Match Preview

For the third week in a row Wirral 1st XV face unfamiliar opposition in the form of visitors, Harrogate who, along with last weeks opposition Preston GH were relegated from Division 2 last season.

The Club was founded in 1871 as Harrogate Football Club, the same year as the Rugby Football Union and played their first match on 16 December of that year. When the leagues were formed in 1987 the club was placed in North 1. Subsequent promotions resulted in Harrogate joining the third tier for the 1994–95 season and they remained at that level for thirteen seasons. However, the club has been relegated twice and is playing in regional rugby for the first time in more than twenty years.
Harrogate's most successful season was 2001–02 when they finished fourth in the league, won the Yorkshire Cup and won the National 7s competition.[7] In 2015 the club won the Yorkshire Cup for the tenth time. At the start of the 2015–16 season after a wait of 15 years, Harrogate moved from their old ground of Claro Road (where they had been for 119 years) to a new location at Rudding Lane.

Harrogate is one of the six sides above our 1st XV in the table and currently lie in 5th place. In common with all the sides above Wirral, they have won both of their opening fixtures. Both fixtures have been against opposition that have been very competitive at this level in previous years so their campaign to get promoted back to League 2 has started very well. Against Billingham away on the new 3G pitch they won by the narrowest of margins; successful driving mauls being a feature against the free-running Teessiders. Then at Rudding Lane they comprehensively defeated Sandal with set pieces being a particularly powerful weapon. 'Gate's game is not all about the forwards though, new half-back Luke White's kicking both from the tee and from hand has also been proved to be a valuable asset.

For the second week Wirral face opposition that are likely to be in the promotion mix at the end of the season and will have to be right on top of their game to come away with the win.

Don't forget that for the first time prior to the game Wirral are offering a Family Fun Lunch; to book contact either Charlotte Clynch, on either 0151 336 7303 or email charlotte.clynch@firtree.uk.com, or alternatively speak to Dave Harvey, 077737770384 or email daverv6@hotmail.com.