Wigan Under 8s travelled to Chorley on Sunday, and in freezing conditions played some entertaining handling rugby to win by 1 match to nil with 1 drawn game.
The Under8s have made great progress in the last few weeks and can take great satisfaction in what the are achieving.
The Under 11s played in a very entertaining game against their Chorley counterparts at DV, and ran out winners in the end. The Wigan backs made excellent use of the ball they got hold of, and ran in a number of excellent tries.
Chorley for their part never gave up and contested the game right to the end.
Reports from Coach Ian Morgan
Sunday 18th March 2007
Team: Alistair Topping , Harvey Powell, Ben Gregory, Louis Smith, Sam Beard, Tom Millington, Matthew Kavanagh
In sub zero temperatures as a result of the Baltic winds blowing through Astley Village Wigan's youngest outfit put up another spirited display. The initial plan was to play 3 no. games (10 mins each way), unfortunately the weather conditions led to abandonment of the 3 game series after the second game due to the freezing conditions. Additionally the Somme like playing surface exacerbated the difficult playing conditions.
Game 1
Wigan 5 tries Chorley 4 tries
A very tight game saw Wigan edge out eventual winners. Excellent individual performances as well as a solid team performance ably led by Ben Gregory. Try scorers included Gregory, Kavanagh and Smith.
Game 2
Wigan 4 tries Chorley 4 tries
As the playing conditions worsened and the team got colder Wigan resorted to one man rugby with excellent support play. Excellent runs up the middle of the pitch by Powell, Topping and Millington kept Chorley away from the Wigan line following pressure by the home side. Driving runs from the line provided more space out wide for Gregory, Beard, Smith and Kavanagh to add to Wigan's try tally. The final game ended in a deserved draw.

Wigan then retreated to the club house to remove half of the pitch from their boots and in attempt to thaw out with the hot dogs laid on by the hosts. Thankfully there was an abundance of sizzling hot dogs for all the players, mainly due to the fact that Messrs Callaghan and Greenall were at DV with the Under 11's. However, I am reliably informed that the said troffers polished off the remains of the Irish Stew made by club masterchef, Mr Paul Cattle, from the previous nights St Pats celebrations. After munching through 3kg's of Mr Cattle's culinary delights they were heard grumbling "ist there any bread left fort' gravy!!!!!"

Garstang 0 - Wigan U 11s 37
Garstang 4 tries - Wigan U9s 16 tries
Report: Graham Greenall
Wigan Juniors went to Garstang on Sunday February 18th and both sides came away with victories. The under 11s played a similar strength Garstang side, and due to some good defending managed to keep their opponents scoreless whilst running 7 tries themselves.
This was an improved performance, but more hard work is needed in the coming weeks at training! The under 9s also ran out worthy winners as a result of some superb running rugby, and were a credit to coach Ian Morgan. The Wigan sides and their coaches would like to thank Garstang for their generous hospitality.
Coach Ian Morgan writes: A solid team performance by the entire squad proven by the fact that each player got on the score sheet; Patch Moran, Aaron, Aiden, Lachlan, Thomas Waite, Matthew Kavanagh, Ben Gregory. Wigan's speed and superb handling skills proved too much for a determined Garstang outfit. Excellent post-match alfresco buffet in the car park was laid on for the players, or at least what was left of it after Messrs Greenall and Callaghan had had their fill of the homemade pies whilst the players got changed.
Thankfully, one parent noted that there was a catering van on a A6 layby on the route home for the unlucky ones. Thanks Martin & Graham.....

WIGAN'S under 9's and under 11's teams visited Sedgley Park and both sides returned home with comfortable winning margins.
U9'S
Against a Sedgley team containing some burly forwards and fast backs the Wigan side ran out worthy winners due to scores from Benedict Ratchford, Aarron Dutch and Tom Moran. Despite the cold conditions, slick handling and some individual skills ensured the Wigan side outclassed their opponents.
Special mention must go to the ever improving duo of Harvey Powell and Alistair Topping (from the U8 TAG TEAM) who played superb supporting roles. Special mention goes to Alistair for his defence and driving runs.
This was the last game of the year and was a great way to finish the first half of the season. Despite not having fixtures until early January 2007, the junior section will be training through the Xmas period.

Another good Sunday at Douglas Valley as the Junior Section welcomed teams from Garstang and Chorley for a series of games. Once again we pay tribute to our opposition who came and played rugby tio a high standard and whose sporting behaviour, good manners and excellent attitude to the game made it a pleasure to host them. We wish Chorley and Garstang well for the rest of the season and look forward to a return fixture.
Thanks to all parents and visitors who helped us enormously by transferring the post match party to the Prospect Lounge to allow the Main Clubroom to be prepared for a private party, and once again congratulations to Jackie, Jacqui and Julie and the support team for all their hard work in feeding the five thousand! As usual, the Wolverines were queuing up for a portion of hot pot as well as the players and parents!
Report by Coach Ian Morgan
Sunday 12th November saw a return fixture with local neighbours Chorley, who like Wigan are in the early stages of developing a Junior Rugby Section.
However, the players inexperience continues to wane each week as they get more games under their belts. Additionally the most impressive aspect of the games played was the number of tries scored in which the ball went through numerous pairs of hands on the way to the try line, highlighting the players continually developing handling skills as well as teamwork skills.
The plan was to play 3 games against Chorley, but the unexpected arrival of Garstang with a tag team meant that it was decided for both Wigan and Chorley to have a game against Garstang.
Game 1  - Wigan v Chorley - Wigan ran out worthy winners (unfortunately I don't have the scores) although mention must go to Jones, Ratchford, & Kavanagh (the experienced trio who marshalled and encouraged their younger team mates) ably supported by the younger lads Topping,Smith, Beard and Harvey who get better each week.
Game 2 - Wigan v Chorley - the match finished in a draw (6 tries each)
Game 3 - Wigan v Garstang - the match finished in a draw (5 tries each) Special mention to the coaches from Chorley who kindly refereed all the games while Ronnie stood on the sidelines with a hangover from the seconds win at Burnley, a huge tray of lobbies and a pint of extra cold guiness. .....Oh forgot to mention, Ronnie did instruct someone to fill the water bottles and bring them over to the far pitch. Quote of the match goes to Ratchford who captained the team for second game. On being told to cheer Garstang at the end of the game he asked "where's Garstang - Japan? !!!"

Coach Ian Morgan writes: In superb conditions for rugby at Douglas Valley, Wigan's fledgeling junior section played host to thd newly formed Pendle Phoenix. Wigan U11s kicked off the day with a good win against their opposition in a game that was a superb advert for junior rugby.
Both teams played attacking rugby and got the ball wide as quickly as possible. In the end it was the extra mobility of the Wigan backs that won the day. Well done both sides.

Wigan travelled to Ashton-Under-Lyne on Sunday October 1st 2006 for a series of combined games between the  U6,7,8's and 9's, and the considerable travelling Wigan support wasn't disappointed, with a fine show of skills from both sides.
Although Wigan edged it out in the end with good performances from Moran, James, Dutch, and Gormley - to mention a few, Ashton never gave up.
The Wigan "speccies" would like to really thank Ashton for their hospitality shown on the day.
Wigan Coach Ian Morgan said: "What was most impressive was the way the lads played as a team, and the u9 game was superbly marshalled by our very own commander James.
" Furthermore, the hospitality from Ashton was second to none - thank you."