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Sat 16 Oct 2010 · North One West
1st XVVale of Lune
Tries: P Sherlock, R MacmillanConversions: D HarveyPenalties: D Harvey (3)
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37
Vale of Lune Get the Better of Wirral
Andrew Broadbent17 Oct 2010 - 10:17
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A masterclass in rugby skills by the Vale scrum half gives them victory at the Memorial Ground.
For the match against an in form Vale of Lune (VOL), there were again changes to the team with a new centre partnership of Harry Broadbent and Ben Marsh. Paul Sherlock came in at second row in place of Chris Tyson and Ross Page coming back into the back row following recovery from injury. Richard McMillan came onto the subs bench along with Phil Gwyn and Matt Brown.
It was evident from the kick-off that both teams were looking to play open rugby. The early pressure came from VOL but it was Wirral who took the lead after 8 mins with a Danny Harvey (DH) penalty. Wirral were putting pressure on the VOL backs and this forced them to drop the ball and Wirral made ground but unfortunately support was not to hand to follow up the break.
VOL had a penalty chance but this was missed from 40m out but after 20mins and from closer in, Neil Foster was able to equalize. Almost immediately came the first try when an Ali Baker tackle stemmed the VOL attack only for the ball to be made available, allowing scrum half “Daz” Wilson to evade several tackles and score from 40m out under the posts, the try was converted by N Foster. 3-10, the lead was further increased when a further penalty against Wirral for offside and a high tackle was converted by N Foster 3-13.
Two minutes later Wirral reduced the deficit with another penalty by Danny Harvey from some 40m out, 6-13, whilst this was the score at half time, Wirral had made 2 good breaks but a poor final pass and not using supporting players cost Wirral the opportunity to add to their score.
Shortly after half time, VOL increased the lead when their scrum half scampered some 60m from a quickly taken free kick to score in the corner, although there had been an opportunity to tackle him into touch but the small but chunky player evaded every tackle. The try was not converted. 6-18
This was followed by Wirral’s best period of the game, with DH converting a further penalty for the home team on 54 mins and that was soon followed by a good break by the backs down the left where Harry Broadbent evaded tackles, drew the full back and passed inside to Paul Sherlock who ran over unopposed to score under the posts, the try was converted by DH 16-18.
This come back did not last long as VOL again attacked and in loose play the scrum half ran some 20m to score under the posts for his hat trick and the try was again converted. 16-25. Subs were then made with Matt Brown and Richard McMillan coming on for Chris Hughes and Ben Marsh respectively. On 18 mins VOL increased the lead when their strong running centres sent in winger J Hodder for a try in the corner and the conversion by J Moore was missed. 16-30
Still Wirral pressed but the final pass was not good enough and once again the Wirral backs were exposed and VOL set up another try, with J Williams scoring by the posts and this was converted by J Hodder 16-37. Whilst Wirral were the first to score in this game they were also the last, when play down the backs gave Richard McMillan a short run in for a try in the corner on his debut, the try was not converted 21-37.
The difference between the sides was down to the play of the VOL scrum half, who has played at a higher level as have 3 other players, playing in key positions. Wirral can take some credit from this game by sticking to their game plan. If they had taken their chances there is no reason why they could not have run VOL much closer than the eventual scoreline. The VOL team is “professional” in more ways than one and the professional way they approached this game is something that Wirral should look to follow.
Richard McNeil
It was evident from the kick-off that both teams were looking to play open rugby. The early pressure came from VOL but it was Wirral who took the lead after 8 mins with a Danny Harvey (DH) penalty. Wirral were putting pressure on the VOL backs and this forced them to drop the ball and Wirral made ground but unfortunately support was not to hand to follow up the break.
VOL had a penalty chance but this was missed from 40m out but after 20mins and from closer in, Neil Foster was able to equalize. Almost immediately came the first try when an Ali Baker tackle stemmed the VOL attack only for the ball to be made available, allowing scrum half “Daz” Wilson to evade several tackles and score from 40m out under the posts, the try was converted by N Foster. 3-10, the lead was further increased when a further penalty against Wirral for offside and a high tackle was converted by N Foster 3-13.
Two minutes later Wirral reduced the deficit with another penalty by Danny Harvey from some 40m out, 6-13, whilst this was the score at half time, Wirral had made 2 good breaks but a poor final pass and not using supporting players cost Wirral the opportunity to add to their score.
Shortly after half time, VOL increased the lead when their scrum half scampered some 60m from a quickly taken free kick to score in the corner, although there had been an opportunity to tackle him into touch but the small but chunky player evaded every tackle. The try was not converted. 6-18
This was followed by Wirral’s best period of the game, with DH converting a further penalty for the home team on 54 mins and that was soon followed by a good break by the backs down the left where Harry Broadbent evaded tackles, drew the full back and passed inside to Paul Sherlock who ran over unopposed to score under the posts, the try was converted by DH 16-18.
This come back did not last long as VOL again attacked and in loose play the scrum half ran some 20m to score under the posts for his hat trick and the try was again converted. 16-25. Subs were then made with Matt Brown and Richard McMillan coming on for Chris Hughes and Ben Marsh respectively. On 18 mins VOL increased the lead when their strong running centres sent in winger J Hodder for a try in the corner and the conversion by J Moore was missed. 16-30
Still Wirral pressed but the final pass was not good enough and once again the Wirral backs were exposed and VOL set up another try, with J Williams scoring by the posts and this was converted by J Hodder 16-37. Whilst Wirral were the first to score in this game they were also the last, when play down the backs gave Richard McMillan a short run in for a try in the corner on his debut, the try was not converted 21-37.
The difference between the sides was down to the play of the VOL scrum half, who has played at a higher level as have 3 other players, playing in key positions. Wirral can take some credit from this game by sticking to their game plan. If they had taken their chances there is no reason why they could not have run VOL much closer than the eventual scoreline. The VOL team is “professional” in more ways than one and the professional way they approached this game is something that Wirral should look to follow.
Richard McNeil
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