In terrible conditions, Wigton Rugby Club produced an outstanding performance to win 34-29 at Fleetwood.

The result flattered Fleetwood as they scored two tries after 80 minutes when the Cumbrians had the game won but fell asleep.

The performance was felt to be extra special in view of the players who were missing and with Josh Leeson having to leave the field with an injury early in the game.

There were six players missing from the side which beat Keswick the previous week.

With new partnerships at half-back and in the second row, this looked a difficult game for the Greens.

It didn’t help either side that the game was played in blizzard conditions with a very strong wind blowing across the pitch with intermittent patches of sunshine.

Wigton started well but were unable to breach the home defence and after a penalty for holding on, Fleetwood seized their opportunity with a break down the right-hand side which ended with the winger scoring in the corner.

Fleetwood were guilty of being offside several times, giving Wigton plenty of chances and, with the scrum dominant throughout, it wasn’t long before the forwards were in sight of the line.

Ryan Wannop touched down for Wigton’s first try and produced a brilliant touchline conversion for Ryan Clark.

When Wigton were awarded a penalty, the strong wind prevented the ball from going out of play.

Instead, it sailed back into the arms of a Fleetwood player who ran through several missed tackles to touch down under the post for a converted try.

The Fleetwood players continued to fall foul of the referee and eventually lost a man to a yellow card for a deliberate knock on.

The Wigton scrum, well marshalled by captain Greg Wrathall, was too good and eventually the referee ran under the posts to award a penalty try on 36 minutes for Wigton to regain the lead.

It was then Fleetwood’s turn to put the Wigton defence under pressure and they were rewarded with a try in the corner to give the hosts a half-time lead of 17-14.

An early penalty at the start of the second half in front of the posts allowed Clark to put Wigton level.

Wigton began using the wind to their benefit with some great probing kicks from Clark, continually pushing the Fleetwood defenders backwards.

From one of these kicks, the on-rushing Wigton centres were able to turn over the ball with Ollie Lewis linking with Richard Moffatt to release Colin Sessford for the try which Clark converted.

Then a long kick from Clark gave the Fleetwood backs all sorts of problems and the referee awarded Wigton another penalty in front of the posts which the marksman slotted over.

Fleetwood were guilty of giving away too many penalties and, with Wigton opting for a scrum at every opportunity, it wasn’t long before the referee was running under the posts for a second penalty try.

The Fleetwood defence was unable to hold the Wigton scrum legally with the line beckoning and it was Wigton’s fourth and bonus point try.

With only six minutes remaining, Wigton had a comfortable lead of 34-17 but as the clock ticked past the 80-minute mark the Greens went to sleep.

They certainly dropped off tackles as Fleetwood scored two tries, one converted to give them two losing bonus points in the end.

It was an important win for Wigton as their Cumbrian rivals both lost in Lancashire – Aspatria 17-13 at Aldwinians and Keswick 34-12 at Tarleton.