This was the last home game of the season and was played in glorious conditions with just enough give in the ground to allow both teams to play open rugby. This game was sponsored by the alicadoos and attracted a larger than usual crowd with a healthy number of LSH supporters making the journey.
There were a number of minor changes to the Wirral team as Ali Child came in for Joe Murray, Harry Broadbent to No 8, Dave Doneo to second row and Robbie Pearl returning after injury. The substitutes were Chris Tyson, Chris Hughes and Paul Donaldson.
Whilst the breeze was across the field there was a slight advantage to LSH in the first half. The first actions of the game saw Wirral on the attack and showing their intentions this afternoon. A break by Danny Harvey saw him run some 50m into the LSH 20m area but there was no support to hand when tacklers came across. A further attack saw Wirral kick through but the cover was there to catch make progress before putting a long kick downfield. From this position downfield, LSH were awarded a penalty in front of the posts and Matthew Ashe converted to give LSH the lead 0-3 on 13 mins.
From the kick off a good backs move by LSH saw them advance down the field, a penalty opportunity was declined in favour of a scrum as they exerted pressure on Wirral in the 20m area. The forwards of LSH were making a series of charges at the Wirral line and eventually Dave Cunliffe found his way over from 2m out with Matthew Ashe converting 0-10 21 mins
From the kick off there appeared to be a knock on by Wirral but LSH played on and were looking to play the ball down the backs only for the pass to be intercepted by Danny Harvey who again was caught 5 m from the line but Ollie Atkinson was in support to collect the pass and beat a defender to score 15m in from touch but the conversion was missed.
Play was in the Wirral half but a long clearance enabled the backs to catch the LSH winger in his 20m area and stopped him from kicking the ball away, whilst they gained possession they could not capitalize on this quick possession. On 30 mins, Wirral took the lead when a quick line out to Sam Broadbent and good linking with the backs allowed good passing between Matt Slater and Danny Harvey allowed the latter to run down the touchline from 15m to score in the corner with Craig Harvey converting from the touchline. 12-10 Wirral then had a further penalty from some 47m out but could not add to their lead.
In the last mins of the first half, LSH were in the Wirral 20m area and declined a penalty chance to go for a 5m scrum and from this they exerted pressure on the Wirral line but fortunately a dropped pass enabled Wirral to clear and with that half time 12-10.
In the second half, LSH changed tactics using their forwards more, with numerous phases & then 3mins into the second half, a long pass out to the left winger allowed him to beat his marker and come inside only to be tackled 4 m from the line but scrum half Cashman was on hand to collect and score under the posts. Ashe converted 12-17 Pressure was now being exerted by LSH with Wirral not having any ball at all and 5 mins later LSH extended their lead, when pressure on the Wirral line saw Cashman the LSH No 9 feed Westhead the flanker to score from 3 m out; the try was again converted by Ashe 12-24.
At this stage Wirral made two substitutions, Chris Hughes on for Steve Pendergast and Phil Donaldson on for Matt Slater with Danny Harvey moving to the wing
Wirral were now seeing a smaller share of the ball after losing 12 points in the first few minutes of the second half and in the 12th min were awarded a penalty 20m out which Craig converted. From the kick off an excellent catch by Dave Doneo saw him advance some 50m down the field but unfortunately the support was not there to take on the attack but this play resulted in another penalty opportunity to Craig who duly converted to reduce the deficit to 6 points 18-24.
Play was held in mid field with Wirral having to defend and not getting enough ball to attack LSH but on 23 mins Wirral were awarded another penalty 33m out and Craig converted to reduce the deficit to three points 21-24. However virtually from the kick off, LSH worked the ball up field with a series of forward rushes which took them up to the Wirral line and from a position close to the line, the scrum half Cashman dummied his way over the line and Ashe converted, to give LSH a try bonus point and extend their lead to 21-31.
On 30 mins Wirral were awarded another penalty which Craig converted to leave the score at 24-31 and give Wirral a losing bonus point, by finishing within 7 points. For the last mins of the game it was Wirral who were attacking and could have been awarded another penalty kick for a high tackle but the referee played advantage but to no avail.
This was the end of Wirral‘s first team home programme and now face 2 further away matches at New Brighton next week and then Altrincham Kersal on Easter Saturday. The local derby next week is one that we are looking forward to and hopeful that there will be a large Wirral contingent to support the team.

Richard McNeil