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Sat 19 Mar 2016 ·  National League Three North
1st XVSheffield
Tries: C Harvey, R Pearl (2)Conversions: J Annetts (3)Penalties: J AnnettsYellow Carded: C Harvey
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25
Sheffield Snatch Last Minute Penalty Win
Andrew Broadbent20 Mar 2016 - 13:46
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A tight contest where Wirral pay for a slow start and indiscipline with a win for the Yorkshiremen.
The team played as selected and the same team that last played 4 weeks ago against Billingham.
Wirral kicked off allowing Sheffield use of the slight breeze and soon had possession a half break by ROB PEARL made ground to the edge of the 20m area and on release, CRAIGH HARVEY broke through the defence to score under the posts and JAMES ANNETTS added the points. 7-0 (1 minute).
Two penalties brought Sheffield to within a few metres of the Wirral line and having turned down penalty opportunities kept pressure on the Wirral line with the ball coming out to the backs and centre Rob Conville was able to score from 3 metres out, the conversion was missed. 7-5 (8 mins). One minute later with Wirral attacking a long pass out to the wing was intercepted by Own Smith who ran 70m unopposed to score under the posts, Joe Cribley converting 7-12.
Wirral kicked downfield with Sheffield trapped close to their try line but they managed to break out and advance some 50m before being tackled, retaining possession the ball went wide via a long pass and the right winger was able to beat two players before scampering away to score in the corner, the conversion was missed. 7-17 (30mins).
Immediately Wirral were on the attack with a move by DAN HARVEY and ALI BAKER advancing downfield only to be hauled down 5 metres from the Sheffield line. A clearance kick was collected by JOE MURRAY some 50 metres out who set off a run to beat several defenders before passing to PAUL LEWIS who off loaded to ROB PEARL who outpaced the defence to score close to the posts allowing JAMES ANNETTS to convert, 14-17 (34 mins).-JAMES REEVE and CHRIS HUGHES came on for Paul LEWIS and STEVE PENDERGAST respectively.
On 37 minutes a clearance kick from Wirral was caught by Sheffield, Joe Cribley who set off on one of his runs beating a number of defenders before putting Andy Hodgson in the clear to score and to achieve their try bonus point, the try was not converted 14-22 (37 mins) and the score at half time.
It was imperative that Wirral score next but the first period of the second half, saw the defences on top. A number of opportunities to put pressure on Sheffield were missed with dropped passes and a kick for touch gong over the dead ball line. 51 mins TOM PARRY came on for KEITH MAHON. Sheffield played their game off getting the ball downfield at every opportunity and by astute grubber kicks into touch. On 60 minutes a long kick downfield by Wirral was fumbled by the Sheffield full back a metre out from his goal line and from the resulting scrum, Wirral made a number of thrusts at the Sheffield line before a short pass enabled ROB PEARL to crash over near the posts, with JAMES ANNETTS adding the conversion. 21-22.
Six minutes later Wirral took the lead when awarded a penalty on the half way line but central and JAMES ANNETTS stepped up and duly converted. 24-22 game on. Wirral were now looking to play out the remaining time by controlling possession and kicking for touch where appropriate. On 76 minutes Wirral were awarded a kickable penalty some 25m out when the Sheffield prop Tommy Marples threw a number of punches unfortunately captain, Craig Harvey retaliated. Both players were yellow carded and the penalty reversed giving Sheffield the opportunity to clear their lines.
As the final minutes approached, Sheffield were themselves awarded a penalty some 25m out and Joe Cribley stepped up to convert, 24-25. In the final minute of the game with Sheffield pinned 20m from their goal line, Wirral were not able to break through the Sheffield defence nor engineer a drop goal opportunity and on the next break down, the referee called time.
This leaves Wirral still 8 points ahead of Sheffield with a game in hand but of their last 5 matches, 4 are away, commencing with Ilkley next Saturday. There will be a coach leaving on Saturday morning for any spectators looking to come and support the team.
Richard
Wirral kicked off allowing Sheffield use of the slight breeze and soon had possession a half break by ROB PEARL made ground to the edge of the 20m area and on release, CRAIGH HARVEY broke through the defence to score under the posts and JAMES ANNETTS added the points. 7-0 (1 minute).
Two penalties brought Sheffield to within a few metres of the Wirral line and having turned down penalty opportunities kept pressure on the Wirral line with the ball coming out to the backs and centre Rob Conville was able to score from 3 metres out, the conversion was missed. 7-5 (8 mins). One minute later with Wirral attacking a long pass out to the wing was intercepted by Own Smith who ran 70m unopposed to score under the posts, Joe Cribley converting 7-12.
Wirral kicked downfield with Sheffield trapped close to their try line but they managed to break out and advance some 50m before being tackled, retaining possession the ball went wide via a long pass and the right winger was able to beat two players before scampering away to score in the corner, the conversion was missed. 7-17 (30mins).
Immediately Wirral were on the attack with a move by DAN HARVEY and ALI BAKER advancing downfield only to be hauled down 5 metres from the Sheffield line. A clearance kick was collected by JOE MURRAY some 50 metres out who set off a run to beat several defenders before passing to PAUL LEWIS who off loaded to ROB PEARL who outpaced the defence to score close to the posts allowing JAMES ANNETTS to convert, 14-17 (34 mins).-JAMES REEVE and CHRIS HUGHES came on for Paul LEWIS and STEVE PENDERGAST respectively.
On 37 minutes a clearance kick from Wirral was caught by Sheffield, Joe Cribley who set off on one of his runs beating a number of defenders before putting Andy Hodgson in the clear to score and to achieve their try bonus point, the try was not converted 14-22 (37 mins) and the score at half time.
It was imperative that Wirral score next but the first period of the second half, saw the defences on top. A number of opportunities to put pressure on Sheffield were missed with dropped passes and a kick for touch gong over the dead ball line. 51 mins TOM PARRY came on for KEITH MAHON. Sheffield played their game off getting the ball downfield at every opportunity and by astute grubber kicks into touch. On 60 minutes a long kick downfield by Wirral was fumbled by the Sheffield full back a metre out from his goal line and from the resulting scrum, Wirral made a number of thrusts at the Sheffield line before a short pass enabled ROB PEARL to crash over near the posts, with JAMES ANNETTS adding the conversion. 21-22.
Six minutes later Wirral took the lead when awarded a penalty on the half way line but central and JAMES ANNETTS stepped up and duly converted. 24-22 game on. Wirral were now looking to play out the remaining time by controlling possession and kicking for touch where appropriate. On 76 minutes Wirral were awarded a kickable penalty some 25m out when the Sheffield prop Tommy Marples threw a number of punches unfortunately captain, Craig Harvey retaliated. Both players were yellow carded and the penalty reversed giving Sheffield the opportunity to clear their lines.
As the final minutes approached, Sheffield were themselves awarded a penalty some 25m out and Joe Cribley stepped up to convert, 24-25. In the final minute of the game with Sheffield pinned 20m from their goal line, Wirral were not able to break through the Sheffield defence nor engineer a drop goal opportunity and on the next break down, the referee called time.
This leaves Wirral still 8 points ahead of Sheffield with a game in hand but of their last 5 matches, 4 are away, commencing with Ilkley next Saturday. There will be a coach leaving on Saturday morning for any spectators looking to come and support the team.
Richard
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