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MATCH REPORT : ST HELENS V WIGAN 1 MARCH 1890 There was enough wind blowing to shatter any goal posts that didn’t have respectable calves, and Wigan had the advantage of that in the first half. The Saints’ kick off was returned to the centre touch and from the resulting scrummage there Billy Cross picked up hopefully but was downed, and after a brief struggle the oval returned to neutral territory. Dick Seddon for Wigan had a fair catch but Teddy Forman returned in touch. From the ,line out Miitchinson made the ball dead at the Saints’ quarter, and Wigan making a series of good passes were just barely tackled at the opposite quarter. The Saints then made a clever dribble up to the centre where a fair catch was most unfairly allowed to Wigan. Following some tense exchanges Wigan were penned in their 25 for a long time wit Bullough finally raising the siege to the quarter. William Haselden was airing his shins at centre, little too far up. The result of Bullough’s challenge was that he had to change amid a storm of comments. Dick Seddon, peeled off his own jersey and gave him that, displaying his county jersey beneath, the sight of which elicited a small cheer from the tourists. The Saints managed to keep Wigan cooped up and one of the visitors seemed to get riled up by this , as he vented a little rowdyism, and it was by some roughness that Wigan got into Saints’ quarters at last. Jack Dearden’s forehead came into violent contact with some portion of foreign anatomy and had to be carried off the field. From a drop out Freddie Little passed judiciously to John Hartman who dribbled nicely up to the Wigan quarter, and Cross gained ground in the scrummage. “The Duke” (Billy Cross) place a fair catch and gave James Graham a chance., but his kick was a poor one. Then John Hartman kicked up, Flynn mulled and Billy Cross went off for a try, but only a minor was obtained. Following some thrilling and fierce exchanges Tom Anderson got clear across the quarter ending his career in touch. From there Dempsey managed to get over the line for Wigan. Atkinson very neatly acquired the premier point. As the half tome whistle sounded the homesteads were left with a symmetrical row of figure of ones to catch up with. The lemons were conspicuous by their absence until it was too late and Wigan trotted out the ball lemon less. On the resumption Billy Cross was noted for some good tackling. A foolish pass by Dick Seddon let up Teddy Foreman but J. Halliwell returned the oval to the homesteads’ lodge. A rush across the goalmouth was relieved by Billy Cross with a fine kick, John Brownbill despatching to centre touch afterwards. Jack Dearden re-entered the the lists in time to canter after Foreman, who made a telling run, passing finally to George McNelly. And now I saw that the Ornery critic was not wrong in calling MvNelly timid, for as soon as J. Halliwell came along he shielded away from the ball and lost it, calling forth comments more forcible than charitable. However, the Saints ran up to the line, Joe Brownbill tackling J. Halliwell effectively. Unluckily, this chance was missed. Another opportunity offered itself, bu this too was rendered abortive, and only had lines scored instead. A drop goal from Little deserved success but didn’t get it. A brief spurt by Wigan was nullified by a good run by Peter Guest, John Hartman got up further, and then the Saints dashed in over the line, George McNelly apparently on the ball. But Dick Seddon happened to be there and kicked the oval dead from under his hands. Down came Wigan again to the cemetery end, and after a little play Tom Anderton got th ball at the quarter and got in after a really splendid effort. Brayshaw pulled his night cap tighter and kicked a clear goal. The Saints had a final chance on the Wigan line but failed to take it. Score: Wigan 2 goals , 1 try and 1 minor to St. Helens 2 minors. Twenty one points to two. NOTE The bizarre scoring system cites a rare reference to points totals with Wigan scoring 21 points. We can safely assume that a minor was worth one point. The tear was 1890 and the points system was about to be revised but the only logical explanation at this point in time was that a goal was worth 8 points and a try (unconverted) had a value of 4 points. Comments welcome. |
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