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Sat 16 Sep 2023 · Regional 1 North West
Leek
1st XV
17
22
Tries: T Akehurst, D Harvey, E RobinsonConversions: J Annetts (2)Sent Off: J AnnettsYellow Carded: S Gratton
Robinson's First Try for The Firsts Seals the Win
Andrew Broadbent18 Sep 2023 - 14:25
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A tight game at the league newcomers resulted in a Wirral win.
For the 3rd game of the season we were away to Leek who were playing their first season at Level 5 rugby and they indicated in their programme that this was their first fixture against Wirral, however an older player felt that Wirral had played them many seasons ago.
Wirral made a couple of changes to last week’s team and we welcome back MARK WILLIAMS following his games for the armed services, he replaced BEN BROOKS, who was not available this week. On the other wing, GEORGE BURROWS had to stand down as he has a knee injury (may need surgery) and was replaced by EVAN ROBINSON (3rd senior game). The forwards were the same as last week and on the subs bench we were rejoined by MARK EDWARDS (2nd senior game).
The match kicked off with Wirral looking to play an expansive their game and after 8 minutes scored when MARK WILLIAMS broke through the Leek defence and although tackled passed onto JAMES ANNETTS who then passed onto TOM AKEHURST who ran through (10m) to score under the posts, converted by JAMES ANNETTS. 0-7. A further opportunity then arrived but Wirral were unable to capitalise. On 14 minutes when close to the Leek line a penalty stopped the move which resulted in STUART GRATTON being sin binned. Within a minute, Leek scored when an attack down the wing resulted in scrum half Joe Byrne scoring in the corner, the conversion was not made, 5-7.
Wirral were soon on the attack and a try in the corner by DAN HARVEY was disallowed as the linesman indicated a foot in touch. On 23 minutes CHRIS CROWLEY left the field injured with a hamstring injury, DAN HARVEY moved to fly half with MARK EDWARDS playing on the right wing. In the first half, Wirral made a number of breaks but could not get the final pass away when try scoring was possible. The score at half time showed Wirral with a small lead, 5-7, with Wirral’s defence holding out against a bigger pack.
ADAM DON (boot problems) came off to be substituted by LEWIS HAYES. Again pressure came from Wirral but could not get the final pass away as they sat for a time on the Leek line. In the period up to 51 mins, Wirral had line outs and scrums close to the Leek line but could not force their way over. 52 mins saw SAM BROADBENT on for STUART GRATTON. Finally on 55 minutes, Wirral managed to score with DAN HARVEY crossing in the corner, the conversion was missed, 5-12. A minute later a break down the left enabled Leek scrum half Joe Byrne to score his second try in the corner and was well converted by Sam Brereton to level the scores at 12-12.
On 56 minutes, CONNOR MURRAY left the field with leg injury and replaced by STUART GRATTON. On 65 minutes when under pressure, Wirral kicked deep to just over the half way line and the ball was not caught by Leek; it was allowed to bounce and young EVAN ROBINSON following through caught the ball on the bounce and raced 50m to score 10m from the posts- his first try for the first team. Converted by JAMES ANNETTS to increase the lead to 12-19.
On 55 minutes, Leek scored again from a line out where allegedly Wirral had touched the ball, which gave Leek the ball. From this situation Leek took a quick line out and scored again in the corner, however the conversion was missed 17-19 (67 minutes). Wirral had to be on their guard against a Leek side who were keen to keep their winning home record and wherever possible Wirral were looking to get the ball down into the Leek half. The minutes passed by with both teams striving for another score. In the last couple of minutes, Wirral had a penalty a few metres in from touch but 30+ out, decision taken to go for goal, score and then catch the kick, kick out and match over. JAMES ANNETTS converted 17-22 (79 minutes). Kick off came collected and kicked into touch.
The teams left the pitch but a Leek player started a scuffle with JAMES ANNETTS, who finished matters resulting in both players being red carded. I did not see the incident so can’t comment any more as I reported the score into authorities on the other side of the field.
Next week, with a changed side Wirral are at home to STOCKPORT, please note the kick off will be at 2.30pm in view of the England World Cup game in late afternoon.
Richard McNeil
Wirral made a couple of changes to last week’s team and we welcome back MARK WILLIAMS following his games for the armed services, he replaced BEN BROOKS, who was not available this week. On the other wing, GEORGE BURROWS had to stand down as he has a knee injury (may need surgery) and was replaced by EVAN ROBINSON (3rd senior game). The forwards were the same as last week and on the subs bench we were rejoined by MARK EDWARDS (2nd senior game).
The match kicked off with Wirral looking to play an expansive their game and after 8 minutes scored when MARK WILLIAMS broke through the Leek defence and although tackled passed onto JAMES ANNETTS who then passed onto TOM AKEHURST who ran through (10m) to score under the posts, converted by JAMES ANNETTS. 0-7. A further opportunity then arrived but Wirral were unable to capitalise. On 14 minutes when close to the Leek line a penalty stopped the move which resulted in STUART GRATTON being sin binned. Within a minute, Leek scored when an attack down the wing resulted in scrum half Joe Byrne scoring in the corner, the conversion was not made, 5-7.
Wirral were soon on the attack and a try in the corner by DAN HARVEY was disallowed as the linesman indicated a foot in touch. On 23 minutes CHRIS CROWLEY left the field injured with a hamstring injury, DAN HARVEY moved to fly half with MARK EDWARDS playing on the right wing. In the first half, Wirral made a number of breaks but could not get the final pass away when try scoring was possible. The score at half time showed Wirral with a small lead, 5-7, with Wirral’s defence holding out against a bigger pack.
ADAM DON (boot problems) came off to be substituted by LEWIS HAYES. Again pressure came from Wirral but could not get the final pass away as they sat for a time on the Leek line. In the period up to 51 mins, Wirral had line outs and scrums close to the Leek line but could not force their way over. 52 mins saw SAM BROADBENT on for STUART GRATTON. Finally on 55 minutes, Wirral managed to score with DAN HARVEY crossing in the corner, the conversion was missed, 5-12. A minute later a break down the left enabled Leek scrum half Joe Byrne to score his second try in the corner and was well converted by Sam Brereton to level the scores at 12-12.
On 56 minutes, CONNOR MURRAY left the field with leg injury and replaced by STUART GRATTON. On 65 minutes when under pressure, Wirral kicked deep to just over the half way line and the ball was not caught by Leek; it was allowed to bounce and young EVAN ROBINSON following through caught the ball on the bounce and raced 50m to score 10m from the posts- his first try for the first team. Converted by JAMES ANNETTS to increase the lead to 12-19.
On 55 minutes, Leek scored again from a line out where allegedly Wirral had touched the ball, which gave Leek the ball. From this situation Leek took a quick line out and scored again in the corner, however the conversion was missed 17-19 (67 minutes). Wirral had to be on their guard against a Leek side who were keen to keep their winning home record and wherever possible Wirral were looking to get the ball down into the Leek half. The minutes passed by with both teams striving for another score. In the last couple of minutes, Wirral had a penalty a few metres in from touch but 30+ out, decision taken to go for goal, score and then catch the kick, kick out and match over. JAMES ANNETTS converted 17-22 (79 minutes). Kick off came collected and kicked into touch.
The teams left the pitch but a Leek player started a scuffle with JAMES ANNETTS, who finished matters resulting in both players being red carded. I did not see the incident so can’t comment any more as I reported the score into authorities on the other side of the field.
Next week, with a changed side Wirral are at home to STOCKPORT, please note the kick off will be at 2.30pm in view of the England World Cup game in late afternoon.
Richard McNeil
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