There were several changes to the side following the Cheshire Vase game against Altrincham Kersal last week, the real point of interest being the second row pairing of Tim Hodson and Paul Sherlock, with Chris Tyson as substitute.

Wirral kicked off with the breeze behind them as they played towards Thornton Hough and in the first tackle of the game, Robbie Pearl went down injured, there was some delay before the game restarted with Rob apparently none the worse. During the first few minutes Wirral exerted pressure and from a penalty some 20m out and 15m in from touch, Wirral duly converted through Danny Harvey (DH). 3-0

New Brighton (NB) came more into the game and astute kicking from both sides gained valuable ground. After 13 minutes Ollie Atkinson (now aka “Tom Williams” of Harlequins fame) left the field with a badly split lip and internal cut, which required a number of stitches. He was replaced by Richard Lloyd Jones.

On 24 minutes after a series of penalties, Robbie Pearl was penalised in front of the posts and received a yellow card, the penalty was duly converted by Paul Roberts. 3-3. Three minutes later, Wirral took the lead when pressure led to a ball won by the bigger NB pack not being caught by their backs, this was picked up on the bounce by Ali Baker who ran 50m unopposed to score under the posts, this was also converted by DH. 10-3

Whilst NB maintained the pressure, Wirral held out and were grateful for the excellent clearance kicks of Sam Broadbent. On 45m Wirral were awarded a penalty, some 45m out and 2m in from touch and this was well converted by our long distance kicker, Sam Broadbent. 13-3 Wirral did well to score 10 points in this period when down to 14 men. The lead was extended on 35 mins when another NB indiscretion led to another penalty opportunity from 40m out but directly in front of the posts and again Sam duly obliged 16-3.

In the last play of the first half with NB pressing to score a kick was collected by Ian White, who running across field to link up with the other backs put in a grubber kick behind the advancing NB backs, a fumble by the winger allowed Ali Baker to collect and run some 20m before a superb inside pass to captain, Ali Child allowed him to outpace the covering defence to score under the posts and this was converted by Danny, half time score 23-3. This was more than Wirral could have hoped for but in the knowledge that NB would use the breeze and their heavier forwards to greater effect in the second half.

The second half saw pressure from NB and having declined a penalty from in front of the posts, they went for a 5m line out, which W held them out but a scrum under the posts saw there influential No 8 Tuipulotu pick up and score by the posts. This was converted by Roberts and with the score at 23-10, Wirral were expecting more of this pressure.

Twelve mins into the half, Chris Tyson came on for Paul Sherlock. The Wirral defence continued to spoil the NB attacks and this was greatly helped by the mobile back row. Wirral had a good period of play on the NB line but could not force their way over but were awarded a kickable penalty unfortunately this was reversed for an indiscretion. On 25 mins Wirral were awarded a penalty some 46 m out in front of the posts against the breeze and Sam B duly obliged, which meant that with some 15mins plus injury time to play NB now had to score 3 times.

The Wirral defence held out stoically, but matters were not helped when Robbie Pearl received his second yellow card (red) rapidly followed by Ben Marsh receiving a yellow card. Whilst both sides were guilty of giving away free kicks, no action was taken against the NB players despite a number of “chats” with the referee until, in the last 5 minutes, the NB prop John Williams finally upset the referee once to often and received a yellow card.

Play was in the NB half and with Wirral in the ascendancy they refused two kickable penalties, going for tries in an attempt to get a bonus point (achievable after 4 tries). However the final action of the game saw Ian White injured in a tackle with a shoulder injury (believed to be dislocated).

Whilst NB had the edge in territory and possession, the Wirral team’s defence kept them at bay and with their greater mobility were quick to counter attack, which in fact led to their two tries.
A good start to their new league campaign.

Next week the first team are away at Northwich.

The second team had an excellent win against New Brighton seconds, 59-7. However the match was soured by a serious leg injury to second row Tom Clegg and we wish Tom a speedy recovery in the months ahead as his leg will be in plaster or some time.

Richard McNeil