Flavell try wins defensive game

For the first match of the regular season, Wirral were on the road for the fourth consecutive game at Ted Robbin’s stamping ground at Rossendale with the game being played in a continuous heavy downpour. There were significant changes to both teams since we met at the end of last season with Rossendale (Ross) strengthening their side with new expensive recruits whilst Wirral made changes to the team who played so well at Caldy last week. The team was: 1. Jack Yarker 2. Stuart Gratton 3.Chris Hughes 4.Paul Lewis 5. Chris Tyson 6. Chris Burrows 7. Tom Parry 8. Rob Pearl 9. Joe Murray 10. Craig Harvey 11. Mark Williams 12. Matt Loon 13.James Annetts 14. Simon Flavell 15. Dan Harvey Subs: Steve Pendergast, Ryan Higginson and JAMES Reeve (for followers of match reports I inadvertently gave James the wrong Christian name last week, which has apparently caused some amusement amongst his team mates.
A number of the first team squad were not available for selection due to injury (Matt Brown (awaiting appointment), Ali Baker (operation on 27th), Sam Broadbent (knee injury) and family commitments, Ryan Stead and Keith Mahon.
Wirral won the toss and elected to play up the slope and against the wind in the first half. In the opening minutes a scrum maul from Rossendale advanced some 20m into the Wirral 20m area before being awarded a penalty, this appeared ominous at this early stage of the game. A kick to touch for a 5m line out came to nothing but Wirral were pinned down for the first few minutes in their half. However a succession of penalties relieved the pressure and the third penalty saw JAMES ANNETTS give Wirral the lead, 0-3 (12 mins).
The lead was short lived as back came Ross using the wind to put Wirral back down in their 20m area. A further scrum and wheel saw their scrum half, James Bramhall pick up and score, some 15m from the corner flag, the try was converted by Steve Nutt, 7-3 (16 mins). Despite the wet conditions the ball was being passed along the line by both sides but the defences were already on top and the kick downfield was proving to be the best weapon. 26 mins, STEVE PENDERGAST, RYAN HIGGINSON and JAMES REEVE came on for JACK YARKER, CHRIS HUGHES and CHRIS TYSON respectively.
There was aggressive play coming from Ross some of which was not being seen by the referee although the assessor was aware. From one piece of play which saw a dangerous tackle on JOE MURRAY and could have resulted in a card, JAMES ANNETTS reduced the arrears to one point with a well taken penalty, 7-6 (31 mins). RYAN HIGGINSON was injured in a clash with a Ross forward and was replaced by JACK YARKER; Ryan has now to go through the concussion procedures. With minutes remaining in the half, the Ross fly half attempted a penalty from 45m which missed the target and in the minute before half time he was yellow carded for a high tackle, this was based on the number of warnings already issued by the referee to the Ross team for the same offence. With a one point deficit at half time, it was Wirral who came out of the first half feeling the more confident.
The second half started in dramatic fashion with Wirral containing Ross in their 20m area and a rolling maul took play up to the line, several drives later and the defence was still holding out, the ball went blind where short passes from JAMES REEVE to PAUL LEWIS to SIMON FLAVELL enabled the latter to score his first 1st team try by wriggling over in the corner, the try was not converted. 7-11 (41 mins).
The next score was going to be important in view of the intensity of the rain and the conditions, a deft kick through by Ross down the left which proved too long and the anguish was showing on the home side who were looking to make this their push for promotion this season.. 54 minutes- CHRIS HUGHES came on for STEVE PENDERGAST followed by CHRIS TYSON for JAMES REEVE. Wirral were now making the most of their possession by kicking long. The game was brightened up by a break from JAMES ANNETTS but the final pass did not quite go to hand. On 58 mins Wirral had the opportunity to kick for a penalty but that would still have left them only one score ahead so pressure was built and some considerable time was spent in the Ross 20m area but could not get that decisive breakthrough to put the game out of the home sides reach.
The last 5 minutes, which seemed an eternity saw pressure coming from Rossendale as they kept the ball in hand as penalties for goal were of no use and also to deprive Wirral of the ball. The Wirral defence held, Wirral were caught off side, a line out 5m out to Ross was scrambled clear by Wirral, a knock on by Ross and in the 48th minute of the half, the referee blew for time. At this stage everyone was soaked and oblivious to the continuing rain and praise must go to all the players for producing such a game where the final score was in doubt until the last whistle and to the 24 Wirral supporters (yes I counted them and there was no Dudley) who braved the conditions to support the team.
Next week the first team are at home to Sandal who we last played 2 years ago before their season in Nat.Lge 2 and we would welcome your support in what promises to be an interesting game.

Richard McNeil