Late Try by Rhys James Secures 4-try Bonus Point

Following the last minute loss last week, Wirral were eager to secure the win on Saturday and it took until the last play of the day to achieve the try scoring bonus point.
There were changes to the side that played last week with MATT RINGER injured, STUART GRATTON returned to play and mixed his duties operating at hooker and other forward positions. DAN CARROL played in place of the injured JOE ADNAMS. JIMMY ANNETTS returned and thus CHRIS SPEED reverted to the subs bench alongside HARRY WALMSLEY and HARRY CROPPER-JOYCE (HCJ).
Wirral played towards the main road in the first half, kicking into the wind which was blowing across the pitch towards the cricket square area. After 4 minutes the ball came out to the left and good play along the backs saw BEN BROOKS put DAN HARVEY into space who then passed inside to RHYS JAMES whose speed avoided a tackle from behind leaving him a clear run to the line to score 20m from the posts, the conversion was missed, 5-0 (4 mins). Sandbach came back onto the attack and a kick through for the winger bounced into touch before
the player could reach. On 15 minutes, Wirral registered their second try when good play from JIMMY ANNETTS gave CHRIS CROWLEY the opportunity to run through and score, duly converted by JIMMY to increase the lead to 12-0. Sandbach came back into the game using their heavier pack and from a position 15m out were stopped close to the Wirral line; however this resulted in HAYDEN LONG receiving a sin-bin. From the next 5m line out, Sandbach mauled their way over the line, duly converted 12-7 (19 minutes). On 23 minutes, CHRIS SPEED came on for JIMMY ANNETTS and HCJ on for STUART GRATTON (who was struggling hooking with his leg injury). It was becoming obvious that both teams were having difficulty with line out balls to their respective calls, which was putting unnecessary pressure on the defences. DAN CARROL was replaced by HARRY WALMSLEY. In the minutes leading up to half time, Sandbach were registering the pressure but the Wirral defence held firm. Half time 12-7.
At the start of the second half, strong tackling by Wirral in mid field stemmed Sandbach making any movement up field. DAN CARROL came on for CHRIS DERMODY. On 53 minutes Wirral increased their lead with a penalty from close to the posts by JIMMY ANNETTS. A further attack from Wirral could have resulted in a try but play was brought back for a forward pass. Sandbach continued the pressure using their forwards to progress ground through their scrimmaging. The ball was with Sandbach, the ball was dropped and captain, CHRIS CROWLEY kicked forward picked up the ball and fed the ball to RHYS JAMES who raced through from 20m out to score, duly converted by JIMMY ANNETTS, 22-7 (61 minutes). The final change was CHRIS SPEED coming on for HCJ. Wirral continued to press but the Sandbach defence was stern and the minutes moved on towards the end of the game as the Wirral crowd were urging the team to get the fourth try and the bonus point. In virtually the last play of the day the ball came out along the line some 60m out reaching EVAN ROBINSON on the wing, he outpaced the immediate opposition before cover came across, a kick ahead into the 20m area was made, some Sandbach players were there but they did not clear the ball, a kick ahead by Robinson allowed RHYS JAMES to race ahead and to win the touch- down, the conversion was missed. The match finished with 5 points for Wirral keeping them in 4th place just 2 points ahead of Manchester.
Next week Wirral are at home against Stockport in a Cheshire Cup game, kick off 2.15pm.
It was good to note that both the 2 nd and 3 rd teams won on Saturday against Sandbach 2nds and New Brighton 2nds.

Richard McNeil