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Sat 07 Nov 2015 · National League Three North
1st XVIlkley
Tries: M LoonConversions: D HarveyPenalties: D Harvey
10
5
Wirral Hold Out to Overcome Ilkley
Andrew Broadbent8 Nov 2015 - 18:19
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In a closely fought contest Wirral only just came out ahead against the Yorkshiremen.
Following the disappointing performance at Billingham two weeks ago, Wirral were able to call on three of their previously-injured players, ALI BAKER, JASON GREEN and ROB PEARL for this game. KEITH MAHON was due to be one of the substitutes but suffered a hamstring injury in training on Thursday evening. MATT LOON and RYAN STEAD were also available with the former coming in at outside centre. The substitutes were CHRIS HUGHES, CHRIS TYSON and CHRIS BURROWS.
This was the first occasion that the two teams had met with Ilkley being promoted from North 1 East last season. It was Wirral who had the wind advantage in the first half and it was apparent that both sides were looking to play open rugby. A kick down the line by JOE MURRAY put Ilkley under pressure and this was followed by a break by MATT LOON which took play deep into the away side half but the keen tackling and ability to drive over the ball meant Wirral giving up too many turnover balls.
Even at this stage play was end to end and on 14 minutes, Josh Kimber the Ilkley fly half made a break and off loaded to his centre only for the player to drop the ball with the line at his mercy. Two minutes later came a similar break from the same player this time his pass to John Johnson went to hand and he crossed unopposed. The conversion was missed. 0-5.
STEVE PENDERGAST came off with a torn calf muscle to be replaced by CHRIS HUGHES. On 28 minutes after a break by JACK YARKER, Wirral were awarded a kickable penalty, which DAN HARVEY converted from 18m. 3-5. Back came Ilkley with a break by centre Morgan which Wirral managed to stifle and eventually clear.
On 35 minutes, Wirral had the opportunity to take the lead with a penalty from 30m but this was pulled wide. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise as from the resultant drop out, Wirral reapplied pressure on Ilkley with a kick to the corner. Gaining possession, the forwards mauled forward but despite much effort could not get over the whitewash, the ball came out to the backs and a delayed pass by DAN HARVEY to MATT LOON who ran 10m to score under the posts, DAN HARVEY converted to give Wirral the lead, 10-5 (36 mins). The half came to an end after 45 minutes.
In the second half, Ilkley had the benefit of the strengthening wind and shortly in to the half, Wirral suffered a further injury with CHRIS TYSON leaving the field with an arm injury he has replaced by JAMES REEVE with CHRIS BURROWS coming on for TOM PARRY. The away side had an opportunity to score but the ball-carrier was shielded by another player thus preventing a tackle being made.
Despite playing into the wind it was Wirral who regained the territorial advantage and on one such occasion mauled forward some 30m, declining the kick for goal they opted for a 10m line out but could not find away though the Ilkley defence. A promising break by DAN HARVEY deep into the 20m area came to nought when from a strong position the ball was lost. On 60 and 62 minutes Ilkley lost players to the sin bin. A penalty was taken by DAN HARVEY from 30m but this brushed the upright.
Ilkley at this stage, were happy to kick down field to relieve the pressure but Wirral were unable to apply the necessary pressure on the 6 man pack close to the line. On 75 minutes Wirral scored a try through SAM BROADBENT only for this to be ruled out for a forward pass. With only a 5 point margin and Ilkley back to a full complement, matters were getting tense as the home side could not get the necessary points to ensure victory. With Ilkley constantly pushing forward it was crucial that the back row was always on hand to tackle any progress being made. MARK WILLIAMS now left the field with a knee injury to be replaced by TOM PARRY which necessitated a change in the back line. Eventually after 50 minutes of the second half Wirral cleared the ball to touch and the referee blew for time.
Wirral had not played at their best but credit must go to Ilkley for their performance. Wirral retain 4th place and next week travel to Sheffield, where a number of senior members are going early to celebrate “Ron‘s” birthday.
Richard
This was the first occasion that the two teams had met with Ilkley being promoted from North 1 East last season. It was Wirral who had the wind advantage in the first half and it was apparent that both sides were looking to play open rugby. A kick down the line by JOE MURRAY put Ilkley under pressure and this was followed by a break by MATT LOON which took play deep into the away side half but the keen tackling and ability to drive over the ball meant Wirral giving up too many turnover balls.
Even at this stage play was end to end and on 14 minutes, Josh Kimber the Ilkley fly half made a break and off loaded to his centre only for the player to drop the ball with the line at his mercy. Two minutes later came a similar break from the same player this time his pass to John Johnson went to hand and he crossed unopposed. The conversion was missed. 0-5.
STEVE PENDERGAST came off with a torn calf muscle to be replaced by CHRIS HUGHES. On 28 minutes after a break by JACK YARKER, Wirral were awarded a kickable penalty, which DAN HARVEY converted from 18m. 3-5. Back came Ilkley with a break by centre Morgan which Wirral managed to stifle and eventually clear.
On 35 minutes, Wirral had the opportunity to take the lead with a penalty from 30m but this was pulled wide. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise as from the resultant drop out, Wirral reapplied pressure on Ilkley with a kick to the corner. Gaining possession, the forwards mauled forward but despite much effort could not get over the whitewash, the ball came out to the backs and a delayed pass by DAN HARVEY to MATT LOON who ran 10m to score under the posts, DAN HARVEY converted to give Wirral the lead, 10-5 (36 mins). The half came to an end after 45 minutes.
In the second half, Ilkley had the benefit of the strengthening wind and shortly in to the half, Wirral suffered a further injury with CHRIS TYSON leaving the field with an arm injury he has replaced by JAMES REEVE with CHRIS BURROWS coming on for TOM PARRY. The away side had an opportunity to score but the ball-carrier was shielded by another player thus preventing a tackle being made.
Despite playing into the wind it was Wirral who regained the territorial advantage and on one such occasion mauled forward some 30m, declining the kick for goal they opted for a 10m line out but could not find away though the Ilkley defence. A promising break by DAN HARVEY deep into the 20m area came to nought when from a strong position the ball was lost. On 60 and 62 minutes Ilkley lost players to the sin bin. A penalty was taken by DAN HARVEY from 30m but this brushed the upright.
Ilkley at this stage, were happy to kick down field to relieve the pressure but Wirral were unable to apply the necessary pressure on the 6 man pack close to the line. On 75 minutes Wirral scored a try through SAM BROADBENT only for this to be ruled out for a forward pass. With only a 5 point margin and Ilkley back to a full complement, matters were getting tense as the home side could not get the necessary points to ensure victory. With Ilkley constantly pushing forward it was crucial that the back row was always on hand to tackle any progress being made. MARK WILLIAMS now left the field with a knee injury to be replaced by TOM PARRY which necessitated a change in the back line. Eventually after 50 minutes of the second half Wirral cleared the ball to touch and the referee blew for time.
Wirral had not played at their best but credit must go to Ilkley for their performance. Wirral retain 4th place and next week travel to Sheffield, where a number of senior members are going early to celebrate “Ron‘s” birthday.
Richard
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