365 Sporting Days

In the week leading up to this innovative fixture in London I thought I’d bought myself a ticket for England RU v Ireland only to find I hadn’t.  I decided I really wanted to support Wigan in their bid to draw a crowd to Millwall for their Super 8’s clash against Les Catalans so got myself online to but a ticket sharpish.  It arrived the next day and my rugby union weekend was split on 2 by a rugby league game!

I stupidly didn’t quite check my travel plans so ended up driving to Millwall from my brother’s house in Surrey, but that way I arrived in good time to get to my seat.  The stand wasn’t full by any means so I took the opportunity to move down the stand and nearer to the halfway line.  That meant I was sat near the press area, it was interesting to note that of the 23 people present only one was female, such a shame that the press man at The Rugby Football League refuses me any kind of press access whatsoever – not even a press release!

It was great to see Dan Sarginson – ex London Broncos man, although a shame he was sat in said Press Box having injured his Hamstring – he brushes up well!

But, hey ho that won’t stop me writing about the game!  I was expecting a Wigan win in spite of the fact that Les Catalans can be tough opposition.  In fact the first half was a hard fought affair and the teams went in with Wigan ahead by one converted try – the score being Wigan Warriors 12 Les Catalans 6.

Matty Bowen and Ben Flowers had scored – Flowers seemed to take half the French team over the line with him showing great strength! (I may have exaggerated slightly!) Krisnan Inu scored for the French team with Thomas Bosc showing he still has it with the boot.

The teams emerged after half time and Les Catalans scored pretty much straight away through Scott Dureau – they were down to 12 men after Loius Anderson had seen yellow before the break so that was something of a shock!

However Matty Bowen who was on fire in the second half scored the first of Wigan’s 5 tries after the break as Wigan went on the rampage thrilling their fans who’d made the long journey.

Les Catalans squeezed another try into the midst of Wigans’ try fest – but ended the match on the end of a heavy defeat – the score being Wigan Warriors 42 Les Catalans 16.

It would seem that Wigan are coming into a fine vein of form at the business end of the season, on their second half display they’ll have the beating of any team.  This victory secured their place in the play off semi-final – they’re in effect a game from Old Trafford.

The crowd of 8101 was the highest to watch a Superleague game in London for 9 years, it was a shame the game coincided with both England Rugby Union and England Cricket.  Always difficult to avoid clashes in London but those 2 were pretty big games!

I thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon and was more than relieved when I managed to find my car after the match!

• Cost of Ticket          £37.00

This section is going to get very scary once the Rugby World Cup starts!