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Sat 22 Jan 2011 ·  North One West
1st XVWilmslow
Tries: R PearlConversions: S BroadbentPenalties: S Broadbent (4)
19
13
Wirral Win an Entertaining Game
Andrew Broadbent23 Jan 2011 - 12:02
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Despite heavy conditions both sides determination to play fast, flowing rugby resulted in an entertaining close game.
Wirral entertained Wilmslow in what was a vital league match for the home team, a win would greatly enhance their position in the league and the opportunity to gain revenge for the 25-22 defeat earlier in the season. In that game Wirral had played fast attacking rugby towards the end of the game and nearly snatched victory.
Wirral had a couple of changes to the team which lost narrowly at Wigton at last weekend, with Ollie Atkinson returning to the wing and Dave Doneo coming in for Tim Hodgson, who was not available. Wirral only started the game with 2 replacements, Harry Broadbent and Sam Edgar, although a third sub became available towards the end of the game.
Wirral kicked off on the main pitch, which was heavy in the bottom 20m, playing with the breeze. It was obvious from the start this was going to be an open game with both teams looking to pass the ball and it was Wilmslow who made the most impressive start, with the ball going down the line only for play to be brought back for a forward pass. However 6 mins into the game, Wilmslow won the ball and passed quickly through their backs creating an overlap which left right winger Day to score in the corner. The try was not converted. 0-5
On 14 mins with both teams committed to open rugby, Wirral advanced to the Wilmslow 20m area where they were awarded a penalty 25m out close to the touchline, unfortunately Danny Harvey pushed the kick wide. Wirral were coming more into the game but were not able to break through Wilmslow's defence, even with the passing being slicker than of late. Within the next 12 mins with the pressure being applied by Wirral, they had two further opportunities to get on the score sheet from closer in but both went wide.
After 25 mins Wilmslow were awarded a penalty which was then advanced 10m however this was missed by McCallum but moments later they were awarded a penalty in an easier position, which was converted to increase the lead to 0-8.
Once again Wirral played their way back into the Wilmslow half and were awarded a further penalty and with a change of kicker, Sam Broadbent converted from 35m out with the ball hitting the upright. At 3-8 with half time rapidly approaching Wirral again pressured Wilmslow resulting in one of their players being sin binned and Sam reducing the arrears to 6-8.
Shortly after half time, Phil Donaldson left the field with an injured shoulder to be replaced by Harry Broadbent, Ollie moved to centre and Martin McNeil replaced him on the right wing. Five minutes into the second half, Wilmslow were reduced to 13 men for 5 minutes when the substitute, who had just come onto the field, was sin binned for a late tackle on Ollie Atkinson. The penalty kick to Wirral was taken from where the ball had bounced leaving Sam with a 20m kick in front of the posts; Sam converted to give Wirral the lead at 9-8 for the first time and one they did not relinquish.
Two minutes later a good clearance kick by Ali Childs, saw play held in the Wilmslow 20m, where Wirral won the ball and passed down to the wing where a lobbed pass going to ground slowed the move however a good pick up and side step saw Martin McNeil draw the last line of defence to put Robbie Pearl in at the corner. A brilliant conversion from the touchline against the wind by Sam Broadbent saw Wirral increase the lead 16-8.
Wilmslow then tried to use the wind and wherever possible Wirral were looking to counterattack, for a while play was now concentrated in the Wirral 20m area and, following a good kick to touch by Wilmslow, Wirral failed to clear the threat and from a scrum 10m out, the Wilmslow scrum half, Lyndsey went blind and fed the left winger, Raynor who scored wide out. The conversion was missed 16-13 after 63 mins.
The game was set for an exciting finish with both teams pressing for the next score, which came 5 mins later when Sam Broadbent again converted a penalty to increase the lead to 19-13. Three minutes later, Wilmslow had the chance to reduce the arrears but the penalty went wide. The final 10 minutes saw both teams playing for territory to set up the winning score but Wirral held out for a well deserved victory. If this sort of performance can be carried forward for the rest of the season then Wirral's position in this league should be secure.
Wirral had a couple of changes to the team which lost narrowly at Wigton at last weekend, with Ollie Atkinson returning to the wing and Dave Doneo coming in for Tim Hodgson, who was not available. Wirral only started the game with 2 replacements, Harry Broadbent and Sam Edgar, although a third sub became available towards the end of the game.
Wirral kicked off on the main pitch, which was heavy in the bottom 20m, playing with the breeze. It was obvious from the start this was going to be an open game with both teams looking to pass the ball and it was Wilmslow who made the most impressive start, with the ball going down the line only for play to be brought back for a forward pass. However 6 mins into the game, Wilmslow won the ball and passed quickly through their backs creating an overlap which left right winger Day to score in the corner. The try was not converted. 0-5
On 14 mins with both teams committed to open rugby, Wirral advanced to the Wilmslow 20m area where they were awarded a penalty 25m out close to the touchline, unfortunately Danny Harvey pushed the kick wide. Wirral were coming more into the game but were not able to break through Wilmslow's defence, even with the passing being slicker than of late. Within the next 12 mins with the pressure being applied by Wirral, they had two further opportunities to get on the score sheet from closer in but both went wide.
After 25 mins Wilmslow were awarded a penalty which was then advanced 10m however this was missed by McCallum but moments later they were awarded a penalty in an easier position, which was converted to increase the lead to 0-8.
Once again Wirral played their way back into the Wilmslow half and were awarded a further penalty and with a change of kicker, Sam Broadbent converted from 35m out with the ball hitting the upright. At 3-8 with half time rapidly approaching Wirral again pressured Wilmslow resulting in one of their players being sin binned and Sam reducing the arrears to 6-8.
Shortly after half time, Phil Donaldson left the field with an injured shoulder to be replaced by Harry Broadbent, Ollie moved to centre and Martin McNeil replaced him on the right wing. Five minutes into the second half, Wilmslow were reduced to 13 men for 5 minutes when the substitute, who had just come onto the field, was sin binned for a late tackle on Ollie Atkinson. The penalty kick to Wirral was taken from where the ball had bounced leaving Sam with a 20m kick in front of the posts; Sam converted to give Wirral the lead at 9-8 for the first time and one they did not relinquish.
Two minutes later a good clearance kick by Ali Childs, saw play held in the Wilmslow 20m, where Wirral won the ball and passed down to the wing where a lobbed pass going to ground slowed the move however a good pick up and side step saw Martin McNeil draw the last line of defence to put Robbie Pearl in at the corner. A brilliant conversion from the touchline against the wind by Sam Broadbent saw Wirral increase the lead 16-8.
Wilmslow then tried to use the wind and wherever possible Wirral were looking to counterattack, for a while play was now concentrated in the Wirral 20m area and, following a good kick to touch by Wilmslow, Wirral failed to clear the threat and from a scrum 10m out, the Wilmslow scrum half, Lyndsey went blind and fed the left winger, Raynor who scored wide out. The conversion was missed 16-13 after 63 mins.
The game was set for an exciting finish with both teams pressing for the next score, which came 5 mins later when Sam Broadbent again converted a penalty to increase the lead to 19-13. Three minutes later, Wilmslow had the chance to reduce the arrears but the penalty went wide. The final 10 minutes saw both teams playing for territory to set up the winning score but Wirral held out for a well deserved victory. If this sort of performance can be carried forward for the rest of the season then Wirral's position in this league should be secure.
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