Wigton finished runners-up in the Violetbank Shield – an eight team tournament organised by the Annan club.

A last minute drop goal by Keith Hogg gave Annan an 8-7 victory over the Greens in an exciting final.

Wigton had won all their group games – against Stewartry, Upper Eden and Dumfries – to qualify for the final.

Annan had beaten Netherhall 10-0; Cambuslang 22-7 and Penrith seconds 24-5 to win Group A and set-up the final showdown against Wigton.

Wigton coach Malcolm Brown said: “It was a very satisfying work-out. Both teams were getting tired in the closing stages after a long day and I thought we might just be able to hang on.

“We took a mixed squad of players because of various reasons and we had first team players, members of the Wanderers and seven of last year’s Colts team.”

Wigton had opened with a 19-14 win against Stewartry with tries from David Hanabury, Andrew Logue and Chris Pattinson, who also landed two conversions.

Pattinson, playing at centre, was to emerge as Wigton’s player of the tournament.

The second game as even closer as Upper Eden scored first with a try from Ben Alderson.

But Wigton came back and a great break from Stuart Creighton sent Hanabury over for a try which Pattinson converted. Hanabury had been fouled in scoring the try so the referee gave a penalty re-start and Pattinson put it over from the halfway line.

Wigton clinched their place in the final by winning the last group game, 15-5 against Dumfries.

Hanabury’s break paved the way for Pattinson’s opening try and then second row forward Mathew Nichol was following a burst by skipper Matthew Atkinson to take the pass and score on his first senior appearance.

A great run by Peter Sutherland created the final try for Creighton.

In the final Annan scored first with an unconverted try but Wigton came back well to score a fine try by John Wright, a young winger who is sowing a lot of potential. Pattinson converted.

The players had already been through 90 minutes of group rugby so the final was a test of stamina and there were some tired legs out there.

It did seem as Wigton would hang on but in injury time Hogg put over the drop goal which won the Shield.

Results -  League A: Annan 10, Netherhall 0; Penrith 3, Cambuslang 0; Penrith 5, Netherhall 21; Annan 22, Cambuslang 7; Cambuslang 0 Netherhall 0; Annan 24, Penrith 5.

Lague B: Stewartry 3, Upper Eden 17; Stewartry 15, Wigton 19; Upper Eden 21, Dumfries 0; Upper Eden 5, Wigton 10; Stewartry 0, Dumfries 19; Wigton 17, Dumfries 12.

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