A RETURN to winning ways on the road has put a smile on the face of Kirkby Lonsdale's director of rugby James Hadwin.

After picking up just two away wins last season, and heavy losses at Vale of Lune and Widnes this year, Kirkby Lonsdale stormed to a 40-10 victory at winless Wigton on Saturday - their third win in five games.

And Hadwin, who played at scrum-half for both Kirkby Lonsdale and Kendal before suffering a serious ankle injury last September - casting a doubt over the future of the 33-year-old's playing career - admits his delight at picking up points on the road, coupled with a good team performance.

"We started well and built up a lead throughout," he said. "Away form has been a bit of a stumbling block so to get a win and pick up bonus points is really important.

"Everyone was pretty chuffed afterwards. I feel we maybe left a few points on the field and there are definitely a few things still to work on.

"Wigton is always a tough place to play. I didn't expect that margin of victory but it was a good team performance."

The away victory was the first since Kirkby Lonsdale went to Leigh on March 1 last year and Hadwin believes the added steel of Dave Barton at ten, Jack Akrigg at twelve and Tom Pickthall at thirteen - playing together for the first time this season - was an integral part of the win.

"It was crucial in attack and defence," he said. "They know each other and have played together a lot of times so it definitely made a difference to have them back."

The only downside of the win was a serious shoulder injury to Australian second row forward Nick Edney in the dying embers of the game.

Hadwin said Edney would need bolts and is expected to sidelined for a couple of months.

Kirkby travel to bottom club Eccles on Saturday in search of back-to-back away wins but Hadwin won't be taking anything for granted.

"We know they have a big pack and every time I've played down there it's been a tough game and hard to get a win," he said.