The match v Ilkley followed the Past Players luncheon and the conditions with rain threatening were heavy and not conducive to Wirral’s attacking play.
Wirral made a number of changes with MATT LOON returning to the wing in place of MARK GIDMAN and STEVE PENDERGAST coming in for the injured RYAN HIGGINSON (dislocated knee cap). JASON GREEN made his first appearance of the season in the absence of MATT RINGER (not available).The other substitutes being CHRIS SPEED and CHRIS TYSON. Wirral played towards the road and against the wind.
The game started positively for Wirral who had much possession and territorial advantage but could not get that vital breakthrough that we had seen in recent matches. As the game wore on, Ilkley were kicking downfield on every opportunity with Wirral looking to doing the same thing instead of adopting their usual game of counter attacking. Play was now being maintained in midfield.
On 31 minutes, CHRIS TYSON and STEVE PENDERGAST replaced PAUL LEWIS and CHRIS HUGHES. During this first half, Wirral were moving the ball but on a number of occasions the wrong option was taken or the ball was dropped/stolen or intercepted. Ilkley had had two long range penalty attempts by Joe Rowntree which failed but succeeded with his their attempt from 20m when Wirral were carelessly penalised when in possession of the ball. When Ilkley had the ball in hand it was they who were making the hard yards. The score at half time 0-3.
The second half commenced with optimism from Wirral as they pushed the Ilkley back some 20m, however they were in mid field and not in a try scoring position. From such a scrum, KEITH MAHON picked up and made a forceful 20m run to set up the backs only for the ball to be given away. ROB PEARL left the field for attention to a badly cut ear but when made 3 inter changes some minutes later, ROB PEARL, PAUL LEWIS and CHRIS HUGHES re-joined in place of KEITH MAHON, STEVE PENDERGAST and CHRIS TYSON.
A rare break by Wirral down the right hand side saw MARK WILLIAMS make ground down the touchline only to be tackled metres from the line only for the pass inside not going to hand. This was typical on such a day when chances were few and far between.
A further ILKLEY attempt at goal was missed on 67 minutes and from play in the Wirral half, an attempt at a drop kick was made, this hardly reached above ground level as it scuffed along the ground to hit the post and a Wirral player (who shall be nameless) missed the ball to clear the problem and as a result the ILKLEY prop, Ollie Holtam was on hand to dive on the ball and score with Joe Rowntree converting to give the away side a 10 point cushion.
Ilkley were full of confidence now as they ran the ball on every occasion, trying to bring their powerful right winger into the game more. Much as Wirral tried they could make little impression against ILKLEY and the kicking game paid off for the away side as they contained Wirral in their half, winning ball and eventually the pressure told in the 78th minute when the other Ilkley prop, Josh Cockerham crossed for a try, which was not converted.
Although an additional 6 minutes were played, Wirral could not make progress and it was a dejected Wirral side that left the field at the final whistle. I cannot recall a game where Wirral have failed to score, not even a kick at goal! and on reflection nothing went for them on Saturday afternoon with too many dropped passes, wrong options taken, a heavy pitch and a barrage of kicks which they faced which did not allow them to play the free flowing rugby which we know they are capable of.
This loss, I feel, puts paid to any chance of a play- off position. Next week we are at home to “neighbours” Lymm, kick off 2.30pm.
Richard McNeil