The game started in sweltering conditions and Little Hulton were to draw first blood.
A high swirling kick by Hessian was spilled by the Wigan fullback and Mike Sherwin was on hand to collect and drive over the line. It was Sherwin’s second try in only his third full game of rugby league.
Their lead was short lived when a defensive mix up lead to a converted Wigan score under the posts.
Little Hulton came straight back and from another high Hessian kick Danny Jones was on hand to take the ball and go over, this time Ross Cahill had his sights right and turned the 4 points into 6.
The game had become a arm wrestle at this point – the next side to post were Wigan, again adding a converted score, but just on the brink of half time the Reds pulled it back to 16-14 with a Little Hulton front rower breaking across the line.
At the restart Little Hulton lost concentration and gave away numerous penalties which resulted in the Wigan side adding four unanswered converted tries to go ahead 40 points to 14.
At this point scrum-half Alan ‘Woody’ Hargreaves and Lee Foster took control and the Reds started to play again.
Little Hulton’s substitute center came into play quickly, adding two tries with Ross Cahill posting both conversions, and the Reds were up for the fight again.
Then came Cahill’s try: he broke down the right wing and passed the ball inside to a supporting player, but when a Wigan defender tried to block his pass, he knocked it back into Cahill’s hands, who raced away under the sticks in a thrilling 60-metre score.
The final plays were all for the Reds now, and within minutes they were back to the Wigan line. A shrewd pass from Lee Foster sent Danny Jones over for his second try of the day, again Ross Cahill adding the extra two.
Sadly the clock would beat Little Hulton with the Wigan side and its coaching staff praying for the final whistle.
The final score in this exciting but strange game was Wigan Bulldogs 40 Little Hulton Reds 38.
Little Hulton reds entertain Fitton Hill this weekend at Peel Park.
As for the juniors, Little Hulton Reds Under 14s side is coming on well but need a few more players.
Any Year 9 child interested in trying the great game of rugby league, please ring Alan Hargreaves on 07732558818 or turn up at Peel Park from 6.30pm on Tuesday dressed in suitable clothes and bring plenty of drinks.
