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LATEST NEWS
4 August: Concern over the Teams match on Sunday against the Dragons has eased, the Nomads delayed flight from Dubai landed at 11.30am this morning. Their coach gave a press release to The EIRL Telegraph before heading back to the Oasis. He said "Many people in the game thought we were mad to go away a such a vital early stage in the season, but I can assure the fans that this was no holiday. In our last couple of games we have been in contention up until the last 15 mins, then tired badly and let the game slip away. The players knew they had let themselves and the supporters down. We have worked hard for the last 7 days on fitness and stamina in 120 degrees heat and 95% humidity. The players look fitter and faster, we would all like to thank his Highness Sheikh Ya Money for his hospitality. I've not yet decided on the make up of the team for Sunday, we have a few injuries to assess and will know more after tomorrows training session."
When asked about the current speculation of players wishing to leave the club, he replied " As far as I'm concerned all players are fully committed to playing for this club, I have no plans to release any players.
I will say that should any players become available who would be an asset to this club I have the backing of his Highness to try to acquire them."
Unconfirmed reports are circulating that Tommy Martyn may refuse to play so as not to jeopardise any possible move to a "big" club his agent is trying to arrange.
12 July: WIGAN NOMADS 26 SALFORD BLUES 34
The game started with Blues making an error on their 1st play. Nomads attacked the line and a dangerous kick into the in goal was only just grounded by St.Hilaire ahead of Wells. Nomads surrendered possession from the drop out. Pratt was caught metres from the line on the last play of Wigan's next attack, Salford moved down field and caught the Nomads defence offside with a quick play the ball. Five attacks inside the 10 metres found no way through, on the sixth Clinch put a grubber behind the posts, Wainwright reacted quickest for the try and Clinch added the 2 pts.
Farrell pulled 2pts back with a penalty on 10 mins for ball stealing, then two plays later Wells lost the ball only 5 meters from the line trying to force the pass to an unmarked Dallas. On 15 mins Pratt came inside and beat the defence to streak clear and touch down under the posts for a 6 pointer.
Indiscipline allowed Clinch to level the scores at 8-8 with an easy penalty. Both teams then made handling errors when the defence looked to open, but it was Salford who scored next when Sampson crashed over from 5 meters after the backs had stretched the defence. Andy Farrell was forced into touch in Wigan's own half, from the scrum Salford moved the ball quickly and two plays later Poching dummied a pass to go in under the posts. Just before half time Dallas knocked on inside his own 10 meters but the defence held solid. Half time score 8-18.
Salford carried on where they left off when Blakeley followed up his own kick to score within 3 mins of the restart. Wigan were trapped in their own half by a terrific display of defence when they received a dubious penalty for an infringement on the 5th tackle. Dallas broke clear but was shadowed by Sullivan and as the tackle was made he released the ball to Newton, who had a clear run to the posts. Wigan's defence held out twice more under intense pressure from a rampant Salford assault.
The pressure was relieved with a penalty for a high tackle, from tap Wells made the extra man out wide and scored in the corner, 18-24. On the hour Salford failed to clear their own half, Wigan drove the ball to the posts. Long moved behind Newton on the last play who picked the ball up and dived under the marker to touch the ball down on the line. Farrell levelled the scores 24-24. A penalty with 15 mins left put Wigan in front.
They held on until 7 mins from time when a missed tackle let Poching race clear under the posts. Wigan then seemed to tire dramatically in the last 5 mins and could not keep up with the constant Salford onrush.
Again the line was breached by Clinch on a cross field run to the corner, he put the ball down in the corner but failed with the kick. Salford played the last few minutes out with a healthy 8pt cushion, when the hooter sounded the Wigan players hardly had the energy to get off the field.
The Wigan coach was not available for comment as he was still locked in the dressing room with the players when going to press !!!!!!
10 July: NOMADS GET GOOD NEWS ON AND OFF THE FIELD
The Nomads today finalised the take over of the JJB Stadium, with immediate effect it will now be known as "The Oasis". The mystery backer of the club can now be revealed, he is Saudi Crown Prince Sheikh Ya Money. There will be a gradual transfer of non-playing decisions handed over to a yet to be appointed Chief Exec and board of directors. The Prince stated "I wish the coach to concentrate on the playing and training side of the club. He will have the finances to enable him to make a positive move in the transfer market. Together we will take this club to the top."
A range of activities will be announced for the coming season including camel racing. A source at the club denied that the take-over was because oil had been found at the ground' he said "That was just left over after the groundsman had serviced the mower."
The good news on the playing side is that Tommy Martyn's injury which was a first thought to be cruciate ligament damage is only a severe sprain. He would have been out for 6 weeks had Terry Newton not raided the Bulls freezers at half-time and stole all the frozen pies to pack the knee in. Now he should be back playing within 3 weeks. Wigan have an excellent reserve though in the shape of an up and coming youngster Phil Jones, there are no other injury worries ahead of Wednesdays game.
1 July: Wigan Nomads 8 Hull Giants 20
With the Dragons losing this game quickly shot Hull into the hot favourites category for the Premiership title as they overcame the Wigan challenge at the JJB Stadium. Leading 14-4 at the break Hull finished up comfortable winners with tries from Langer, O'Neill and Raper and Henry Paul, whose kicking was so off form last week notched 4 from 4. Wigan's only scores came from Maher and Sibbitt tries.
10 June: With Hull winning it really didn't matter who won this game, a good job really as they slumped against Widnes. Andy Farrell still maintains his 100% kicking record.
3 June: Despite battling bravely, the Nomads failed to upset the Dragons and need Hull to lose next week and to win by a large margin against Widnes.
27 May: After last weeks great win, it was back down to earth as Hull hammered the Nomads 36-12.
20 May: Wigan's first competitive game ended in a convincing 30-10 win against York.
13 May: Wigan had a week off from the Shaun Edwards Cup to enjoy the sun
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