Following last week’s game at Cleckheaton there was a number of tactical changes made to the squad. With JULIAN HAIGH pulling a hamstring at Tuesday night training, MATT LOON was called up to the wing position, although he started at centre. KEITH MAHON was nursing a back injury so he was on the subs bench as CHRIS BURROWS started in the back row. CHRIS TYSON and MATT BROWN came in for RYAN STEAD and CHRIS HUGHES with Wirral thus fielding a strong bench with RYAN STEAD, KEITH MAHON and JACK YARKER. On Saturday morning, CRAIG HARVEY’S partner Christy was taken to hospital where she gave birth to a daughter, Penelope, congratulations to all concerned. Thus DAN HARVEY moved to fly half, MATT LOON moved into the centre and ADAM SHELDON was called up to fill the right wing berth.
Whilst we arrived at the ground in brilliant sunshine, heavy rain was forecast for 4.00pm. Thus it was Stockport who kicked off with the advantage of the slope and the wind. Within the first minutes of the game, Stockport showed how they were going to play the game by passing the ball out wide to their speedy backs but in the third minute, it was their No 8 Simon Green who stepped inside two would be tacklers to score close to the posts and fly half, Scott Redfern added the conversion. With Stockport having all the possession, Wirral could not get into this game and it was Stockport who were threatening to score but only strong resolute defence kept out the home side and it was not surprising that Stockport scored again when prop Ollie Longmore crashed over from 2m out and with the try being converted giving the home side a 14-0 lead. Stockport were certainly in the ascendancy and were running the ball at every opportunity and even when tackled they controlled the ball thus preventing any possession going to Wirral. Even when we had possession the ball was being kicked away and Stockport ran back strongly in to the Wirral half. Steve Fergusson commented that it was only after 27 minutes that Wirral had any meaningful possession. On 31 minutes, KEITH MAHON came on for CHRIS SPEED.
On 32 minutes, SAM BROADBENT was yellow carded for a “tip” tackle and from this penalty, Scott Redfern increased the Stockport lead to 17-0. However in the scrums it was becoming apparent that Wirral had the advantage, from one of these scrums Wirral advanced forward, the ball was spun out and MATT LOON made a half break, the ball was then passed to the left where JAMES ANNETTS came into the line drew the attention of two tacklers before releasing ALI BAKER (or AKI BARBER as the last two programmes have named him) who had a run in from 20m to score 15m from the corner flag, the conversion was missed. 17-5 (35 minutes). A further scrum to Wirral saw the home team advance some20m towards the Stockport line before being awarded a 5m scrum. Stockport infringed on the next two scrums to stop Wirral scoring- but no penalty try! On the third scrum with a warning to the Stockport scrum the Wirral pack advanced forward giving ROB PEARL an easy touch down, the conversion was missed as the half time whistle went. 17-10.
Playing downhill and with the wind, Wirral were again on the attack and with their first scrum pushed the Stockport back some 15m and were now camped on the Stockport line, after a number of thrusts Wirral scored when ROB PEARL crossed from 2m out, with the conversion from JAMES ANNETTS the teams were tied at 17 all. Two minutes later Wirral were rewarded with a penalty some 20m out which JAMES ANNETTS slotted over, 17-20 (43 minutes). JACK YARKER came on for STEVE PENDERGAST. Later RYAN STEAD came on for CHRIS TYSON (54 mins).
Still Stockport came back with their enterprising rugby and it was now up to Wirral to defend stoutly with only penalties enabling them to clear their lines. Both teams were playing open rugby and play was from one end to the other. Stockport missed a kickable penalty on 64 minutes. However a well-executed move saw scrum half Sean Street take the pass which split the Wirral defence to score under the posts, duly converted to give Stockport the 24-20 lead. (72 mins).
Wirral therefore needed a try to take the lead again and play was taken deep into the Stockport half with a great 50m run from CHRIS BURROWS. The rest of the game was now spent in the Stockport 20m area with superb tackling keeping Stockport penned in the red area. A number of minor injuries halted play as the minutes ticked by. Wirral scrum was moving the Stockport pack backwards and were rewarded a scrum under the posts as we entered time added on. At this stage conditions were getting tricky as the rain and hailstones started. Following two further scrums Wirral advanced, Stockport infringed, no yellow card, no penalty try- were Wirral going to get their reward. On the third scrum again Wirral nudged forward the Stockport pack, which was now collapsing, ROB PEARL touched down but the referee had seen enough to finally award Wirral a penalty try, the try was converted by JAMES ANNETTS. As the kick went over the referee blew for time.
As the players left the field the rain and hailstones came down very heavily and within 10 minutes the field was unplayable. On reaching the changing room’s news came through that Sheffield had lost at Rossendale and thus Wirral were unassailable in second place and now must play either Hinckley or Scunthorpe away for promotion to National League 2. Stockport played well today and this type of rugby belied there position in the league but it was the Wirral scrumming technique that won the day.
Next week, Wirral have their last home game of the season against Birkenhead Park and given the circumstances of Park’s position this game will attract a large crowd, so if possible to ease parking, share a car and get down to the game early for a 3.00 kick off. There will be parking down the road on Ocean Field.

Richard McNeil