Wirral Succumb to Tigers Second Half Onslaught

This was the re arranged game from last week, where the game had to be cancelled due to the amount of snow on the ground, now that the snow had melted this left the ground with heavy going. From the squad that was selected for that game five players were not available and then from the team selected there were a further two withdrawals coupled with players having to play out of position. We had to name MATT SLATER as third substitute but fortunately he did not have to get his kit dirty.
Wirral played against the wind in the first half and soon became apparent that the home side were looking to attack at every opportunity and used the substantial possession to their advantage, however the attacks were repelled and one potential try was disallowed for crossing. ST took the lead with a long range penalty from Tom Outram. The home side continued to use the wind to good effect with long kicks into touch and were eventually rewarded with a second penalty from 35m again through Outram. 6-0 (15 minutes).
Gradually Wirral came into the game and from 47m out against the wind JAMES ANNETTS converted by way of the upright to reduce the arrears to 6-3 (18 mins). Immediately ST had another penalty kick but this went wide. At this stage Wirral set up their first attack when from a line out the Wirral pack played as one and advanced 30m up field to the astonishment of the ST South African coach and were now camped in the ST 20m area. The pressure was on ST as they defended their line, kicks for goal were turned down as first Wirral went for 5m scrums and line outs. Despite this pressure they could not force their way over the whitewash, eventually the ball was cleared downfield.
On 30 minutes, DANNY FURLONG came on for MATT BROWN who had a reoccurrence of his shoulder injury. With a deficit of 6-3 against the wind, the Wirral coaching team were happy with the situation knowing that they had the advantage of the wind in the second half. However in virtually the final play before half time, a ST attack led to them squeezing in at the corner through scrum half, Adam Shaw, the try was not converted. 11-3 at half time.
With JACK YARKER suffering a head injury, MATT BROWN had to return to the affray. The first try in the second half did not come until the 46th minute by which time ST had a monopoly of possession and had the backs to exploit this advantage. In the next 26 minutes, ST exploited this possession coupled with a number of injuries to other players to allow ST to run in a further 5 tries of which three were converted to leave the score 47-3 at 72 minutes. In the final seconds of the game, ST scored a penalty to bring up the 50 points.
Whilst there were missed tackles by Wirral alongside this there was excellent running by the ST backs and one is left to reflect how Wirral might have played with our original squad. This was a far different ST team that played at the Memorial Ground earlier in the season no doubt they have recruited well in the intervening months. The ST team selected to start last week only differed by 2 players – the wingers- yet one of their wingers had a starring role in the game.
Next week, Wirral are at home to Billingham, where the team will be looking to getting back to winning ways. We are hopeful that a number of players not available this week will be in contention for first team players and one anticipates that physio, CHRIS MALKIN will be busy this week in repairing the aches and pains.
Richard McNeil