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Sat 07 Oct 2023
Northwich
1st XV
41
17
Tries: S Williams, J Walsh, M EdwardsConversions: D Harvey
Wirral Youngsters Face Stern test At Northwich
Andrew Broadbent8 Oct 2023 - 21:12
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With 7 players making their debut and a further 5 with less than 10 games under their belt; the inexperienced side put up a good display against more experienced opposition.
For this Cheshire Cup game at Northwich, Wirral made a significant number of changes to their side with 7 players in their squad making their debut with 5 other players having played less than 10 games for the first team over the last four seasons. The playing conditions were ideal given the unusually fine October weather.
In the first minutes of the game, Wirral were playing in the home 20m area but only stout Northwich defence kept Wirral at bay, but applying pressure through their forwards, Wirral forced their way over the line with a try by SCOTT WILLIAMS on his debut, the conversion was missed. 0-5 (3 mins).
In the period up to half time the experienced Northwich team exerted their pressure and took the lead in the 19th minute with a converted try, 10-5. It was apparent that the Northwich pack was much stronger than the young Wirral team. The international flavour of the home team then took control of the half with 3 further tries all converted to lead 31-5 at half time. Wirral did have a chance to score but when progressing well dropped the ball which enabled Northwich to score from a backs move from 80m out.
At the start of the second half, it was Wirral who scored first when a maul close to the home line resulted in JACK WALSH scoring his first try for Wirral from combined forward play in the corner, which was converted from the touch line by DAN HARVEY, 31-12 (42 mins). SCOTT WILLIAMS went off injured and was replaced by TOM SMITH on his debut. On 47 minutes further changes made with props ADAM DON and DAN CARROL were exchanged for HARRY WALMSLEY and MATT MACLAREN. Much as Northwich continued to attack, scoring opportunities by the home team were lost along with stern tackling from Wirral. Several minutes later, Wirral made further changes DAN HARVEY and ALFIE JONES leaving the field of play with WILL SPRIGGS and JOHNNY CARROL coming on to the field, which meant that all the Wirral squad had had a game that afternoon.
Northwich continued to attack and whilst they had chances to score, continued defensive tackling by Wirral kept the score down until two further long distance by the speedy winger increased the Northwich lead to 41-12. However the final try of the game came from Wirral having
put pressure on the Northwich line with scrum half, MARK EDWARDS crossing over to score, however the conversion was missed.
Given the team Wirral had out this was a good result for this young, inexperienced team against the Northwich league side and gives the Wirral selectors something to think about when the teams meet in the league later in the season.
Richard McNeil
In the first minutes of the game, Wirral were playing in the home 20m area but only stout Northwich defence kept Wirral at bay, but applying pressure through their forwards, Wirral forced their way over the line with a try by SCOTT WILLIAMS on his debut, the conversion was missed. 0-5 (3 mins).
In the period up to half time the experienced Northwich team exerted their pressure and took the lead in the 19th minute with a converted try, 10-5. It was apparent that the Northwich pack was much stronger than the young Wirral team. The international flavour of the home team then took control of the half with 3 further tries all converted to lead 31-5 at half time. Wirral did have a chance to score but when progressing well dropped the ball which enabled Northwich to score from a backs move from 80m out.
At the start of the second half, it was Wirral who scored first when a maul close to the home line resulted in JACK WALSH scoring his first try for Wirral from combined forward play in the corner, which was converted from the touch line by DAN HARVEY, 31-12 (42 mins). SCOTT WILLIAMS went off injured and was replaced by TOM SMITH on his debut. On 47 minutes further changes made with props ADAM DON and DAN CARROL were exchanged for HARRY WALMSLEY and MATT MACLAREN. Much as Northwich continued to attack, scoring opportunities by the home team were lost along with stern tackling from Wirral. Several minutes later, Wirral made further changes DAN HARVEY and ALFIE JONES leaving the field of play with WILL SPRIGGS and JOHNNY CARROL coming on to the field, which meant that all the Wirral squad had had a game that afternoon.
Northwich continued to attack and whilst they had chances to score, continued defensive tackling by Wirral kept the score down until two further long distance by the speedy winger increased the Northwich lead to 41-12. However the final try of the game came from Wirral having
put pressure on the Northwich line with scrum half, MARK EDWARDS crossing over to score, however the conversion was missed.
Given the team Wirral had out this was a good result for this young, inexperienced team against the Northwich league side and gives the Wirral selectors something to think about when the teams meet in the league later in the season.
Richard McNeil
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