The pre-match snow didn’t deter most players from coming along and having a go – notable cry offs were Andrew Stevens who was actually snowed in, Kevin Wallace who said it was too cold for him and Nemo who didn’t want to upset their angry prop again.

In their place we had debuts for newcomers Hugh Waddell and Liam Nicholls whilst Denzil Irwin, Steven Relph and Phil Scott have all played against the Wizards before (for Silloth or the Fire Service) but this time pulled on the green jersey of Wigton. In addition, a few old heads in Darren Holt, Kevin Bethwaite and Phil Graham returned to the club after a long absence and Steven Smelly Carruthers – who is always going to play but usually forgets something (his boots, the babysitter, the day of the game, where he is) – this time forgot to not turn up!

Thanks to the recruiting skills of Messers Manihera and Hetherington, we not only had some amazing players on show, we actually had a bench and we loaned a player (Mog) to Tynedale. The inaccurate promise that only 0.3mm of rain was forecast to fall that morning (think the computer was set to Tenerife) was soon forgotten about and we were determined to win that horn.

Referee Mattox reluctantly got the game underway and once again it proved to be a competitive affair. There was early action on the wings as Josh Pool and Stuart Ward tested the temperature of the standing water on the pitch however a lot of ball was going to ground with no-one very keen to catch it. The Wizards’ experience and skill was starting to tell and after about 10 minutes Richard Postlethwaite opening the scoring with a strong run from full back. The Poss, sporting a lovely tea cosy on his bonce, then doubled his tally with another well timed run into the line before being subbed for being too good.

Phil Scott stepped into Poss’s full back position and didn’t take long to get on the score sheet himself – thinking about it, maybe we had an extra player than Tynedale as Poss (who later went back on) and Lama scored 6 of the 9 tries and they both played full back. Anyway, we won so it doesn’t matter. Our squad rotation tactic continued and Bethwaite and Pool were then replaced by a keen Jonny Lowe and a not so keen Steven Relph – who looked like he’d been on the weights until he took all 14 layers of clothes off.

Although the backs were getting all of the glory there was some hard work being done up front with Gary Davenport having more touches of the ball in the first half than he had all last season playing for the Wizards, Wanderers and at home in his back garden with the dog. His confidence was growing and he tried a cheeky show and go….he got the ‘show’ bit right but couldn't work out how to do the ‘go’ so we subbed him as well. The new back row formation of Liam Nicholls, Barry Henderson and Lance Hetherington was working well and covering good ground – Barry making it into the line at one point to create the extra man but then throwing a pass out to Relphy that was so far forward one of the colts nearly caught it.

Then Tynedale had their best chance of the game. A Wigton scrum in their 22 resulted in a pass out to the blindside that was intercepted by Tynedale skipper Craig Johnston. A pacey half back (20 years ago maybe), he must also have a lovely tea set at home as he pinned his lugs back behind his cosy and went for it – no one was going to catch him, he was clean through. Wizards centre’s Phil Graham and Stuart Hook looked at each other working out whether to bother giving chase then triathlete Phil burst into action. Exhibiting an unbelievable turn of pace – not seen at the Wigton club since Malcolm Jennings heard the bar was shutting – he took off across the lake-like turf to tackle Craig just short of the try line. No-one in the Tynedale team thought it necessary or worth supporting him so the ball was safely cleared.

Darren Holt was pulling the strings at fly half and in defence he gave a wonderful demonstration of how tackling is carried out in the league format of the game as he attempted to relieve a Tynedale ball carrier of his head and shoulders. Mattox was having none of it and awarded a penalty but credit to Tynedale they never kicked the ball all day and continued to attempt to batter through the Wigton pack. But today we were just too strong and we ran in another couple of tries before the break.

As the half time port was passed around to warm the cockles, the conversation was all about negotiating a reduction on the planned 20 minute second half. Sensing time running out and enjoying being on the winning team for a change, head coach Tane Manihera (injured) couldn't resist the urge to enter the fray. Donning Gillian’s white gym lycra, he was immediately involved spinning a pass out from the stand-off position that missed the entire back line and landed at the winger’s feet. Relphy was too cold to pick it up however and just did a little dance until someone else arrived to take the ball away.

A couple more tries were scored and with the score at 45-0 it was fair to say there was going to be no comeback today. Mattox blew the full time whistle to everyone’s delight and the sanctuary of the changing rooms was sought.

The clubhouse afterwards was bouncing – the colts had also played and the first XV had secured a bonus point victory. Christmas Jumpers were being proudly worn and the fair weather playing Wizards who were 'unavailable' today were finally found huddled next to the radiator talking about their past glories.

Everyone had a celebratory drink from the horn and Wardy got out his guitar for a sing song. The Tynedale team, bruised from losing the rugby, wiped the floor with us at Beer Pong and Flip a Cup – but that didn't matter the Wizards celebrated winning the Horn! We now get to keep the trophy until October 2016 when the next match against Tynedale Vets will be played.

Winners really are grinners – well done to all involved!