Lock Lane claimed their first Premier Division victory of the National Community Rugby League (NCRL) season at the fifth attempt with a committed and hard-earned away success at Wigan St Judes. It was built on a the back of a blistering start and a superb defensive effort when it mattered most in the final twenty minutes.
The visitors made the perfect opening and were ahead inside the first two minutes. Calum Butler’s kick was superbly taken by Morgan Punchard and, after strong leg drive from second rower Thomas Dobson, Leyton Davies showed great awareness from dummy half to dart over with just seventy seconds played. Butler added the extras for a 0-6 lead.
Lock Lane’s line speed immediately put St Judes under pressure, forcing errors and restricting the hosts’ ability to build any sustained attacking rhythm. The visitors continued to dominate territory through the opening quarter and doubled their advantage in the 24th minute.
Lewis Price broke strongly through the middle and the ever-influential Punchard was again involved before Dobson backed up the play superbly to take the pass and cross for the second try. Butler maintained his accuracy from the tee to extend the lead to 0-12.
St Judes needed a response and found it after 29 minutes following a penalty against Brandon Worsley for running behind a team-mate. From the resulting position, Adam Holt spotted a gap and sliced through the defence to score, with Danny Fallon adding the goal to reduce the arrears to 6-12.
The hosts were growing in confidence, but Lock Lane responded well and continued to threaten down the right edge. Worsley was prominent as he surged forward, and although that particular attack did not yield points, it sparked a sustained period of pressure.
That pressure told before the break when Dobson again produced a powerful carry to bend the defensive line. From the quick play-the-ball, the visitors shifted right and Connor Wilson finished well in the corner. Butler was unable to convert, but Lock Lane took a deserved 6-16 lead into the interval.
St Judes started the second half with renewed purpose and enjoyed their best spell, forcing Lock Lane onto the back foot and asking questions of their defensive resolve. However, despite that pressure, it was the visitors who struck next with a crucial fourth try.
In the 50th minute, Price showed strength and determination from dummy half, forcing his way over out wide after a spell of pressure to extend the advantage to 6-20. Butler was unable to add the extras, but the score gave Lock Lane valuable breathing space.
To their credit, St Judes refused to go away and continued to push for a route back into the contest. Their efforts were rewarded after 66 minutes with a well-worked try. Dec Parkinson and Jacob Dugdale combined neatly to break through the defensive line, and Lewis Melling was on hand in support to finish by the posts. Fallon converted to reduce the deficit to 12-20 and set up a tense final period.
Lock Lane were forced to defend their line as St Judes looked to build momentum, but the visitors’ defensive commitment held firm, with crucial tackles and strong line speed preventing any further scoring opportunities.
The closing stages saw tempers flare as the intensity of the contest boiled over. Worsley was sinbinned for holding down in the tackle before Dec O’Donnell was also shown yellow for dissent towards the referee.
Matters escalated further in the final minute when a flare-up resulted in Joey Brady and Lewis Crosby being sent off for St Judes, while Lucas Moon was dismissed for Lock Lane following his involvement in the altercation.
The late incidents had no bearing on the outcome as Lock Lane saw out the remaining moments to secure a deserved victory.
Full-time: Wigan St Judes 12 Lock Lane 20
Date: Saturday 11 April
Location: Parsons Meadow, Wigan
By Dave Parkinson
Photo Credit: 13 Pro Am Community RL
