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Sat 19 Dec 2015 · National League Three North
1st XVFirwood Waterloo
Tries: S Broadbent, C Harvey, A Baker, J AnnettsConversions: J Annetts (2)
24
10
Wirral Achieve First Ever Win Over Waterloo
Andrew Broadbent20 Dec 2015 - 21:51
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Wirral rise to second in the League after a bonus point win over Firwood Waterloo.
For the first of the return fixtures, Wirral were able to field one of their strongest sides of the season with CRAIG HARVEY and JAMES ANNETTS returning to the side after long term injuries. MARK WILLIAMS moved to the wing in place of ADAM SHELDON, DAN HARVEY to centre in place of STUART DUNBAR. From the team selected RYAN STEAD pulled out through sickness, so JAMES REEVE came into the second row with CHRIS TYSON joining the substitute’s bench along with KEITH MAHON and CHRIS HUGHES.
The rain had started as the game kicked off with Wirral playing towards the road with Waterloo having the slight wind advantage. The match was played in front of Wirral’s largest crowd of the season despite the very wet conditions.
The early territory advantage was to Waterloo but the home side were quick to recover ground lost when Waterloo kicked downfield. With Wirral applying the pressure in the Waterloo half, the opposition dropped the ball and live wire scrum half JOE MURRAY picked up the ball and drove deep into the 20m area and although tackled managed to get the ball away to SAM BROADBENT who used his height to stretch over the line to score. JAMES ANNETTS converted to give Wirral a 7-3 lead after 7 mins.
Waterloo had a penalty opportunity but turned it down and went for a line out close to the Wirral line and although pressure was exerted on the Wirral line, the home side held out and managed to clear. Wirral worked their way downfield aided by 3 penalties in their favour until the home side were camped in the Waterloo 20m area but could not work their way over the whitewash and after minutes of continuing pressure Waterloo were eventually able to clear. At this stage there was a substantial delay as 2 Waterloo forwards were down injured and eventually left the field unable to take any further part in the game. Waterloo had two other players who could play in the front row in place of hooker and captain, Alick Croft and prop, Ryan Purcell.
With their side rearranged, Waterloo had their best period of the game and on 35 minutes were awarded a penalty 28m out in front of goal which Liam Reeve converted. 7-3. From the re start a downfield cross kick by JAMES ANNETTS found touch metres from the Waterloo line. Wirral were again able to apply pressure and several thrusts were thwarted before captain, CRAIG HARVEY was able to stretch over to score close to the posts, the try being duly converted by full back, JAMES ANNETTS, 14-3, 35 minutes.
At this stage Wirral were getting plenty of ball and the speed of their backs was putting pressure on Waterloo and this was highlighted in the minute before half time when a long kick downfield over the Waterloo defence by CRAIG HARVEY found clear space and ALI BAKER outpaced the defence to kick forward and dive on the ball to score. The conversion was missed. 19-3 at half- time. The half had lasted some 52 minutes due to the injury to the Waterloo forwards.
The second half commenced with the rain increasing thus making conditions difficult and handling a problem. Both teams looked to make ground kicking rather than driving up the middle but it was Wirral who made the half breaks but could not fully capitalise on these. Both teams were cancelling each other out. There was one piece of rugby when the ball came out right quickly to MARK WILLIAMS who made ground and chipped over the defence and just failed to collect to score. However play was now concentrated in the Waterloo 20m area and they were now having difficulty in clearing the ball away. Eventually after much pressure and thrusts from the forwards the ball was spun out to the right through the backs and with JAMES ANNETTS coming into the line at pace to score 10m from the corner flag, the conversion was missed. 24-3 (77minutes).
In the gathering gloom and the clock ticking on, a missed tackle saw Ryan McKie in space and ran the 15m beating the cover to score wide out and this was well converted by Liam Reeve to leave the score 24-10. As the ball sailed over the posts the referee blew for time and Wirral had achieved their first ever victory over Waterloo. Wirral have now moved up to 2nd place.
There is now a break over the Christmas/New Year period and the next match is away to Huddersfield YMCA on 9th January kicking off at 3.00pm as the game will be played under floodlights. Those wishing to travel to the match via the coach then please check the noticeboard for the time the coach will be leaving.
The match against Birkenhead Park has been re arranged for 6th February.
The rain had started as the game kicked off with Wirral playing towards the road with Waterloo having the slight wind advantage. The match was played in front of Wirral’s largest crowd of the season despite the very wet conditions.
The early territory advantage was to Waterloo but the home side were quick to recover ground lost when Waterloo kicked downfield. With Wirral applying the pressure in the Waterloo half, the opposition dropped the ball and live wire scrum half JOE MURRAY picked up the ball and drove deep into the 20m area and although tackled managed to get the ball away to SAM BROADBENT who used his height to stretch over the line to score. JAMES ANNETTS converted to give Wirral a 7-3 lead after 7 mins.
Waterloo had a penalty opportunity but turned it down and went for a line out close to the Wirral line and although pressure was exerted on the Wirral line, the home side held out and managed to clear. Wirral worked their way downfield aided by 3 penalties in their favour until the home side were camped in the Waterloo 20m area but could not work their way over the whitewash and after minutes of continuing pressure Waterloo were eventually able to clear. At this stage there was a substantial delay as 2 Waterloo forwards were down injured and eventually left the field unable to take any further part in the game. Waterloo had two other players who could play in the front row in place of hooker and captain, Alick Croft and prop, Ryan Purcell.
With their side rearranged, Waterloo had their best period of the game and on 35 minutes were awarded a penalty 28m out in front of goal which Liam Reeve converted. 7-3. From the re start a downfield cross kick by JAMES ANNETTS found touch metres from the Waterloo line. Wirral were again able to apply pressure and several thrusts were thwarted before captain, CRAIG HARVEY was able to stretch over to score close to the posts, the try being duly converted by full back, JAMES ANNETTS, 14-3, 35 minutes.
At this stage Wirral were getting plenty of ball and the speed of their backs was putting pressure on Waterloo and this was highlighted in the minute before half time when a long kick downfield over the Waterloo defence by CRAIG HARVEY found clear space and ALI BAKER outpaced the defence to kick forward and dive on the ball to score. The conversion was missed. 19-3 at half- time. The half had lasted some 52 minutes due to the injury to the Waterloo forwards.
The second half commenced with the rain increasing thus making conditions difficult and handling a problem. Both teams looked to make ground kicking rather than driving up the middle but it was Wirral who made the half breaks but could not fully capitalise on these. Both teams were cancelling each other out. There was one piece of rugby when the ball came out right quickly to MARK WILLIAMS who made ground and chipped over the defence and just failed to collect to score. However play was now concentrated in the Waterloo 20m area and they were now having difficulty in clearing the ball away. Eventually after much pressure and thrusts from the forwards the ball was spun out to the right through the backs and with JAMES ANNETTS coming into the line at pace to score 10m from the corner flag, the conversion was missed. 24-3 (77minutes).
In the gathering gloom and the clock ticking on, a missed tackle saw Ryan McKie in space and ran the 15m beating the cover to score wide out and this was well converted by Liam Reeve to leave the score 24-10. As the ball sailed over the posts the referee blew for time and Wirral had achieved their first ever victory over Waterloo. Wirral have now moved up to 2nd place.
There is now a break over the Christmas/New Year period and the next match is away to Huddersfield YMCA on 9th January kicking off at 3.00pm as the game will be played under floodlights. Those wishing to travel to the match via the coach then please check the noticeboard for the time the coach will be leaving.
The match against Birkenhead Park has been re arranged for 6th February.
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