33 minutes when the Oldham winger made a smart interception and raced 80 metres up field. Moffat got back to make a brilliant, saving tackle but the ball was popped-up to centre Gavin Dodd who went in for an unconverted try.

Wigton coach Malcolm Brown said: “It was a bit disappointing to go in at half-time trailing after dominating possession as we had done. But we responded well in the second period and got the two tries which won us the game.”

On 60 minutes Moffat kicked through and showed his pace to chase after it and he beat the Oldham cover to the touchdown.

Stuart Crichton provided the perfect pass for Reed to collect and skip through for a well-taken try which Logue converted to wrap up the match.

Workington finished third last season but have had a set-back with new coach Ross Mills having to work abroad until December.

The Zebras opened their campaign at Tyldesley and went down 20-6 although early in the second-half they were leading 6-5. A late try with virtually the last move of the game gave the scoreline a rather unfair slant.

Team manager Kevin O’Neil said: “I’m disappointed to lose but not disheartened. We have lads to come in and I think Tyldesley might be one of the better teams this season.

“They are very mobile right through the side and have a couple of good Kiwis and South Africans. They have got back their former half-back pair and they are very useful.”

Workington weathered an early Tyldesley blitz and some good breaks from Mike Hawley and Kevin Harper could have produced scores but the home side defended well.

The home side went ahead with an unconverted try but before the break Harper put over a penalty for the west Cumbrians.

Five minutes after the restart Harper kicked a second penalty to edge the Zebras ahead.

But Tyldesley started to make inroads and when they applied sustained pressure the Workington defence finally cracked and they scored a converted try to lead 12-6.

It stayed that way for a long time before Tyldesley improved their position with a penalty and in the dying seconds scored an unconverted try.

Last season Aldwinians and Keswick were two Leagues apart but a respective relegation and promotion has put them together this time round.

Keswick coach Alan Gray admitted it could have been a mis-match, and for part of the time it was, but he’s convinced his players will have learnt from the experience.

Aldwinians took time to get into their stride but took the lead on 11 minutes.

They kicked into the corner, drove on from the line-out and eventually Keswick ran out of defenders as the home side crossed for a converted try.

But Keswick came back and when they were awarded two penalties in quick succession John Hine was on target with both to keep them firmly in the contest.

A penalty then gave Aldwinians a 17-6 lead at the break.

As a result Aldwinians put in a big finish which yielded them two more converted tries which rather gave the final scoreline a flattering look.

Other League scores were: Burnley 10, Kirkby Lonsdale 34; Fleetwood 32, Upper Eden 20; Heaton Moor 26, Vale of Lune 38.