Wigan St Jude's took a huge step towards securing a play-off berth in Impact Performance National Conference Division Two with a comfortable 28-10 derby win over Woolston Rovers at Parsons Meadow.
The first half saw St Jude's dominate, although they were only able to establish a 10-0 lead at half time. Initially a close game looked in prospect with prop Kieran Hickman and second row Andrew Fearnley impressing for Woolston. Joe Roper had the first real chance for the visitors when he slipped through the first line of defence after five minutes. He was hauled down however and St Jude's went about establishing themselves. It took 18 minutes for the first score, but it was worth the wait as Connor Parkinson spun and twisted his way past three defenders after the ball was moved wide and Reece Matthews crisp pass gave the fullback chance to show his elusiveness. It proved too far out for halfback Danny Cassidy to convert but Jude's backed this up with a superb try nine minutes later. Hulking substitute Aaron Smith burst through the Woolston defence from before halfway and motored towards the twenty metre line before popping his pass inside for Joey Brady to run to the posts. This time Cassidy goaled and that 10-0 lead was established.
Early in the second half, Jude's threatened to run riot with two early scores. Smith turned from try provider to scorer inside the first couple of minutes of the half with Cassidy tagging on the extras and Brady showed tremendous footwork and a burst of speed to beat four defenders to the line nine minutes later. With the goal, the score was 22-0, but the game entered a scrappy phase and Woolston rallied after Roper was sinbinned for dissent on 57 minutes.
Despite playing a man down, Rovers were constructive and kept the ball alive well for Fearnley to score on the hour, then a couple of minutes later, the visitors had a second try when wide passing led to winger Karlton Bates sailing in. Craig Lawton goaled superbly and it was 22-10. Another try to Woolston would really have made a contest of it but instead the visitors Ryan Brown was dismissed for kicking while Jude's Danny Fallon followed him for a retaliatory punch.
With both sides down a man it was St Jude's that settled down to obtaining field position and they struck in the final minute when the ball came back inside and Cassidy dived over at the side of the posts for the clincher. Outstanding front row forward Reece Stanton added the final goal with Parkinson named player of the game for St Jude's and Woolston centre Kieran Moore, an eager runner throughout, being named their best. St Jude's moved into fifth spot courtesy of results elsewhere in the division with Woolston still ahead of them in fourth heading into the final weeks of the season.
Wigan St Jude's 28 Woolston Rovers 10
By Dave Parkinson.
Photo - Mark Stringer
