Wirral Lose Out In Final Quarter

For the final game before the season starts in earnest, Wirral had the small matter of a quarter final game at near neighbours Caldy, which was played on the school pitch across the road from the main ground.

Wirral took 22 players only for CHRIS TYSON to pull out during pre- match warm up and were short of 8 of last year’s first team squad with long term injuries to prop, MATT BROWN and winger, ALI BAKER . I understand that Caldy have strengthened their side during the close season and started with players who have recently had Premiership and Championship experience.

Wirral played with the wind and slope advantages in the first half and the early exchanges were contained to an area between the 20m areas. On 10 minutes with a 5m line out close to the Caldy line, the home side failed to catch cleanly and was taken by CHRIS HUGHES who had his back to the line and could have scored but quickly off loaded to PAUL LEWIS who crashed over from a couple of metres out, JAMES ANNETTS converted, 0-7.

Six minutes later Caldy equalised, where in open play the speedy Nick Royle received the ball and raced in from 55m, side stepping the Wirral full back to score under the posts, the try was converted. 7-7 (16 mins). CHRIS SPEED came on for JAMES REEVE.
Using the breeze to good effect Wirral were keeping Caldy pinned down in their half and from an astute grubber kick to 10m from the Caldy line came the next score. Although Caldy won the ball the resultant kick was charged down and TOM PARRY won the race to touch down after the referee had conferred with the linesman, the conversion was missed. 7-12 (28 mins).

Within 2 mins Wirral almost scored again when DAN HARVEY made a half-break and on being tackled managed to get his pass away to JAMES ANNETTS who went on one of his side stepping runs only to be hauled down metres from the line by the flying Royle. Regaining possession from that play, Wirral crossed the line only for the try to be disallowed for a forward pass, 33 mins. STEVE PENDERGAST came on for CHRIS HUGHES.

In the final minutes of the first half, Wirral had another opportunity to score but the ball did not go to hand and the chance was missed leaving Wirral 7-12 ahead at half time.

At the start of the second half, MIKE LUDBROOK, the veteran player reminded me that “Wirral need to be on their guard this half given that Caldy had the wind and the slope!” Thanks Mike.

On 50mins with Caldy using the wind effectively, Caldy won the line out and passed the ball wide, the forward pass was not seen by the officials but from the resultant play the Caldy forwards made progress towards the line before one of them reached out to touch down. The try was converted to give them the lead for the first time. 14-12 (51mins). CHRIS HUGHES and JAMES REEVE came on for STEVE PENDERGAST and CHRIS SPEED respectively.

Three minutes later came an early contender for try of the season when Wirral had play just in the Caldy half when CRAIG HARVEY made a half-break before a pass round his back found the supporting DAN HARVEY who then outpaced the CALDY defence from 30m out to score in the corner, the try was not converted. 14-17. TIM HODSON came on for PAUL LEWIS.

With play down in the Wirral 20m area as Caldy used the wind effectively with long raking kicks from their hew fly half from Chester, a scrum won by Caldy saw the ball spun left and slick passing saw the left winger run in unopposed for a try, which was not converted. 19-17 (60 mins). Wirral were still in this game and continued to break through the home defence and on one such occasion, MATT LOON appeared to be clear but was tackled under the posts (65mins). A quickly taken penalty by Caldy (of which there were few in the game) gave them the opportunity to carry the ball downfield some 85 metres.

On 68 mins Caldy increased their lead with their fourth try, when in possession close to the Wirral line and after a number of thrusts were able to pick up and dive over, the try was converted. 26-17.

With the game out of reach, Wirral made a number of changes to give all their replacements a run out. MIKE LUDBROOK, MARK GIDMAN and CHRIS SPEED came on for JEREMY REEVE, SIMON FLAVELL and TIM HODSON respectively. Caldy were now in full control but missed the opportunity to score when great defensive tackling stifled their attack. With the last play of the game, Caldy were awarded a scrum 10m out, where their pack now pushed the much lighter Wirral pack following the recent replacements over the line for their 5th try, the conversion was made to give Caldy a flattering 33-17 victory.

Wirral could be pleased with the first 65 minutes of the game and the pressure of playing against the elements began to take its toll. They learned much from this game and should give the team the confidence for the start of the league programme which begins next Saturday, away at Rossendale.

Richard McNeil