Head Coach Ryan Baxter backs his battlers as Wigan St Pats travel to Dewsbury Moor in NCRL's Division One

Wigan St Patricks head to Dewsbury Moor this weekend still sitting fourth in NCRL's Division One, but know they will need to dig deep to stay there after a bruising 4–34 home defeat to Kells last time out.

Head coach Ryan Baxter was honest about where the game slipped away, while still full of admiration for the effort his patched up side produced: “I thought Kells were really good…you can tell they’re training Tuesday, Thursday. We’re a bit busted at the minute and struggling for bodies, but the commitment from our lads was spot on.”

Pats briefly threatened a second half surge. “When we got that try early in the second half, I thought that was it, that we’d kick on,” Baxter said. But errors in yardage and Kells’ young, athletic forwards swung the momentum back. “They caught us on our left edge a lot in that second half and scored some good tries. They probably put the game to bed twenty minutes before the end.”

Even so, Baxter couldn’t fault the spirit. With players out of position, youngsters stepping up, and even Dion Duell coming out of retirement, the coach was proud of the shift they put in. “The effort was second to none. Lads playing out of position, lads coming out of retirement, young lads stepping up… they all had a right dig.”

That resilience will be needed again this weekend. Pats remain in the grip of what Baxter calls the worst injury run he’s seen at the club, with several long term absentees still sidelined. Yet the group continues to front up, and their league position shows the work they’ve already put in.

Now comes a real test. Dewsbury Moor have already shown their quality this season, and Baxter knows exactly what awaits. “This is where we need to step up now and have a right dig against Dewsbury, who are a good side,” he said. “We know they’re a good team. They’ve been at this level a long time and they’ll be really physical.”

Pats enjoyed a favourable run of fixtures early on, something Baxter acknowledges. “We’ve been a bit lucky with fixtures early doors, we had three of our first four at home, but now we’re on the road and we’ve got to front up.”

Still, the mood in the camp remains positive. With experience, youth, and even a few “masters” joining the bus for the trip, there’s no shortage of spirit around the club.

Baxter’s message is to compete, and give everything. “We just need to make sure we’re on our game and hopefully give it a good go.”

Week 6 National Leagues fixtures - all Saturday 25th April:

Premier Division

Lock Lane v Waterhead Warriors - 2:30pm

Rochdale Mayfield v West Hull - 2:30pm

Thatto Heath Crusaders v Siddal - 2:30pm

Wath Brow Hornets v Heworth - 2:30pm

West Bowling v Hunslet ARLFC - 2:30pm

Wigan St Judes v York Acorn - 2:30pm

Division One

Dewsbury Moor Maroons v Wigan St Patricks - 2:30pm

Leigh Miners Rangers v Dewsbury Celtic - 2:30pm

Oldham St Annes v East Leeds - 2:30pm

Pilkington Recs v Egremont Rangers - 2:30pm

Oulton Raiders v Shaw Cross Sharks - 2:30pm

Stanningley v Kells - 2:30pm

Cumbria Conference

Dalton v Hensingham - 2:30pm

Distington v Hindpool Tigers - 2:30pm

Ellenborough v Maryport - 2:30pm

Millom v Barrow Island - 2:30pm

Seaton Rangers v Ulverston - 2:30pm

North West Conference

Ashton Bears v Clock Face Miners - 2:30pm

Crosfields v Orrell St James - 2:30pm

Blackbrook - BYE

Leigh East v Saddleworth Rangers - 2:30pm

Woolston Rovers v Ince Rose Bridge - 2:30pm

Yorkshire A Conference

Bradford Dudley Hill v Mirfield Spartans - 2:30pm

Keighley Albion v Moldgreen - 2:30pm

Myton Warriors v King Cross Park - 2:30pm

Stanley Rangers v Drighlington - 2:30pm

Thornhill Trojans v Beverley - 2:30pm

Yorkshire B Conference

Featherstone Lions v Newsome Panthers - 2:30pm

Fryston Warriors v Skirlaugh - 2:30pm

Milford v Bentley - 2:30pm

Normanton Knights v Kippax Welfare - 2:30pm

Siddal Academy v Hull Dockers - 2:30pm

Southern Conference

Bedford Tigers v Hammersmith Hill Hoists - 2:30pm

Brentwood Eels v North Herts Crusaders - 2:30pm

Eastern Rhinos v Bristol All Golds - 2:30pm

Wests Warriors v London Chargers - 3:00pm

By Dave Parkinson

Photo Credit: 13 Pro-Am Community RL

Find out the full fixtures for the National Leagues here.