Cockermouth Wasps had been looking forward to the opportunity to test their rugby at a higher level and this certainly was the case on Saturday with the visit of a physical Wigton team and a referee who usually officiates in a higher league. The Cockermouth club hope the county continue with this format again next season.

Unfortunately the home side got off to the worst possible start with experienced back player Mark Watson getting injured before game and then number 10, Ed Gate and 12, Jonny Ostle banging heads and going to hospital within 5 mins with lots of blood for physio Rob Barton to sort.. To make matters worse Wigtons first visit into the home side 40s resulted in a penalty which Wigton no 10 slotted home to take a 3 point lead.

As the Wasps were playing with two back row forwards at no 10, 12 the game plan changed to play a more direct game and this helped get the next score. After many carries at the Wigton defence a series of held up over the line, with Paul Greening having a try disallowed the referee awarded a penalty try after the scrum was infringed to many times by the Wigton front row. This gave the home side the confidence to open up the game and start to play a more expansive, which could and should have resulted in more trys. Credit to the Wigton defence who stopped second row Stefan Highton and then winger Josh Whild. Wigton then replied with their control of the game and showed how you win at this level firstly taking the next three points on offer and then no 12 Richard Moffat crashing over under the sticks to take a half time lead of 13-7.

The second half continued to be an excellent physical battle, with Cockermouth battering the wigton line and maybe becoming guilty of not using their back line to full effect. The strong wigton defence lead by man of match Mark Deans absorbed all the pressure and this time held up Austin Taylor as he powered down the short side. Wigton were starved of possession and territory but on the first visit into the Cockermouth 40, as in the first half, they were awarded a penalty which their no 10 again cooly slotted over to give the away side a 16 - 7 lead with 20 mins to play. Cockermouth again responded with pride and passion and played again with a little more width which was required, outside centre Ryan Burns was put in space down the right edge and his nicely timed offload gave Josh Whild a sprint to to the try line which he took nicely. With 5 mins to play was a upset on the cards, unfortunately not wit Wigton managing to grind the game out and kick the ball dead for the final white. Prop, Adam Brough was awarded man of the match for the home side, closely followed by skipper Sam Wilson.

On reflection Coach Chris Wright feels more focus should have been spent on the PROCESS - Encouraging the expansive rugby which is so difficult to defend when played with confidence and high core skill, maybe on this occasion the build up to the game resulted in the boys trying to muscle up and win by physicality, which they certainly gave 110% at. What is for certain Cockermouth Wasps have predominantly young side who are fully committed to the cause and now have even more desire to reach new playing levels.