Wirral Eventually Overcome a Stubborn Altrincham Kersal

The game had a number of players from last year’s first team squad not available or having moved on to pastures new.

The first minutes of the game saw Wirral on the attack and it was TOM PARRY who opened the scoring after 4 minutes with a fine individual run and side step and duly converted by JAMES ANNETTS. 0-7. Almost from the kick off, MARK WILLIAMS made a break only to be tackled 1 metre from the line but suffered an injury and was replaced by debutant JAMES MCKENZIE, who with his first pass after being on the field 30 seconds almost scored but his foot had touched the whitewash when in the act of scoring. In this early period, James had another opportunity to score, ROB PEARL scored but was brought back for a forward pass and other chances went begging.
On 22 minutes, Wirral finally scored their 2nd try when from close to the line, MATT LOON set up CRAIG HARVEY to cross over close to the posts, the try was converted 0-14.At this stage play was being contained in the AK half and in the 30th minute with a scrum some 35m in the middle of the pitch the ball was spun wide with MARK WILLIAMS (now back on but again replacing JAMES MCKENZIE) and JAMES ANNETTS prominent before releasing ROB PEARL down the right wing to score in the corner and well converted by JAMES ANNETTS from the touchline. 0-21. JAKE MCKENNA (debutant came on for CHRIS HUGHES (possible knee ligament) and finally MARK WILLIAMS succumbed to his ankle injury and came off for good.
In the remaining minutes of the half AK gained a foothold in the Wirral half and aided by some penalties in their favour advanced to 5m from the Wirral line. A catch and well controlled drive saw the home team score and well converted to leave the score at half time, 7-21.
Early in the second half, a slim JAMES REEVE came on for TOM PARRY and again JAMES MCKENZIE was denied a try. AK was putting pressure on Wirral as the penalty count went in their favour. Debutant JAMIE THOMPSON came on for RYAN STEAD and CHRIS TYSON for JAMES MCKENZIE with CHRIS BURROWS moving to the wing. On 58 minutes, ROB PEARL was yellow carded so CHRIS BURROWS moved back into the pack leaving the backs one short in defence. With Wirral down to 14 men, AK took advantage of this aided by a blatant forward pass when the left winger outstripped the defence to score wide out. 12-21-59 minutes.
This latest AK score sparked life back into Wirral and play for the rest of the game was in the AK half. On 68 minutes they were deemed to be held up over the line and from the resultant 5m scrum pushed forward, their scrum broke up and with the opposing scrum half standing beside ours for the whole of the push the referee had no option but to award a penalty try, which is now automatically worth 7 points. 12-28 -69 minutes. DANNY LIGHT (debutant) came on for JASON GREEN, JOSH CONNOLLY (debutant) for SAM BROADBENT with Craig now moving to centre. The final minutes of the game were all Wirral as they scored two well worked tries in the corner through CRAIG HARVEY and CHRIS CROWLEY. Both conversions were missed with one hitting the post and other shaving the other upright.
With injuries and unavailability’s along with others being available there will be a number of changes to the starting XV for next week’s opening league game against newly promoted Pocklington, kick off 3.00pm.