After an absence of 2 weeks the season resumed with a home game against Northwich, the first of the return fixtures having lost 18-15 at Northwich in September. By coincidence we had the same referee today because the planned exchange referee could not make his way from Northumberland.
Changes were made from the last game at Kirkby Lonsdale, Ollie Atkinson had to pull out through flu and Danny Harvey pulled out just before the game through illness. This brought in young Joe Murray at full back, Martin McNeil into centre and Richard McMillan to wing. The substitutes were Dave Doneo and Sam Edgar.
After 5 minutes a good kick downfield by Northwich saw the ball in the Wirral 20. Northwich won the ball and passed the ball down their backline giving the full back an overlap from which he scored out wide. The conversion was missed 0-5. Four minutes later Northwich increased their lead when another good kick to 5m from the Wirral line resulted in a scrum, which Northwich won and pushed forward leaving their No 8 to pick up and score from close in, the conversion was converted, leaving the score after 11 minutes 0-12.
At this stage Wirral had had no ball and were very much on the back foot on the rare occasion Wirral had possession they tried to move the ball around but the Northwich defence was on top of their game. On 19 minutes, Northwich made their first substitution with the full back leaving the field.
With Wirral starting to come back into the game, Northwich were giving away a number of penalties but none of them were in kicking range. After 28 minutes, Northwich received their first sin binning. Pressure was now exerted on the Northwich line but no way could be found through the meanest defence in the league. After 35 minutes, Wirral were awarded a penalty in front of the posts and Sam Broadbent converted. 3-12
The Northwich team reacted by taking play again deep into the Wirral 20, Northwich were looking for another try through their forwards but Wirral managed to keep the bigger Northwich pack out and keep the score 3-12 at half time.
At half time, Wirral made a substitution with Richard McMillan coming off through injury meaning Joe Murray switched to the wing. Dave Doneo came on for Chris Tyson. Immediately at kick off a transgression by Northwich resulted in a penalty to Wirral from 25m out and 15m in from touch, which was converted 6-12. However 3 minutes later, Northwich restored their 9 point lead with a penalty from in front of posts from 30m. 6-15
The next period of the game, was Wirral’s best as they put pressure on Northwich but could not find the breakthrough until a loose maul saw Dave Doneo pick up from 22m out and go blind, beating a defender and getting his pass out to Ali Baker, who somehow weaved his way over to score 15m in from touch; the conversion was missed. 11-15.
Whilst in the ascendancy Wirral were looking to press home the advantage but their passing let them down at crucial stages. Further advantage accrued to Wirral when Northwich had their 3rd player of the game sent to the sin bin. Sam Edgar came on for Jason Green at hooker. Wirral were awarded a penalty 35m out and 10m in from touch, which if converted would have given Wirral the lead, however this hit the upright and Northwich were able to scramble away to safety. However 5 minutes later an easier penalty opportunity came with a kick from 30m in front of the posts, which was converted. 14-15
Northwich made a break up the right hand side and took play to the Wirral 20, where the Northwich forwards thought they had scored but the referee was not on hand to award, Wirral were looking to clear and touched down. Thereafter there was a fracas, which ultimately led to a 5m scrum with a Northwich put in and with their weight advantage in the scrum Northwich scored, but the conversion was missed.14- 20
Much as Wirral pressed Northwich cleared well and played defensive rugby in the final 5 minutes as they retained possession in the Wirral half. With 2 minutes to go Northwich had a penalty opportunity, which if scored would have denied Wirral a bonus point but they went for touch in an attempt to get the 4 try bonus point. Fortunately the kick for touch did not present them with that chance and with that the match was drawn to a close with a win for Northwich.
Wirral lost this game in the first 11 minutes when Northwich ran in 12 points but they had the half chances to win this game and are not converting the opportunities as they did last year. Northwich however could look at two tries that were disallowed although they did convert one of these opportunities, but they were the team looking to the referee blowing the final whistle at the end of the game as Wirral were looking where possible to move the ball down the line.

Richard McNeil