Wirral again made changes for the trip to Wilmslow, with a centre partnership of Phil Donaldson and Harry Broadbent, Ollie Atkinson moving to full back and introducing Craig Dolan on the left wing. The substitutes were Danny Harvey, Matt Brown and Phil Gwyn.
Game played in ideal conditions with Wirral having the advantage of a good breeze in the first half.
There was no score for the first 21 minutes as both teams tested each other’s defences with Wilmslow looking to utilize their forwards with Wirral seeking to use their backs. At this stage Wilmslow had the territorial advantage but a kick downfield almost gave Wirral the first try when the ball did not bounce favourably for winger Ali Baker, who if he had collected would have cantered in for a try. Wilmslow had penalty scoring opportunities which they spurned going for 5m line outs and scrums but the Wirral defence held them at bay.
After 21 minutes, Wilmslow scored their first try, when an attack down the centre was first stopped but quick ball to the left wing enabled their left winger, Jordan Kennedy to run round the Wirral winger to score 10m from the post but the conversion was missed. Whilst this was the only score of the first half there were other scoring opportunities none more so when Harry Broadbent broke through his tackle but was eventually tackled having not realised that there was support on the outside.
In the minutes leading up to half time, Wirral had two penalty opportunities from 38m and 28m with the former hitting the post and bouncing over the dead ball line. Although the score was 5-0 to Wilmslow, either side could look back on missed scoring opportunities.
At half time Wirral made a change with Danny Harvey coming on for Craig Dolan with Ollie returning to the wing, whilst Wilmslow changed one of their props with Mackay coming on for McCrea.
Immediately after half time, Wilmslow increased their lead to 8-0 when fly half Bob MacCullum converted a penalty. On 45 minutes Danny Harvey reduced the deficit to 8-3 with a well taken penalty when the Wilmslow full back was sin binned.
Wirral were now looking to use their backs more and were asking questions of the opposition’s defence but whilst passing the ball down the backs the ball was dropped and Wilmslow's speedy winger, Jordan Kennedy swooped and ran 50m unopposed to score under the posts, the try was converted, 15-3 after 50 minutes. Minutes later, Wirral were on the attack when Jason Green was isolated but made the ball available and the ball went down the line where Harry again slipped his tackler drew the full back before releasing Ali Baker who scored under the posts with Danny converting. 15-10 This was increased to 18-10 through a penalty when Danny Harvey was sin binned for a high tackle but in doing so had saved a certain try from being scored.
On 25 minutes, Wilmslow were awarded a controversial penalty try, when after a series of scrums, Wirral wheeled the scrum and a back row forward from Wirral then controlled the ball only for a try to be awarded, the try was converted, giving Wilmslow a comfortable lead of 25-10 with 15 minutes to go. The home crowd was now urging their team to go for a bonus point try. At this stage Wirral brought on their remaining subs, namely Matt Brown and Phil Gwyn for Chris Hughes and Ben Marsh respectively. They almost scored this when a kick through was scrambled into touch 5m from the Wirral line but eventually the line was cleared and with that Wirral came into the ascendency as they attacked Wilmslow.
On 32 minutes Wirral got the break through when a quick penalty taken by Ali Child made ground before off loading to Robbie Pearl who looked for support and passed the ball wide to Sam Broadbent only for Wirral to be denied a score on this occasion. With Wilmslow pinned down on their own line a series of thrusts were repelled before Tim Hodson receiving the ball 5m out plunged over for his fourth try in 3 matches, the try was not converted. 25-15
Following the kick off Wirral were again pressing home teams defence and could have scored again if they had not been over anxious. At this stage with 40 minutes up on the watch the referee was playing all the accruing injury time and the home crowd was now calling for the final whistle. Another quick penalty by Ali Child who again passed onto Robbie, who broke through the defence and this time, drew the full back and passed to Danny Harvey who ran 30m to score half way out, he quickly took the conversion to bring the score to 25-22. Could Wirral achieve an unlikely result as they again attacked Wilmslow from the kick off and a further knock on resulted in the referee calling time.
Wirral had the opportunities earlier in the game to have beaten the home side and if they had played with the same passion as they had done in the last 15 minutes then this could have been a different result. As it was a bonus point was scant reward for their efforts.
This team is still adjusting to the needs of this league and Team Manager, Andy McKinney is still working on his options for the best first fifteen.
Next week we are at home to Vale of Lune who lost their first game at the weekend. This should be an interesting fixture given that ex Wirral player, Jimmy Moore is the Vale fly half.

Richard McNeil