Back
Sat 10 Sep 2016 · National League 3 North
1st XVSandal
Tries: J Murray, C Harvey (2), D Harvey, S GrattonConversions: J Annetts (4)Yellow Carded: C Burrows
33
23
Wirral Power to Victory in Final Quarter
Andrew Broadbent11 Sep 2016 - 15:08
Share via
Against a side who Wirral had never beaten and who for large parts of this game looked like they might take the spoils; the home side get the win in the final quarter.
For the first home game of the season against Sandal, who we have lost to on the two previous occasions we have met, the pitch was in excellent condition and playing conditions were ideal when compared to the continuous rain endured at Rossendale last week.
RYAN STEAD came back into the side with CHRIS TYSON moving to the subs bench, along with CHRIS SPEED who was recalled to the squad as RYAN HIGGINSON was injured last week.
Wirral played against the slight breeze and towards the main road. The first real action of the game came with a DAN HARVEY break but unfortunately could not capitalise on this. On 6 minutes with 2 penalties already given in Sandal’s favour, CHRIS BURROWS was sin binned for playing the ball on the floor! With Sandal in the Wirral 20m area this created pressure where they were then camped for a few minutes, although they crossed over the whitewash the ball was deemed to have been held up. 7 minutes after the sin bin Wirral managed to clear downfield when ROB PEARL was first on hand at a Sandal breakdown
On 21 minutes there was another yellow card this time to the Sandal second row Ben Gledhill but the referee had obviously not seen the incident as it was a clear red card incident by the big Sandal prop, Robert Norbury nevertheless the away side were down to 14 men. From the resultant penalty quickly taken the ball was passed down the backs, CHRIS BURROWS was stopped metres from the line, JOE MURRAY collected the ball from the ruck and scooted round the blind side to score in the corner, the try was not converted. 5-0 (23 mins). In the next 6 mins, Sandal had two penalty kicks by Greg Wood at goal, converting the second from 30m, 5-3. Realistically Sandal should have been further ahead given the heavy penalty account in their favour (8-1 at this stage) as the referee could not even spot a forward pass. CHRIS TYSON and STEVE PENDERGAST came on for PAUL LEWIS and CHRIS HUGHES respectively.
With such a continuing heavy penalty count, Sandal took the lead when from a ruck close to the Wirral line, the player (R.Norbury) who should not have been on the field scored from 2 metres out, the try was not converted. 5-8 (37 mins). In the final minute of the half, Sandal scored through Simon Worrall a push over try wide out and this was converted by GREG WOOD to give Sandal a 5-15 lead at the break.
From the Sandal kick off, they collected the ball and full back Thomas Coad made a break and after good handling led to Simon Worrall scoring in the corner, not converted, 5-20 (41 mins). Sandal again on the attack dropped the ball which was picked up by MARK WILLIAMS who went on a jinking run before passing to ROB PEARL who put CRAIG HARVEY in for a score under the posts, converted by JAMES ANNETTS, 12-20 (45 mins).
Wirral were now having a greater share of the ball although the penalty count against them continued to mount, CHRIS SPEED, PAUL LEWIS and CHRIS HUGHES came on for TOM PARRY, CHRIS TYSON and STEVE PENDERGAST. A further penalty to Sandal from Greg Wood put Sandal 11 points ahead at 23-12 (62 mins). At this stage a losing bonus point was the best Wirral could hope for unless the penalty count was reduced and we could have a greater share of the ball in their half. The pressure was mounting on Sandal and good inter-passing between PAUL LEWIS and ROB PEARL led to a break and DAN HARVEY on his 200th appearance for the first team was on hand to score under the posts, JAMES ANNETTS converted, 19-23 (67 mins)- game on. 70 mins the final substitution with TOM PARRY coming on for CHRIS BURROWS, who like the entire back row, had put in some thunderous tackles. Wirral had Sandal penned down in their 20m area and the penalty count was now starting to swing towards the home side. The Sandal full back, Thomas Coad was then sin binned for an offence under the referees nose- 75 mins and a minute later from a quickly taken penalty, CRAIG HARVEY forced his way over the whitewash, duly converted by JAMES ANNETTS, and Wirral were now leading 26-23.
With the kick off being taken by Wirral, the ball was pumped downfield from where the home side were looking to contain the opposition in their 20m area. As the final minutes passed and knowing it was the last play of the game, Sandal could not afford to kick and they looked to break out of the Wirral defence set up, eventually the ball was dropped and Wirral progressed towards the posts, Tom Parry was caught but a slipped pass to Stuart Gratton saw the hooker score his first try for the senior team under the posts from at least 2m out, the try was converted by JAMES ANNETTS and the referee blew for full time.
Whilst it is early days from the league point of view, Wirral are currently lying second on point’s difference behind Lymm. Next week the first team are away to newly promoted, Doncaster Phoenix who have made a promising start to their season. Please check the noticeboard for time the bus is departing for anyone who wishes to come and support the team.
Richard McNeil
RYAN STEAD came back into the side with CHRIS TYSON moving to the subs bench, along with CHRIS SPEED who was recalled to the squad as RYAN HIGGINSON was injured last week.
Wirral played against the slight breeze and towards the main road. The first real action of the game came with a DAN HARVEY break but unfortunately could not capitalise on this. On 6 minutes with 2 penalties already given in Sandal’s favour, CHRIS BURROWS was sin binned for playing the ball on the floor! With Sandal in the Wirral 20m area this created pressure where they were then camped for a few minutes, although they crossed over the whitewash the ball was deemed to have been held up. 7 minutes after the sin bin Wirral managed to clear downfield when ROB PEARL was first on hand at a Sandal breakdown
On 21 minutes there was another yellow card this time to the Sandal second row Ben Gledhill but the referee had obviously not seen the incident as it was a clear red card incident by the big Sandal prop, Robert Norbury nevertheless the away side were down to 14 men. From the resultant penalty quickly taken the ball was passed down the backs, CHRIS BURROWS was stopped metres from the line, JOE MURRAY collected the ball from the ruck and scooted round the blind side to score in the corner, the try was not converted. 5-0 (23 mins). In the next 6 mins, Sandal had two penalty kicks by Greg Wood at goal, converting the second from 30m, 5-3. Realistically Sandal should have been further ahead given the heavy penalty account in their favour (8-1 at this stage) as the referee could not even spot a forward pass. CHRIS TYSON and STEVE PENDERGAST came on for PAUL LEWIS and CHRIS HUGHES respectively.
With such a continuing heavy penalty count, Sandal took the lead when from a ruck close to the Wirral line, the player (R.Norbury) who should not have been on the field scored from 2 metres out, the try was not converted. 5-8 (37 mins). In the final minute of the half, Sandal scored through Simon Worrall a push over try wide out and this was converted by GREG WOOD to give Sandal a 5-15 lead at the break.
From the Sandal kick off, they collected the ball and full back Thomas Coad made a break and after good handling led to Simon Worrall scoring in the corner, not converted, 5-20 (41 mins). Sandal again on the attack dropped the ball which was picked up by MARK WILLIAMS who went on a jinking run before passing to ROB PEARL who put CRAIG HARVEY in for a score under the posts, converted by JAMES ANNETTS, 12-20 (45 mins).
Wirral were now having a greater share of the ball although the penalty count against them continued to mount, CHRIS SPEED, PAUL LEWIS and CHRIS HUGHES came on for TOM PARRY, CHRIS TYSON and STEVE PENDERGAST. A further penalty to Sandal from Greg Wood put Sandal 11 points ahead at 23-12 (62 mins). At this stage a losing bonus point was the best Wirral could hope for unless the penalty count was reduced and we could have a greater share of the ball in their half. The pressure was mounting on Sandal and good inter-passing between PAUL LEWIS and ROB PEARL led to a break and DAN HARVEY on his 200th appearance for the first team was on hand to score under the posts, JAMES ANNETTS converted, 19-23 (67 mins)- game on. 70 mins the final substitution with TOM PARRY coming on for CHRIS BURROWS, who like the entire back row, had put in some thunderous tackles. Wirral had Sandal penned down in their 20m area and the penalty count was now starting to swing towards the home side. The Sandal full back, Thomas Coad was then sin binned for an offence under the referees nose- 75 mins and a minute later from a quickly taken penalty, CRAIG HARVEY forced his way over the whitewash, duly converted by JAMES ANNETTS, and Wirral were now leading 26-23.
With the kick off being taken by Wirral, the ball was pumped downfield from where the home side were looking to contain the opposition in their 20m area. As the final minutes passed and knowing it was the last play of the game, Sandal could not afford to kick and they looked to break out of the Wirral defence set up, eventually the ball was dropped and Wirral progressed towards the posts, Tom Parry was caught but a slipped pass to Stuart Gratton saw the hooker score his first try for the senior team under the posts from at least 2m out, the try was converted by JAMES ANNETTS and the referee blew for full time.
Whilst it is early days from the league point of view, Wirral are currently lying second on point’s difference behind Lymm. Next week the first team are away to newly promoted, Doncaster Phoenix who have made a promising start to their season. Please check the noticeboard for time the bus is departing for anyone who wishes to come and support the team.
Richard McNeil
Further reading
Team Sponsors
