8. Harry Ball, 9. Jack Brown, 10. Rueben Collier, 11. Jack Barton, 12. Jack Hilton, 13. Billy Halliwell, 14. Peter Vickers, 15. Tom Beesley

WiganlTries:l

Billy Halliwell 2, Jimmy Barr, Benny Rouse

WiganlGoals:l

Dicky Rothwell 1

Two significant changes occurred as Wigan began the 1902-1903 season. After a year playing at Springfield Park sharing with Wigan Borough FC, Wigan now had their own new ground of Central Park close to the Wigan Central train station which closed in 1964. This would become their home until they left for the current DW Stadium home in 1999.

Also the Lancashire and Yorkshire Senior Competition merged with the clubs rejoining the top seven Lancashire and Yorkshire sides that had broke away twelve months earlier to form their own combined league. The new leagues were two divisions of 18 sides and Wigan were in the First of those two divisions.

This first match at Central Park saw 9,000 attend and Jimmy Barr had the honour of claiming the grounds first try after just three minutes. Dicky Rothwell converted for a 5-0 lead. Further tries from Benny Rouse and Billy Halliwell helped Wigan into a 11-5 lead at half time. Second Half saw a nip and tuck first few minutes but a second try from Billy Halliwell settled Wigan down at 14-5 up. Although Batley got a late consolation try, Wigan were not to be denied a good christening of their new ground.