The Strong Wind was a factor in this Wirral Win

Since the last home game against Kendal the ground has improved substantially and with the strong
winds in evidence this is doing much to dry up the pitch. However the strong winds prevailing did
not help this game as Penrith were keen to avenge the late win we achieved at Penrith two months
ago.
Wirral had to make a number of changes to the team which played at Sandbach last week, captain
CHRIS CROWLEY had to stand down due to a knee tendon problem, thus DAN HARVEY moved to fly
half allowing MARK EDWARDS to come into the team at wing. On the other wing, TOM COLE made
his first start of the season. In the backs, JOE ADNAMS was unavailable thus DAN CARROL started.
CHRIS BURROWS was unavailable following a shoulder injury last week thus MATT DALTON made his
first start of the season. The substitutes were WILL MORRIS, HARRY CROPPER-JOYCE and young prop
JOE FURY (making his first league match).
With Chris not being available HAYDEN LONG was captaining the side. The club obviously lost the
toss as we played the first half towards the club house with the benefit of the very strong wind.
In the early play, Wirral had plenty of pressure on Penrith who tackled well to keep the home team
out. On 12 minutes had another line out 10m from the line which Wirral won and pushed forward
and were rewarded with CHRIS SPEED getting his first try of the season some 10m from the
touchline, the conversion just failed 5-0 (12 minutes). On 20 minutes, Wirral made a number of
attempts on the Penrith line through attacks from HAYDEN LONG, LEWIS HAYES and the two props,
eventually HAYDEN LONG crossed to touchdown and duly converted by MARK WILLIAMS.
12-0 25 minutes. On 27 minutes a backs move gave MARK EDWARDS the chance to score from 30m
out only for the try to be disallowed for a forward pass.
Penrith came back into game as they used their forwards to make progress slowly down the field
and had chances close to the Wirral line with matters being resolved with a penalty in Wirral’s
favour. On 35m HARRY CROPPER-JOYCE came on for LEWIS HAYES (slight knee injury), thus MATT
DALTON moved up to second row. Half time 12-0 to Wirral with all the harder work to be done in
the second half.
At the start of the next half, JOE FURY came on for DAN CARROL. The game started with both
linesmen running the same side! Wirral were now looking to move the ball to make progress and
after 9 minutes the third try came from TOM COLE, who showed his skills by cutting inside the
defender and touching down 25m later, good work from ADAM DON and CHRIS SPEED in setting up
the position for TOM. The conversion was missed, 17-0 (50 mins).
A number of penalties (2) were granted to Wirral, the last one was quickly taken by TOM AKEHURST
who took advantage of the situation to race through some 40m to score under the posts, duly
converted by MARK WILLIAMS, 24-0 (53 mins)- this was the try bonus point score.
Penrith came more into the game as they used the forwards and the wind to make ground progress
and pressure on the Wirral line resulted in Penrith player, Archie Rattray crossing from a few metres
out to score, the conversion was missed, 24-5 (54 minutes).On 57 minutes, LEWIS HAYES returned to
the game with JOSH STEAD rested in view of the substantial amount of tackling he had undertaken.
On 61 minutes, WILL MORRIS came on for DAN HARVEY, going to full back as RHYS JAMES took over
at fly-half.
Penrith then had a try disallowed for a forward pass obvious to all watching. On 70 minutes, Penrith
scored their second try as their forwards mauled their way over the line and was scored by Scott

Lancaster and duly converted to reduce the lead to 24-12. Wirral were now seeing less of the ball
and could not make the progress required to move down field as Penrith applied more pressure
through their forwards. On 70 minutes, DAN CARROL came back on for JOE FURY who had enjoyed
his debut at first team level.
In a fortnights time Wirral play their final league game of the season against second placed
ROSSENDALE at home who will be pressing for a promotion place being only 3 points behind
Macclesfield! Wirral will finish 4 th , we are 10 points ahead of Manchester but only 9 points behind
Blackburn. It is regretted that Sandbach and Northwich have now been relegated following
Saturday’s games.
Wirral’s man of the match was the tackling sensation MATT RINGER.
Keep watching the web site for details of our Papa John’s competition.
Richard McNeil