Back
Sat 16 Apr 2016 · National League Three North
1st XVBirkenhead Park
Tries: J Annetts, D Harvey (2), A BakerConversions: C Harvey (3)
24
20
1st XV v Birkenhead Park
Andrew Broadbent17 Apr 2016 - 15:57
Share via
Last minute try condemns Park to relegation.
In front of the largest crowd of the season, Wirral entertained neighbours, Birkenhead Park (Park) in a match that Park had to win to retain any chance of avoiding relegation back to North 1 West.
The only changes to last week’s squad were the return of CRAIG HARVEY following the birth of his daughter Penelope. MATT LOON was not available so DAN HARVEY returned to the centre position. KEITH MAHON came off the subs bench to start at No.8 with CHRIS BURROWS returning to the subs bench. The ground was in excellent condition given the rain we have had over the past 7 days and Wirral played against the breeze towards the main road.
With Park utilising the wind they were soon operating in the Wirral half and from a 5m line out, Park had a try disallowed for a double movement but it was soon apparent that Park had the power in the scrums. From one of these 5m scrums they worked their way to the line where scrum half Sam Chidley touched down, halfway between the posts & corner flag and this was converted by Danny Rich. 0-7 (8 mins).
Wirral with their first meaningful possession in the Park 20m area, worked it forward before releasing their backs, where DANNY HARVEY released JAMES ANNETTS, who cut through to score half way out. CRAIG HARVEY converted as JAMES ANNETTS had pulled up in the act of scoring with a hamstring injury, which most certainly puts him out of the play-off match and possibly out of the County matches next month. 7-7 (15 mins). CHRIS BURROWS came on to replace CHRIS SPEED who went to centre with DAN HARVEY moving to full back.
The lead was short-lived as Park came back and with long kicks downfield/touch to put Wirral under pressure as they had almost a monopoly of scrums and line outs. From such another scrum close to the Wirral line the ball came out on the blind side and Matt Walls crossed in the corner, the conversion was missed. 7-12 (21 mins). With Park back in the Wirral 20m, possession was lost and JOE MURRAY made a break from within the 20m area and raced some 40m before putting in a kick over the Park defence and on recovering the ball, Wirral continued the attack and did not fully utilise the overlap they created and the chance was lost.
Park continued to use the wind to good effect with their loan signing fly half, Sam Russell playing an influential game for them. From a penalty 5m, Park opted for the line out where they controlled the ball and rumbled forward where Stu Brown, who has scored many tries from this position, was on hand to touch down. The conversion was missed. 7-17 (37 mins). RYAN STEAD came on for CHRIS TYSON. Wirral were able to hold out until half time where JACK YARKER came on for STEVE PENDERGAST.
The second half started in dramatic fashion as from the Wirral kick off, Park failed to take the ball cleanly and Wirral took control of the ball. Following a couple of forward thrusts the ball came out left where CRAIG HARVEY set up his brother DAN HARVEY to cut through the defence to score 10m from the posts, where CRAIG duly converted. Four minutes later the backs were in action again when clean ball quickly passed saw ALI BAKER squeeze in at the corner, the conversion was missed but Wirral were now leading 19-17 (45 mins).
With Wirral enjoying more use of the ball than in the first half, Park took advantage of being awarded a penalty 20m out which Sam Russell slotted over to give Park the lead again, 19-20- 55 mins. Park had a further opportunity to make progress with an overlap when the pass went direct into touch. Much as Park tried to break the Wirral defence it remained resilient as Park knew it was imperative that they scored next as they looked to utilise their hard running forwards.
On 73 minutes Wirral were awarded a penalty some 43m out, not central, but the kick sailed wide but from the 20m kick out, Wirral caught and controlled the ball and were now putting pressure on the Park line, they tried various moves but could not breakthrough. Play advanced to the left hand side of the field with Wirral camped on the Park line and still the Park whitewash remained intact. The ball was passed out to the backs where two long passes saw DAN HARVEY beat the two would be tacklers to score 8m from the corner flag to give Wirral their try bonus point. CRAIG HARVEY went to retrieve the ball to take the conversion when he was punched in the face and felled by a Park forward but unfortunately the referee was walking back to the conversion kick area. The player was attended to and the referee then realised that something had taken place and spoke to both captains. The conversion attempt was taken by Dan and this narrowly missed the posts. Immediately the referee called for time (possibly 1 minute early) to avoid any further confrontation which was sure to follow. If the referee had seen the incident it would have been an automatic red card and we may not have heard the last of this incident which has no place on the rugby field.
Ironically if Park had won, their chances of staying up would have been helped when bottom team Burnage defeated Stockport and they would have needed to win their last game of the season with Stockport’s result going in their favour.
Next week Wirral are away at Rossendale for the final league game of the season and the coach, Matt Cairns may take the opportunity to rest a number of players pending the play-off game at Hinckley on 30th April. If you are looking to travel to support the team at Hinckley then please watch out for details on the web site/club notice board/committee.
Richard McNeil
The only changes to last week’s squad were the return of CRAIG HARVEY following the birth of his daughter Penelope. MATT LOON was not available so DAN HARVEY returned to the centre position. KEITH MAHON came off the subs bench to start at No.8 with CHRIS BURROWS returning to the subs bench. The ground was in excellent condition given the rain we have had over the past 7 days and Wirral played against the breeze towards the main road.
With Park utilising the wind they were soon operating in the Wirral half and from a 5m line out, Park had a try disallowed for a double movement but it was soon apparent that Park had the power in the scrums. From one of these 5m scrums they worked their way to the line where scrum half Sam Chidley touched down, halfway between the posts & corner flag and this was converted by Danny Rich. 0-7 (8 mins).
Wirral with their first meaningful possession in the Park 20m area, worked it forward before releasing their backs, where DANNY HARVEY released JAMES ANNETTS, who cut through to score half way out. CRAIG HARVEY converted as JAMES ANNETTS had pulled up in the act of scoring with a hamstring injury, which most certainly puts him out of the play-off match and possibly out of the County matches next month. 7-7 (15 mins). CHRIS BURROWS came on to replace CHRIS SPEED who went to centre with DAN HARVEY moving to full back.
The lead was short-lived as Park came back and with long kicks downfield/touch to put Wirral under pressure as they had almost a monopoly of scrums and line outs. From such another scrum close to the Wirral line the ball came out on the blind side and Matt Walls crossed in the corner, the conversion was missed. 7-12 (21 mins). With Park back in the Wirral 20m, possession was lost and JOE MURRAY made a break from within the 20m area and raced some 40m before putting in a kick over the Park defence and on recovering the ball, Wirral continued the attack and did not fully utilise the overlap they created and the chance was lost.
Park continued to use the wind to good effect with their loan signing fly half, Sam Russell playing an influential game for them. From a penalty 5m, Park opted for the line out where they controlled the ball and rumbled forward where Stu Brown, who has scored many tries from this position, was on hand to touch down. The conversion was missed. 7-17 (37 mins). RYAN STEAD came on for CHRIS TYSON. Wirral were able to hold out until half time where JACK YARKER came on for STEVE PENDERGAST.
The second half started in dramatic fashion as from the Wirral kick off, Park failed to take the ball cleanly and Wirral took control of the ball. Following a couple of forward thrusts the ball came out left where CRAIG HARVEY set up his brother DAN HARVEY to cut through the defence to score 10m from the posts, where CRAIG duly converted. Four minutes later the backs were in action again when clean ball quickly passed saw ALI BAKER squeeze in at the corner, the conversion was missed but Wirral were now leading 19-17 (45 mins).
With Wirral enjoying more use of the ball than in the first half, Park took advantage of being awarded a penalty 20m out which Sam Russell slotted over to give Park the lead again, 19-20- 55 mins. Park had a further opportunity to make progress with an overlap when the pass went direct into touch. Much as Park tried to break the Wirral defence it remained resilient as Park knew it was imperative that they scored next as they looked to utilise their hard running forwards.
On 73 minutes Wirral were awarded a penalty some 43m out, not central, but the kick sailed wide but from the 20m kick out, Wirral caught and controlled the ball and were now putting pressure on the Park line, they tried various moves but could not breakthrough. Play advanced to the left hand side of the field with Wirral camped on the Park line and still the Park whitewash remained intact. The ball was passed out to the backs where two long passes saw DAN HARVEY beat the two would be tacklers to score 8m from the corner flag to give Wirral their try bonus point. CRAIG HARVEY went to retrieve the ball to take the conversion when he was punched in the face and felled by a Park forward but unfortunately the referee was walking back to the conversion kick area. The player was attended to and the referee then realised that something had taken place and spoke to both captains. The conversion attempt was taken by Dan and this narrowly missed the posts. Immediately the referee called for time (possibly 1 minute early) to avoid any further confrontation which was sure to follow. If the referee had seen the incident it would have been an automatic red card and we may not have heard the last of this incident which has no place on the rugby field.
Ironically if Park had won, their chances of staying up would have been helped when bottom team Burnage defeated Stockport and they would have needed to win their last game of the season with Stockport’s result going in their favour.
Next week Wirral are away at Rossendale for the final league game of the season and the coach, Matt Cairns may take the opportunity to rest a number of players pending the play-off game at Hinckley on 30th April. If you are looking to travel to support the team at Hinckley then please watch out for details on the web site/club notice board/committee.
Richard McNeil
Further reading
Team Sponsors
