The Local Derby Sees Wirral Do the Double Against Anselmians

This game saw both teams strive for points to maintain their places in the league. Anselmians played 6 of the players who played in the first game earlier in the season, whilst Wirral played 12.
There was only one change to the side that played last game at Manchester when ROB PEARL came into the team: the subs were DAN CARROL, LEWIS HAYES and BEN BROOKS.
In the first half Wirral played towards the main road and against the strong wind, however from their kick off they kicked it straight into touch. In the first 10 minutes, Anselmians looked to use the wind and after 10 minutes managed a 50-20 giving them their first attack in the Wirral 20m area.
Wirral managed to clear and then lost MARK EDWARDS through injury (hamstring) and was replaced by BEN BROOKS (on to the wing).
On 16 minutes, Wirral scored the first points when from back play in mid-field, MARK WILLIAMS collected and beat the opposing centre to run in from 50m to score under the posts, duly converted by JIMMY ANNETTS, 7-0.
Anselmians came into the game using the wind and poor clearance attempts by Wirral gave them further opportunities in the Wirral 20m area but after some play Wirral managed to clear. On 20 minutes, Wirral were rewarded with a penalty some 20m out, duly converted by JIMMY ANNETTS which extended the lead to 10-0, this score put JIMMY over the 1500 points for the Wirral from records completed.
On 24 minutes from a maul close to the Wirral line, Anselmians second row Sam Gregory crossed for a try, duly converted by David Morley (ex Wirral), 10-7. Further good play from the away side saw them almost score again but a good defensive play by Wirral held out the bigger Anselmians forwards. On the last play before half time, Anselmians had a penalty which was duly converted by Morley to level the
scores at half-time, 10-10.
The second half started with Wirral kicking the ball downfield and finding the touchline. Recovery was difficult as the wind appeared to be getting stronger. On 55 minutes DAN CARROL came on for ADAM DON and two minutes later JIMMY ANNETTS came off with an ankle injury, so LEWIS HAYES came on the field with CHRIS BURROWS moving to the wing with BEN BROOKS going to centre.
On 59 minutes with pressure from Anselmians they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts some 15m out, the kick was missed as it hit the upright and Wirral were able to clear.
Wirral were now looking to attack and great play down the left with the ball going through several pairs of hands before CHRIS CROWLEY passed onto TOM AKEHURST who burst through the gap and outpaced the cover to run the 20m to score in the corner, the conversion was missed, 15-10 (69 mins).
A great kick downfield from BEN BROOKS resulted in a missed catch by the opposition and a line out to Wirral, the ball was lost in the 20m area, Anselmians kicked for touch but it was caught by BEN BROOKS out on the wing, a long pass infield was caught by MARK WILLIAMS who took his time and from 35m drop kicked and scored, as it just crept over the cross bar to give Wirral a 18-10 lead. This kick meant that the opposition would have to score twice to win the game.
Anselmians came back and had chances to score but WIRRAL held them out; a claim for a try was disallowed as being held up over the line. CHRIS BURROWS was replaced by ADAM DON with 2 minutes to go. Finally Wirral cleared and with that the game was ended.

Wirral move back up to 4th with Manchester losing at Northwich and the stats show that Wirral have conceded the second lowest number of points at home in the league, 149. Wirral have won their last 7 games at home having only conceded 101 points in those matches whilst scoring 180 points.
There is no match next week, WIRRAL next play at Northwich on the 17 th February, kick off, 2.30pm.
Richard McNeil