26/04/2026
Wigan 25
Aspull 24
This was a game that felt far removed from a relegation battle. Instead, it had all the intensity, quality, and physicality you’d expect from two top-five sides. Both teams had a few absentees, but there were no excuses, this was as even a contest as you could ask for, and it delivered from start to finish.
Aspull started strongly, with captain Carlton Jones slotting two penalties to give his side a 6–0 lead. Momentum continued to build, and after a well-worked score, Aspull surged into a commanding 13–0 advantage.
Wigan responded following an Aspull yellow card, capitalising on the extra space. Their ever-present fullback Sam Carlton finished a well executed move out wide to bring them back into the game. Another shift in momentum came when a yellow card for Louis Molyneux disrupted Aspull’s defensive structure, and Wigans Logan Ashley’s pace exposed the gaps, finishing a superb try.
A series of exchanged penalties saw the sides go into halftime with Aspull narrowly trailing 17–16
The second half continued in the same vein, with Aspull dominating large spells. Fagan, Brehney, and Ryder repeatedly broke the gain line, while Carlton Jones orchestrated play brilliantly, creating opportunities throughout. Despite this, Wigan’s defence proved resilient, scrambling effectively time and again. Their back row was outstanding all afternoon, supported well by West, Johnson, and Farrell. Credit must also go to the three Coultas brothers who showed tremendous determination to play through the pain barrier, two of the 3 received bad knocks to force them off the field.
Individually, there were a number of standout performances for Aspull. Bloor was immense, bringing that old-school doggedness that can sometimes be missing in the modern game. Weaver and Carter never took a backward step all afternoon, while Graham Johnson tackled his heart out in a tireless display. Molyneux, although not quite back to his best, remained a constant thorn in Wigan’s side, while Fagan was arguably Aspull’s biggest threat, making huge yards with every carry.
Retiring Greenhalgh signed off with a brilliant final performance, while Kindred kept the forwards ticking over effectively throughout. At the back, fullback Joe Knight looked a class above with ball in hand, constantly threatening and attacking space, and Hart showed some nice touches out on the wing.
Both teams traded tries and penalties in a gripping second half. Aquila Coultas capped an excellent personal performance with a sensational try. Yet another yellow card for Aspull saw Farrimond in the bin , which gave Wigan’s impressive Fillingham a chance respond with a tidy individual effort of his own.
The final 10 minutes were packed with tension. With just four minutes remaining, Aspull’s captain slotted a penalty to edge his side ahead 23–21. But in a dramatic finish, Wigan’s Carlton stepped up with a penalty in the final minute, converting to sn**ch a 25–24 victory.
Aspull can take immense pride from this performance. If last week was their best display, this was a very close second. It’s a cruel reality that a match of such quality had relegation consequences. On their day, these are undoubtedly two top-five sides, but a difficult mid-season period ultimately proved costly.
Despite the result, today’s performance reinforces belief within the squad. Aspull will regroup, embrace the challenges ahead, and look forward to new opportunities—particularly in developing their exciting group of young players.
Congratulations to Wigan, who take the bragging rights over the three meetings this season. But Aspull have bounced back before, and there’s every confidence they will do so again.
Have a fantastic summer , we go again in September.
