Rejuvenated Scorpions faced league leaders St. Cuthberts in what was to be a far from easy game for the already promoted Wigan side.
Scorpions have intensified their training over recent weeks and under new coaches Mark Holden and Karl Davies look a totally different hard working team. Scorpions started well and soon let St. Cuthberts know that they were no pushovers. Props Downing and Armstrong made strong runs, the lively Phelps continuously caused havoc with some neat handling and exquisite passing. Revell, Butler and Stewart all ran hard making many meters at every opportunity. The pack was solid in the centre of the field but St. Cuthberts found a couple of weaknesses in the Scorpions wings and ran in a couple of quick tries. Scorpions stuck to the game plan and relentlessly bombarded St. Cuthberts with some awesome attacking play.Slick handling from Tierney and Phelps created an opening for Higgins to dive over for Scorpions first try. Scorpions then had a purple patch and with great work from Butler, Stewart and Walker making good meters up field Tierney fed Phelps with a slick pass who then side stepped two players and passed to Revell who returned the pass to enable Phelps to dive over for the try of the match. Scorpions enthusiastic start to the second half gave them hope when good work from Ratcliffe, Christian Roberts and Armstrong enabled Scorpions to pile on the pressure to the Wigan side. Tierney jinked his way through the defence then neatly scored a deserved try. St. Cuthberts did play some impressive rugby and put the game out of reach mid way through the second half, but Scorpions never say die attitude will put them in good stead for the remaining two games. Pick of the bunch were Higgins, Armstrong, Butler and man of the match Phelps.
