Williams 4 Tries Set Up Wirral Win

In the first minute, Waterloo were awarded a penalty some 42m out and Liam Reeve’s kick hit the upright and Wirral cleared. It soon became apparent that Wirral were going to play attacking rugby when a 20m grubber kick by CRAIG HARVEY was collected by MARK WILLIAMS only for him to make good ground before being tackled. Wirral worked their way down to the Waterloo 20m area and although the home side had the ball, Wirral contained them in this area until the ball was lost and seized by Wirral, a long pass from CRAIG HARVEY put MARK WILLIAMS in at the corner. From the touchline the conversion from JAMES ANNETTS hit the upright. 0-5 (6 minutes). Three minutes later, Wirral had scored again when a half break from CRAIG HARVEY saw JACK YARKER striding towards the line 40m out but his sidestep did not fool anyone and was tackled but from the resultant play the forwards combined to put DAN HARVEY in for a try near the posts, which JAMES ANNETTS converted. 0-12 (9 minutes).
From the kick off, Waterloo regained the ball and set up an attack, the ball was intercepted by PAUL LEWIS who set off for the line some 70m ahead, but the anticipation of having to run that far was soon apparent as he passed to the speedier, CHRIS BURROWS who was in support to run in the remaining 40m and score close to the corner, the conversion was missed. 0-17 (12minutes). Wirral were rampant another break was brought back for a forward pass before the best try of the first half was scored. From a position on the half way line, JOE MURRAY went blind and fed JAMES ANNETTS who jinked past one drew the winger before releasing MARK WILLIAMS who from 40m out had time to cut inside the full back to score under the posts, again converted by JAMES. 0-24 (16 minutes). This must be the quickest time Wirral have registered a try bonus point and scoring 4 tries in 11 minutes. ROB PEARL suffered a slight injury and was replaced by CHRIS SPEED
For the next 15 minutes, Wirral appeared to take the foot off the pedal and Waterloo had the territorial advantage as they had a succession of 5m line outs but they were met by a strong defence and not aided by their line out throws not being straight. On 26 minutes, MATT LOON was sin binned for entering a ruck from the side. A further 2 substitutions were then made, CHRIS HUGHES and KEITH MAHON coming on for JACK YARKER and PAUL LEWIS respectively.
Wirral returned to scoring in the 33rd minute when a break in mid field by JOE MURRAY could have led to him scoring but he passed onto DAN HARVEY who went in for his second try and this was also converted by JAMES ANNETTS- 0-31. On 36 minutes, Waterloo scored their only points of the afternoon when from close to the white wash replacement forward Mark Rylance scrambled over from a couple of metres, the conversion hit the upright. Wirral still had time to make another attack when MATT LOON broke through and passed onto MARK WILLIAMS only for him to be stopped 15m from the line. The half time score was 5-31.
The second half started with Waterloo on the attack and a kick through gave the left winger a chance to score but he appeared to knock the ball on over the line. On 45 mins a scrum in mid- field saw CRAIG HARVEY set up a move which saw MATT LOON take the ball at full pace and he outstripped the defence to score under the posts, with JAMES ANNETTS converting, 5-38. Wirral continued to make progress through their backs, with good inter passing. PAUL LEWIS came on for CHRIS BURROWS (50 mins). On 56 minutes, Wirral were again attacking from a scrum and the ball was switched to the blindside, where CRAIG HARVEY set up MATT LOON for him to cut inside and score, the conversion was missed- 5-43. JACK YARKER came on for RYAN HIGGINSON.
Wirral were now in full control and a half break by CRAIG HARVEY put in a double miss pass to MARK WILLIAMS who took a high ball well before coming inside his man to score under the posts, the try was converted by JAMES ANNETTS, 5-50 (60 mins). The question now being asked: how many points could Wirral score? A penalty under the posts was turned down as Wirral opted for a scrum, the ball was passed wide and that man again, MARK WILLIAMS was on hand to dive in at the corner, this was again converted by JAMES ANNETTS. 5-57 (66 minutes). Wirral were now looking as if they could score whenever in possession and controlled Waterloo to the mid-field. On 71 minutes, Waterloo dropped the ball in mid field, this was picked up by SAM BROADBENT who although tackled got the ball away to captain, CRAIG HARVEY who broke through and outpaced the defence to score from 40m out, again converted by JAMES ANNETTS. 5-64.
Waterloo kicked deep and Wirral were passing from behind their line, MARK WILLIAMS then started on a run through the Waterloo defence before being stopped 40m from the Waterloo line, the move was progressed before the home defence were able to nullify the attack. No further progress could be made as time was called a couple of minutes early.
The coaching team would have taken a 64-5 win at the outset but several opportunities were missed where they could have added to that score and disappointment at not clearing the ball which then led to Waterloo’s try.
Wirral move up to 4th in the league and lie only 2 points behind second placed Rossendale and it should be borne in mind that we have already played 2nd (Rossendale) and 3rd (Billingham) away from home. Next week, Wirral are at home to unbeaten league leaders, Huddersfield at the Memorial Ground.
Richard McNeil