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Sat 20 Feb 2016 · National League Three North
1st XVBillingham
Tries: D Harvey, A Baker, K MahonConversions: J Annetts (2)Penalties: J Annetts (2)Yellow Carded: J Annetts, C Speed
25
14
Wirral Enhance Play-off Possibility
Andrew Broadbent21 Feb 2016 - 13:53
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Both sides contributed to an entertaining game in torrid conditions
This match was important to both teams with Wirral looking to maintain their second position in the league having been beaten by Billingham earlier in the season and the visitors having a good run of results recently.
Wirral started with the same XV as last week with the only change being on the subs bench where TOM PARRY came in for CHRIS BURROWS. There had been rain during the morning but this increased as the match started and continued throughout the match making conditions very heavy at the end of the game.
The home side elected to play against the slight wind in the first half and were immediately on the attack with a 40m break by ALI BAKER. From this position downfield, Wirral were awarded a penalty some 20m out which JAMES ANNETTS converted and within 4 minutes the same player was able to double Wirral’s lead: 6-0 (8mins). With possession Billingham showed they could make progress up the field and despite the conditions the ball handling on both sides was good. In the 20th minute, Billingham were on the score sheet with a penalty from Peter Evans, 6-3 (20 mins).
Play continued from end to end with Wirral looking to kick long but with the Billingham back 3 deep in defence were able to collect and make progress downfield with astute grubber kicks to touch. In one of these kicking duels, Billingham were looking to run out of defence only for the ball carrier to be caught by ALI BAKER. This resulted in Wirral having ball some 30m out and with quick ball a backs move created a gap for DAN HARVEY to break through, beat two defenders before sliding over the whitewash for the first try and was duly converted by JAMES ANNETTS. 13-3 (27mins).
With play from end to end, two penalties from 20m by Peter Evans brought Billingham back into contention, 13-9 (37 mins). In the minute leading up to half time a rehearsed backs move gave ALI BAKER the space to advance down the right and when faced with defenders had the pace to force his way over in the corner. A superb conversion from the touchline by JAMES ANNETTS gave the score line, 20-9 at half time.
The second half started with Billingham on the attack and on 45 minutes, JAMES ANNETTS was sin binned for deliberately knocking a Billingham pass down when in fact on tackling the player the Wirral player had knocked the ball out of his grasp. The kick at goal was turned down in favour of a scrum which subsequently resulted in ROB PEARL getting a valuable turnover thus enabling Wirral to clear. 47 mins, CHRIS HUGHES came on for STEVE PENDERGAST.
From a line out some 20m out, Wirral collected the ball and proceeded with a rolling maul which took play up to the Billingham line where it was halted but from this position, KEITH MAHON got control of the ball and plunged over the try line from a metre out, the conversion attempt by CRAIG HARVEY was missed.25-9 (55 mins). JAMES REEVE and TOM PARRY came on for PAUL LEWIS and KEITH MAHON respectively. On 63 mins ROB PEARL came off with a thumb injury so KEITH MAHON re-joined the game.
Wirral were now pressing for the bonus try point but discipline and dropped balls did not help their cause. Billingham had not given up and continued to work their way downfield and in the final stages of the match were putting pressure on the Wirral line but the Wirral defence held out and on one occasion they were deemed to be held up over the line. On 76 mins CHRIS SPEED was sin-binned for again knocking the ball down and in the final minute of the game, Wirral had a scrum put in 5m from their line and with the ball set to come back, the Billingham substitute scrum half, picked the ball out of the back row to score from inches out!! The conversion was missed and the game ended as the players soon left the field for the warmth of the dressing room and the showers. Final score 25-14.
On reflection, Billingham deserved a try for their efforts and played their part in an entertaining match in difficult conditions. Wirral thus completed their 10th successive win and with Hull and Waterloo both losing when they were expected to win has enabled Wirral to extend their lead over those teams chasing the play-off position.
There is no match next week and Wirral next play away at Ilkley on 5th March. Next Sunday afternoon there is an under 20’s county match at Wirral kick off 2.15pm.
Wirral started with the same XV as last week with the only change being on the subs bench where TOM PARRY came in for CHRIS BURROWS. There had been rain during the morning but this increased as the match started and continued throughout the match making conditions very heavy at the end of the game.
The home side elected to play against the slight wind in the first half and were immediately on the attack with a 40m break by ALI BAKER. From this position downfield, Wirral were awarded a penalty some 20m out which JAMES ANNETTS converted and within 4 minutes the same player was able to double Wirral’s lead: 6-0 (8mins). With possession Billingham showed they could make progress up the field and despite the conditions the ball handling on both sides was good. In the 20th minute, Billingham were on the score sheet with a penalty from Peter Evans, 6-3 (20 mins).
Play continued from end to end with Wirral looking to kick long but with the Billingham back 3 deep in defence were able to collect and make progress downfield with astute grubber kicks to touch. In one of these kicking duels, Billingham were looking to run out of defence only for the ball carrier to be caught by ALI BAKER. This resulted in Wirral having ball some 30m out and with quick ball a backs move created a gap for DAN HARVEY to break through, beat two defenders before sliding over the whitewash for the first try and was duly converted by JAMES ANNETTS. 13-3 (27mins).
With play from end to end, two penalties from 20m by Peter Evans brought Billingham back into contention, 13-9 (37 mins). In the minute leading up to half time a rehearsed backs move gave ALI BAKER the space to advance down the right and when faced with defenders had the pace to force his way over in the corner. A superb conversion from the touchline by JAMES ANNETTS gave the score line, 20-9 at half time.
The second half started with Billingham on the attack and on 45 minutes, JAMES ANNETTS was sin binned for deliberately knocking a Billingham pass down when in fact on tackling the player the Wirral player had knocked the ball out of his grasp. The kick at goal was turned down in favour of a scrum which subsequently resulted in ROB PEARL getting a valuable turnover thus enabling Wirral to clear. 47 mins, CHRIS HUGHES came on for STEVE PENDERGAST.
From a line out some 20m out, Wirral collected the ball and proceeded with a rolling maul which took play up to the Billingham line where it was halted but from this position, KEITH MAHON got control of the ball and plunged over the try line from a metre out, the conversion attempt by CRAIG HARVEY was missed.25-9 (55 mins). JAMES REEVE and TOM PARRY came on for PAUL LEWIS and KEITH MAHON respectively. On 63 mins ROB PEARL came off with a thumb injury so KEITH MAHON re-joined the game.
Wirral were now pressing for the bonus try point but discipline and dropped balls did not help their cause. Billingham had not given up and continued to work their way downfield and in the final stages of the match were putting pressure on the Wirral line but the Wirral defence held out and on one occasion they were deemed to be held up over the line. On 76 mins CHRIS SPEED was sin-binned for again knocking the ball down and in the final minute of the game, Wirral had a scrum put in 5m from their line and with the ball set to come back, the Billingham substitute scrum half, picked the ball out of the back row to score from inches out!! The conversion was missed and the game ended as the players soon left the field for the warmth of the dressing room and the showers. Final score 25-14.
On reflection, Billingham deserved a try for their efforts and played their part in an entertaining match in difficult conditions. Wirral thus completed their 10th successive win and with Hull and Waterloo both losing when they were expected to win has enabled Wirral to extend their lead over those teams chasing the play-off position.
There is no match next week and Wirral next play away at Ilkley on 5th March. Next Sunday afternoon there is an under 20’s county match at Wirral kick off 2.15pm.
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