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Sat 08 Oct 2016 · National League 3 North
1st XVHull
Tries: R Pearl (2), M Loon, C Harvey, J MurrayConversions: J Annetts (2)Penalties: J Annetts
32
18
Pearl Tries Set Up Wirral Victory
Andrew Broadbent9 Oct 2016 - 17:56
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In a game dedicated to the late Derek Parry, the team showed a much improved performance over the last two games and come away with the win.
With both teams having identical playing records this season and our two matches last season such close affairs this was always going to be a tough fixture played before the Vice Presidents following their annual luncheon and in commemoration of the late Derek Parry.
Wirral made a tactical change, moving JAMES ANNETTS back to full back to give him more space for his strong running and DANNY HARVEY back to centre. RYAN STEAD was back from injury into the second row and CHRIS SPEED (sporting a new hairstyle!!) on the subs bench. MATT LOON was back on the right wing leaving JAMES REEVE, CHRIS TYSON and ADAM SHELDON returning to the successful second team.
Within 2 minutes of the start, Hull had a player leave the field with a head injury. The first 10 minutes saw both teams testing each other out with play restricted to mid field. Wirral turned down a penalty opportunity and kicked for touch, winning the line out, the home team put pressure on the Hull line and JOE MURRAY almost scrambled over just being hauled down less than a metre short. A 5m scrum did not yield any points and eventually Hull cleared.
Hull looked strong when attacking and through their centre play made ground to the Wirral 20m area, when scrum half Harvey Harding found a gap to run 15m and score under the posts. The conversion from Tanumi Tomasi was charged down and the ball was deflected wide, 0-5 (18 mins).
An injury to CRAIG HARVEY with a dislocated finger meant he had to come off and CHRIS SPEED went into the backs with SAM BROADBENT to fly half. In the meantime, Hull kicked deep downfield, caught by JAMES ANNETTS who side stepped his man, made some distance before putting in a short kick over the defence, the ball was fumbled by a Hull player, picked up by ROB PEARL who raced in from 45m to score wide out, the conversion was missed. 5-5 (21 minutes). After work from SEAN KAY and physio CHRIS MALKIN, CRAIG’s finger was put back into place and duly taped up.
Although Wirral were playing well they were losing too many balls in rucks and when tackled not retaining control, aspects which were on MATT CAIRNS half time coaching comments. On 25 minutes, some 40m out, livewire scrum half JOE MURRAY made a break and passed onto the ever present ROB PEARL who raced in from 20m with two would be tacklers trying to haul him back but to no avail. The conversion was missed. 10-5.
Hull reduced the arrears with a penalty by Tomasi on 30 minutes. CHRIS HUGHES came on for RYAN HIGGINSON. A silly penalty gave Hull ground in the Wirral 20m area, where they had numerous thrusts at the Wirral line until quick passing left gave James Kirk the space to crash over and Hull the lead 10-13, the conversion was missed. In the minute before half time Hull had the chance to extend the lead with a long range penalty attempt but opted for a kick to touch but with the last play of the half the Hull player was tackled into touch when the away side were pressing. Half time 10-13.
Within two minutes of the restart, Wirral were ahead. Hull had kicked the ball dead and a scrum was reset some 60m out, a half break by JAMES ANNETTS took play to some 30m from the Hull line and great interplay between the Wirral backs saw MATT LOON cross wide out, the conversion by JAMES ANNETTS gave Wirral a 17-13 lead. Hull came back strongly and were camped on the Wirral line, the ball was passed out to the left and a try scoring opportunity was lost when the final pass went into touch. KEITH MAHON came on for CHRIS BURROWS, at the same time as the Hull No.8 was yellow carded for a deliberate hand ball when stopping a Wirral attack. Pressure mounted on the Hull line but the home team could not force home there advantage. Two further penalties to Wirral took play downfield from where JAMES ANNETTS kicked the penalty from 18m out from in front of the posts. 20-13 (52 minutes).
Wirral were now playing with more confidence, especially half breaks through the centres and the team were benefitting from being able to control the ball when in possession. A forward thrust from KEITH MAHON took play deep into the Hull 20m area, the ball was sent left, which after a number of passes came back to CRAIG HARVEY who dummied to pass and ran through the Hull defence to score under the posts and give Wirral a try bonus point and duly converted by JAMES ANNETTS 27-13 (61 minutes). RYAN HIGGINSON came on for JACK YARKER. Wirral put the game beyond doubt when they scored their final try on 70 minutes. Hull were on a promising attack when the ball was dropped and picked up by DAN HARVEY who advanced some 20m before making the wrong decision and was tackled but managed to get his pass away to JOE MURRAY, who beat the player in front of him despite being so close to the touchline leaving him then a clear run to the line from 40m to score in the corner, the conversion was missed. 32-13. CHRIS SPEED came on for PAUL LEWIS.
With 5 minutes to go Hull continued attacking and were rewarded with a third try by JAMES KIRK in the corner, the conversion was missed. 32-18. Hull now realising that a try bonus point was possible came back and were again on the Wirral line, a maul was formed the ball came out and MATT LOON picked up to clear but the referee had a different interpretation and he was yellow carded for his actions. The game finished with Wirral just failing with a long range penalty as they took advantage of spending time in the Hull half.
This win improves Wirral’s position to 5th in the league some 2 points behind Rossendale who lie in 2nd place but with a points difference of only 19, this is an aspect that Wirral need to improve on in this highly competitive league, with all teams other than leaders Huddersfield capable of beating each other. Next week is a free week and our next match is away to Waterloo on 22nd October, kick off 3.00pm.
The second team are at home to Crewe and Nantwich in a cup match next Saturday, who they comprehensively beat yesterday, away at Crewe, notwithstanding they played the second half with 14 men.
Richard McNeil
Wirral made a tactical change, moving JAMES ANNETTS back to full back to give him more space for his strong running and DANNY HARVEY back to centre. RYAN STEAD was back from injury into the second row and CHRIS SPEED (sporting a new hairstyle!!) on the subs bench. MATT LOON was back on the right wing leaving JAMES REEVE, CHRIS TYSON and ADAM SHELDON returning to the successful second team.
Within 2 minutes of the start, Hull had a player leave the field with a head injury. The first 10 minutes saw both teams testing each other out with play restricted to mid field. Wirral turned down a penalty opportunity and kicked for touch, winning the line out, the home team put pressure on the Hull line and JOE MURRAY almost scrambled over just being hauled down less than a metre short. A 5m scrum did not yield any points and eventually Hull cleared.
Hull looked strong when attacking and through their centre play made ground to the Wirral 20m area, when scrum half Harvey Harding found a gap to run 15m and score under the posts. The conversion from Tanumi Tomasi was charged down and the ball was deflected wide, 0-5 (18 mins).
An injury to CRAIG HARVEY with a dislocated finger meant he had to come off and CHRIS SPEED went into the backs with SAM BROADBENT to fly half. In the meantime, Hull kicked deep downfield, caught by JAMES ANNETTS who side stepped his man, made some distance before putting in a short kick over the defence, the ball was fumbled by a Hull player, picked up by ROB PEARL who raced in from 45m to score wide out, the conversion was missed. 5-5 (21 minutes). After work from SEAN KAY and physio CHRIS MALKIN, CRAIG’s finger was put back into place and duly taped up.
Although Wirral were playing well they were losing too many balls in rucks and when tackled not retaining control, aspects which were on MATT CAIRNS half time coaching comments. On 25 minutes, some 40m out, livewire scrum half JOE MURRAY made a break and passed onto the ever present ROB PEARL who raced in from 20m with two would be tacklers trying to haul him back but to no avail. The conversion was missed. 10-5.
Hull reduced the arrears with a penalty by Tomasi on 30 minutes. CHRIS HUGHES came on for RYAN HIGGINSON. A silly penalty gave Hull ground in the Wirral 20m area, where they had numerous thrusts at the Wirral line until quick passing left gave James Kirk the space to crash over and Hull the lead 10-13, the conversion was missed. In the minute before half time Hull had the chance to extend the lead with a long range penalty attempt but opted for a kick to touch but with the last play of the half the Hull player was tackled into touch when the away side were pressing. Half time 10-13.
Within two minutes of the restart, Wirral were ahead. Hull had kicked the ball dead and a scrum was reset some 60m out, a half break by JAMES ANNETTS took play to some 30m from the Hull line and great interplay between the Wirral backs saw MATT LOON cross wide out, the conversion by JAMES ANNETTS gave Wirral a 17-13 lead. Hull came back strongly and were camped on the Wirral line, the ball was passed out to the left and a try scoring opportunity was lost when the final pass went into touch. KEITH MAHON came on for CHRIS BURROWS, at the same time as the Hull No.8 was yellow carded for a deliberate hand ball when stopping a Wirral attack. Pressure mounted on the Hull line but the home team could not force home there advantage. Two further penalties to Wirral took play downfield from where JAMES ANNETTS kicked the penalty from 18m out from in front of the posts. 20-13 (52 minutes).
Wirral were now playing with more confidence, especially half breaks through the centres and the team were benefitting from being able to control the ball when in possession. A forward thrust from KEITH MAHON took play deep into the Hull 20m area, the ball was sent left, which after a number of passes came back to CRAIG HARVEY who dummied to pass and ran through the Hull defence to score under the posts and give Wirral a try bonus point and duly converted by JAMES ANNETTS 27-13 (61 minutes). RYAN HIGGINSON came on for JACK YARKER. Wirral put the game beyond doubt when they scored their final try on 70 minutes. Hull were on a promising attack when the ball was dropped and picked up by DAN HARVEY who advanced some 20m before making the wrong decision and was tackled but managed to get his pass away to JOE MURRAY, who beat the player in front of him despite being so close to the touchline leaving him then a clear run to the line from 40m to score in the corner, the conversion was missed. 32-13. CHRIS SPEED came on for PAUL LEWIS.
With 5 minutes to go Hull continued attacking and were rewarded with a third try by JAMES KIRK in the corner, the conversion was missed. 32-18. Hull now realising that a try bonus point was possible came back and were again on the Wirral line, a maul was formed the ball came out and MATT LOON picked up to clear but the referee had a different interpretation and he was yellow carded for his actions. The game finished with Wirral just failing with a long range penalty as they took advantage of spending time in the Hull half.
This win improves Wirral’s position to 5th in the league some 2 points behind Rossendale who lie in 2nd place but with a points difference of only 19, this is an aspect that Wirral need to improve on in this highly competitive league, with all teams other than leaders Huddersfield capable of beating each other. Next week is a free week and our next match is away to Waterloo on 22nd October, kick off 3.00pm.
The second team are at home to Crewe and Nantwich in a cup match next Saturday, who they comprehensively beat yesterday, away at Crewe, notwithstanding they played the second half with 14 men.
Richard McNeil
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