Back
Sat 17 Sep 2016 ·  National League 3 North
Doncaster Phoenix
1st XV
10
32
Tries: C Harvey (2), R Pearl, S BroadbentConversions: J Annetts (3)Penalties: J Annetts
Craig Harvey's Tries Pave the Way for a Wirral Victory
Andrew Broadbent18 Sep 2016 - 16:35
Share via
Outstanding defence and taking opportunities when presented to them enabled Wirral to come out victors in an entertaining game.
For the away game at DP, who play at the home of Doncaster Knights, we were not expecting to play at a stadium with such up to date facilities and this combined with the weather made it an excellent away trip. Wirral had to make two changes with JOE MURRAY and CHRIS SPEED not available for selection. Accordingly JOSH STEAD came in at scrum half and JAMES REEVE on the subs bench. Wirral were aware that DP had been promoted at least 4 times in the past 5 seasons and have only lost 3 games in the last two seasons and thus travelled with some apprehension.
The game started with both sides playing attacking rugby with the highlight of the opening minutes being a thunderous tackle by CHRIS BURROWS, which left the DP centre somewhat dazed. On 7 minutes, JAMES ANNETTS made a half-break and passed on to CRAIG HARVEY who outpaced the covering defence to score 10m from the touchline, the conversion was missed, 0-5. Immediately DP hit back to score with a well worked backs move from 30m out by William Burden, again the conversion was missed 5-5 (12 mins). The away side continued to exert pressure and were camped in the DP 20m area but eventually Wirral transgressed and DP were able to clear.
On 20 minutes, Wirral were able to take the lead again, when DP won their put in at a scrum but on passing out could not make progress and the ball popped up, was collected by ROB PEARL who outpaced the defence from 50m out to score under the posts, JAMES ANNETTS converted. With Wirral now controlling play, a long kick downfield by CRAIG HARVEY was taken by the DP full back under pressure and he sliced his clearance to touch. From the resultant play, Wirral advanced, were awarded a scrum some 15m out and on winning the scrum, CRAIG HARVEY broke through the first tackle and beat other defenders to score under the posts- JAMES ANNETTS converted, 5-19 (27 mins). STEVE PENDERGAST came on for CHRIS HUGHES.
In the period before half time, DP had their best spell of the game and were able to exert some pressure on the Wirral line aided by number of penalties in their favour. From a penalty close to the line, which was quickly taken, prop Joe Lowcock crashed over for the try, which was not converted, despite further pressure from the Yorkshiremen, the Wirral defence held out leaving the score 10-19 at half-time. JAMES REEVE came on for TOM PARRY.
The second half commenced with Wirral, having the slight wind advantage, being able to put pressure on DP but the home sides defence held out. Poor decision making by Wirral followed when kickable penalties were turned down as they sought the try bonus point. The ball was lost and DP made their way downfield to put pressure on the Wirral Line but a great steal by JAMES REEVE enabled the backs to kick clear downfield. On 52mins, CHRIS TYSON, TOM PARRY and CHRIS HUGHES were on for RYAN STEAD, JAMES REEVE and STEVE PENDERGAST respectively.
Wirral were now in the ascendancy and on 55minutes, JAMES ANNETTS put over a penalty from 30m and followed this up 7 minutes later with another from the same distance to extend the Wirral lead to 10-25 and more importantly putting them 3 scores ahead of DP. A chance for DP to get back on the score board was lost when a clear try scoring opportunity was missed by the home side when a pass was dropped. On 69 minutes, RYAN STEAD and JAMES REEVE came on for PAUL LEWIS and CHRIS BURROWS respectively.
The final 12 minutes were all Wirral as they sought to achieve the try bonus point and a couple of opportunities were denied as they were brought back for forward passes. In the final minute of the game having been awarded a penalty, Wirral kicked for the corner and DP were penalised again following the line out. A quickly taken penalty by CRAIG HARVEY saw him stopped 1m from the line, a slip pass saw SAM BROADBENT collect and crash over for the bonus point. JAMES ANNETTS converted from wide out and with that the referee called time.
As a result of the match today, Wirral now lead the table after 3 matches including two difficult away matches. Next week the first team are at home to Kendal where a bigger than usual crowd is anticipated.
For those who travelled to Doncaster, do not forget to cast your vote for MAN OF THE MATCH. The first team appreciated the support from the Wirral supporters who had made the long journey to view the game.
Richard McNeil
The game started with both sides playing attacking rugby with the highlight of the opening minutes being a thunderous tackle by CHRIS BURROWS, which left the DP centre somewhat dazed. On 7 minutes, JAMES ANNETTS made a half-break and passed on to CRAIG HARVEY who outpaced the covering defence to score 10m from the touchline, the conversion was missed, 0-5. Immediately DP hit back to score with a well worked backs move from 30m out by William Burden, again the conversion was missed 5-5 (12 mins). The away side continued to exert pressure and were camped in the DP 20m area but eventually Wirral transgressed and DP were able to clear.
On 20 minutes, Wirral were able to take the lead again, when DP won their put in at a scrum but on passing out could not make progress and the ball popped up, was collected by ROB PEARL who outpaced the defence from 50m out to score under the posts, JAMES ANNETTS converted. With Wirral now controlling play, a long kick downfield by CRAIG HARVEY was taken by the DP full back under pressure and he sliced his clearance to touch. From the resultant play, Wirral advanced, were awarded a scrum some 15m out and on winning the scrum, CRAIG HARVEY broke through the first tackle and beat other defenders to score under the posts- JAMES ANNETTS converted, 5-19 (27 mins). STEVE PENDERGAST came on for CHRIS HUGHES.
In the period before half time, DP had their best spell of the game and were able to exert some pressure on the Wirral line aided by number of penalties in their favour. From a penalty close to the line, which was quickly taken, prop Joe Lowcock crashed over for the try, which was not converted, despite further pressure from the Yorkshiremen, the Wirral defence held out leaving the score 10-19 at half-time. JAMES REEVE came on for TOM PARRY.
The second half commenced with Wirral, having the slight wind advantage, being able to put pressure on DP but the home sides defence held out. Poor decision making by Wirral followed when kickable penalties were turned down as they sought the try bonus point. The ball was lost and DP made their way downfield to put pressure on the Wirral Line but a great steal by JAMES REEVE enabled the backs to kick clear downfield. On 52mins, CHRIS TYSON, TOM PARRY and CHRIS HUGHES were on for RYAN STEAD, JAMES REEVE and STEVE PENDERGAST respectively.
Wirral were now in the ascendancy and on 55minutes, JAMES ANNETTS put over a penalty from 30m and followed this up 7 minutes later with another from the same distance to extend the Wirral lead to 10-25 and more importantly putting them 3 scores ahead of DP. A chance for DP to get back on the score board was lost when a clear try scoring opportunity was missed by the home side when a pass was dropped. On 69 minutes, RYAN STEAD and JAMES REEVE came on for PAUL LEWIS and CHRIS BURROWS respectively.
The final 12 minutes were all Wirral as they sought to achieve the try bonus point and a couple of opportunities were denied as they were brought back for forward passes. In the final minute of the game having been awarded a penalty, Wirral kicked for the corner and DP were penalised again following the line out. A quickly taken penalty by CRAIG HARVEY saw him stopped 1m from the line, a slip pass saw SAM BROADBENT collect and crash over for the bonus point. JAMES ANNETTS converted from wide out and with that the referee called time.
As a result of the match today, Wirral now lead the table after 3 matches including two difficult away matches. Next week the first team are at home to Kendal where a bigger than usual crowd is anticipated.
For those who travelled to Doncaster, do not forget to cast your vote for MAN OF THE MATCH. The first team appreciated the support from the Wirral supporters who had made the long journey to view the game.
Richard McNeil
Further reading
Team Sponsors
