Tries From James and Robinson seal Win

From the team that played at Anselmians, Wirral made a number of changes with a further change having to be made on match-day. There were considerable changes to the team that played at NORTHWICH three weeks ago.
BEN BROOKS was able to rejoin the backs and be Captain, CHRIS CROWLEY on his 100th appearance and recovering from his hamstring injury played at fly half. In the forwards NICK HEARN was unavailable as his wife had given birth to a daughter on Friday and further good news, Sophie who ran the bar until a few weeks ago, has given birth to a son earlier in the week, congratulations to both families. CHRIS SPEED was due to play in the back row but due to the rainfall problems he was called into work by United Utilities, his employer, so HARRY CROPPER-JOYCE joined the back row (having played for the 2nds on Friday night against Caldy 2nds), also in the back row was ROB PEARL. The subs were EVAN ROBINSON, DON CARROL and returning to the squad was JOSH STEAD.
With the rain we have seen in recent weeks, the ground conditions were heavy but no puddles showed. During the game the rain was merely spitting which was good for the spectators given it had been the Past Players luncheon. There was a slight wind blowing towards to the clubhouse and Wirral played towards the main road in the first half.
The game started with NORTHWICH on the attack having been awarded a number of penalties, which kept play in the Wirral half. After 10 minutes, Wirral managed to get play downfield with both teams testing each other defences. On 20 minutes, DAN CARROL came on for second row JACK WALSH (injured shoulder) with JOE ADNAMS moving into the second row. On 25 minutes, Wirral took the lead with a penalty from JIMMY ANNETTS from 25m out in the centre of the field.
Wirral now put some pressure on NORTHWICH and at one stage, MARK EDWARDS touched down from close play but the referee disallowed the touch-down. There were no further scores in the first half as both teams fought out the game in mid field with both teams kicking for position.
The second half started with Wirral playing with more intent and on 46 minutes Wirral extended their lead to 10-0 when pressure in the NORTHWICH 20m area told with Wirral breaking through the up until then resolute NORTHWICH defence; from 25m the ball was spun to the right and a pass from JIMMY ANNETTS to RHYS JAMES saw the young full back weave through a couple of players to score 15m from the corner flag, the try was converted by JIMMY ANNETTS.
Four minutes later NORTHWICH had an easy kicking opportunity but decided to take the scrum and two moves later the ball was lost and Wirral cleared. On 60 minutes HARRY CROPPER-JOYCE was replaced by JOSH STEAD (back into the squad following his doctor exams), five minutes later CHRIS CROWLEY left the field with cramp. DAN HARVEY went to fly–half with EVAN ROBINSON coming on on the wing. Wirral were at this stage putting much pressure on the NORTHWICH line and although receiving penalties as they pressed for the line, they could not break through the NORTHWICH defence despite their collapsing of the scrum/maul. With play 20m out, Wirral won the scrum and TOM AKEHURST kicked forward 20m and EVAN ROBINSON raced through to beat the opposing players and touch down in the corner, the conversion was missed. 15-0 (68 mins).
On 75 minutes, MATT RINGER (Wirral’s man of the match) was replaced by HARRY CROPPER-JOYCE. In the final minutes, Wirral were looking to clear when the kick was charged down and NORTHWICH players raced through to pick up and score through Tom Husbands; which was converted by the full back, 15-7 (77 minutes). NORTHWICH continued to push on hoping to get a losing bonus point but Wirral held out.
Wirral have now climbed to 4th in the league and next Saturday are away to Kendal who are currently 6th and this should prove to be a difficult game.
Richard McNeil