Adnams Late Late Try Seals Wirral Win

Whilst last week’s came against Blackburn was exciting, this game surpassed that with JOE ADNAMS
scoring in the last seconds of the game to seal victory.
It had been anticipated that this game would be called off given the snow that had fallen in the
North but the weather had changed and it rained from Wirral until well after the end of the game.
Fortunately we were playing on a very wet 3g pitch, their 2 nd team game had to be postponed
because of ground conditions, this match and Manchester v Blackburn were the only games played
in Division 5 in the North of England (West and East Sections).
Wirral had to make a number of changes to the side with the back row now being, MATT RINGER,
JOSH STEAD and CHRIS SPEED, DAN CARROL was hooking. In the backs the centres were BEN
BROOKS and RHYS JAMES with MARK EDWARDS playing full back. The subs were LEWIS HAYES, WILL
MORRIS and JOE FURY (making his debut).
Wirral travelled with a full bus supported by many second team players who very vociferous during
game along with supporters who made the 2 hour journey to Penrith.
Wirral played against the wind and the rain during the first half; fortunately most of the spectators
were able to take the comfort of the stand.
The first break in the game was when RHYS JAMES broke and passed onto MATT RINGER who ran
some 40m before being tackled on the 20m line, Wirral retained the ball and a pass to TOM
AKEHURST saw the scrum half cross close to the posts, duly converted by BEN BROOKS, 0-7 (9mins).
Good tackling by Wirral stemmed Penrith in mid field but in possession made progress up the field
before RHYS JAMES himself crossed 10m from the posts and again converted by BEN BROOKS, 0-14
(18 mins).
Although Wirral had further progress up the field and kicked ahead, however this was collected by
Penrith, who spread the ball wide and the centre made good progress down the left before passing
to the left winger (Rob Coward) who had a run in to the try line, 8m from the c/flag but the
conversion was missed, 5-14 (26mins). Penrith came more into the game and play was halted 25m
out, they declined the kick at goal, took the scrum and a blind side grubber kick saw the right winger
(Nick Dudson) win the race to collect and dive over in the corner, the conversion was missed, 10-14
(30mins). Penrith were using the wind more effectively now. Again Wirral got back up the field and
on the Penrith line but a penalty gave the home team the chance to clear. LEWIS HAYES came on for
DAN CARROL and then it was half time- with both teams pleased to go to their changing rooms for 5
mins.
The second half started badly for Wirral, firstly kicked dead from the kick off and then 2 minutes
later, kicked long direct into touch only for the referee to bring play back for the ball being passed
from outside 20m area.
On 55mins, Wirral drop the ball from a kick through giving pressure to Penrith and from this play
Penrith score wide out to take the lead and conversion was missed 15-14 -55mins. On 60m Penrith
extended the lead with a try (try bonus point) by a prop running in from 20m, again the conversion
was missed 20-14 (60mins). SAM VICKERS came off to be substituted by DAN CARROL. WILL MORRIS
on for CHRIS SPEED.
On 62 mins Wirral should have scored when the right winger dropped the ball 4 m out. We now saw
greater progress from Wirral and on 69 mins after concentrated play and keen tackling by Penrith

the ball came out wide and BEN BROOKS crossed in the corner but could not make the conversion,
20-19, this was Ben’s first try for two seasons. Joe Fury came on to make his debut.
Penrith came back and were rewarded with a kickable penalty 20m out in front of the posts which
they converted to extend their lead to 23-19.
Back came Wirral with play now in the Penrith half, with a couple of minutes to go, Wirral were
rewarded a penalty, declined the kick for goal and kicked for touch, with line out 5m from the
Penrith line, again collected by HAYDEN LONG (who had a superb game), pushed forward but were
repelled, good control by WIRRAL as Penrith pushed play back to the 20m area, again Wirral
progressed and after a couple of minutes of play the ball came to JOE ADNAMS and he crashed over
the line (try bonus point), the conversion was missed and this was the end of the game, 23-24 (79
mins).
Overall a good win for Wirral in difficult and windy conditions along with a ball that was very wet
and difficult to catch. With Manchester losing to Blackburn, Wirral move up to 4 th in the league
which makes next week’s game at Manchester interesting given they are now in 5th.
Richard McNeil