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Sat 16 Sep 2017 · Northern Premier
1st XVHarrogate
Tries: J Annetts (2), C Crowley, R Stead, J Reeve, M WilliamsConversions: J Annetts (6)Penalties: J Annetts (3)Yellow Carded: K Mahon, M Gidman
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Annetts 31 Point Blitz Sees Off Harrogate
Andrew Broadbent18 Sep 2017 - 07:55
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In this third game of the league season, Wirral were again playing opponents whom they have never played before, this week it was Harrogate who were visiting the Memorial Ground.
With CHRIS SPEED both injured and in Dubai, MATT LOON returned to the wing, RYAN STEAD started in place of MATT DILLON (not available). The substitutes were STEVE PENDERGAST, JAMIE THOMPSON and JAMES REEVE. Following heavy rainfall in the past 9 days, the ground was in excellent condition as usual. Wirral played towards the road and against the wind in the first half.
The first 5 minutes saw Harrogate in control of the ball but not able to make progress. On the first opportunity that Wirral had the ball, a quickly taken penalty by CHRIS CROWLEY advanced play into the Harrogate half and pass on to ROB PEARL, who was stopped 10m from the line. Wirral awarded a penalty, 19m out which was kicked by JAMES ANNETTS, 3-0 (8 minutes). Both teams were looking to attack at every opportunity, Wirral through their backs and Harrogate through their forwards. Three minutes later, Wirral were back on the attack, CRAIG HARVEY advanced forward and a well- timed pass saw JAMES ANNETTS take up a line that split the away defence to scorch in from 20m to score under the posts and he duly converted. 10-0 (11 minutes). At this stage it was now all Wirral and had to settle for a further penalty from James, 13-0 (22 minutes).
From the kick off, Harrogate gained control of the ball and through their forwards made ground towards the Wirral line and were awarded a penalty try. 13-7 (28 minutes). From the kick off, Wirral were able to contain Harrogate in their 20m area. On looking to clear their lines a clearance was charged down and CHRIS CROWLEY was on hand to pick up and race in for a touch-down and from 10m in from the touchline, JAMES ANNETTS converted .20-7 (30 minutes) Within 4 minutes, Wirral scored again when pressure from Wirral in the Harrogate 20m area saw a half break from CRAIG HARVEY before passing to RYAN STEAD who scored close to the posts and again converted by James to give Wirral a 27-7 lead. It was good to see Ryan on the score sheet. The remaining minutes of the first half saw Harrogate in the Wirral 20m and close to the line, the scrum pressure began to show and after three 5m scrums, where Wirral held out, but Wirral were penalised and KEITH MAHON received a yellow card, however Wirral were able to keep Harrogate out. The score at half time was 27-7, a well-deserved but surprising lead for Wirral.
Harrogate left the pitch at half time and no doubt came out with the coaches words ringing in their ears as there was a definite renewed energy in their early play and pressure on the Wirral line was rewarded with a try by second row Sam Brady, who forced his way over from close in near the posts and converted by Luke White. 27-14 (43 minutes). Five minutes later, MARK GIDMAN had a 10 minute rest in the sin bin (tackling without arms), JAMIE THOMPSON came on for RYAN STEAD and this was quickly followed by the slimmed down JAMES REEVE for KEITH MAHON. Both teams were continuing to play attacking rugby with Wirral threatening more when in possession. On 63 minutes the Harrogate open side Johnny Coser was sin binned for over rigorous play and JAMES ANNETTS was on hand to kick a penalty, 10m in from the touchline to put Wirral ahead by more than 2 scores at 30-14.
From the kick off collected by Wirral, good metres were earned as JAMES REEVE and RYAN HIGGINSON took play downfield, retained by Wirral and Harrogate were exposed down the right with PAUL LEWIS delaying his pass to JAMES ANNETTS, whose pace saw him cross for his second try (and try bonus point) from 25m out, which he duly converted 37-14 (66 minutes). STEVE PENDERGAST came on for RYAN HIGGINSON. Another great run by JAMES REEVE took play into the Harrogate half and further pressure from Wirral resulted in JAMES REEVE, getting the largest cheer of the afternoon as he crossed over under the posts and again converted by JAMES ANNETTS. 44-14 70 minutes.
At this stage it was all Wirral as the Harrogate defence wilted as the Wirral backs made progress downfield with their final try, when TOM PARRY put in MARK WILLIAMS who outpaced the defence to score 16m from the posts, again converted by JAMES ANNETTS to give him 100% success and 31 points for the game. 51-14 (74 minutes).
At this stage Wirral appeared to take their foot off the pedal as Harrogate through their forwards scored with substitute David Doherty touching down and quickly converted by Luke White, 51-21 (78 minutes). Concerted and urgent play by Harrogate as they sought a possibility of a try bonus point was rewarded with a try ( or was it?) with the last play of the game by Sam Brady and duly converted by Luke White to leave Wirral with a convincing but surprising win in terms of the size of victory. This was regarded by many spectators as one of Wirral’s best performances in recent years especially bearing in mind the strength of the opposition.
Wirral play away at Lymm next week, who have made a good start to the season with 3 wins and maximum points as they lead the table.
Richard McNeil
The first 5 minutes saw Harrogate in control of the ball but not able to make progress. On the first opportunity that Wirral had the ball, a quickly taken penalty by CHRIS CROWLEY advanced play into the Harrogate half and pass on to ROB PEARL, who was stopped 10m from the line. Wirral awarded a penalty, 19m out which was kicked by JAMES ANNETTS, 3-0 (8 minutes). Both teams were looking to attack at every opportunity, Wirral through their backs and Harrogate through their forwards. Three minutes later, Wirral were back on the attack, CRAIG HARVEY advanced forward and a well- timed pass saw JAMES ANNETTS take up a line that split the away defence to scorch in from 20m to score under the posts and he duly converted. 10-0 (11 minutes). At this stage it was now all Wirral and had to settle for a further penalty from James, 13-0 (22 minutes).
From the kick off, Harrogate gained control of the ball and through their forwards made ground towards the Wirral line and were awarded a penalty try. 13-7 (28 minutes). From the kick off, Wirral were able to contain Harrogate in their 20m area. On looking to clear their lines a clearance was charged down and CHRIS CROWLEY was on hand to pick up and race in for a touch-down and from 10m in from the touchline, JAMES ANNETTS converted .20-7 (30 minutes) Within 4 minutes, Wirral scored again when pressure from Wirral in the Harrogate 20m area saw a half break from CRAIG HARVEY before passing to RYAN STEAD who scored close to the posts and again converted by James to give Wirral a 27-7 lead. It was good to see Ryan on the score sheet. The remaining minutes of the first half saw Harrogate in the Wirral 20m and close to the line, the scrum pressure began to show and after three 5m scrums, where Wirral held out, but Wirral were penalised and KEITH MAHON received a yellow card, however Wirral were able to keep Harrogate out. The score at half time was 27-7, a well-deserved but surprising lead for Wirral.
Harrogate left the pitch at half time and no doubt came out with the coaches words ringing in their ears as there was a definite renewed energy in their early play and pressure on the Wirral line was rewarded with a try by second row Sam Brady, who forced his way over from close in near the posts and converted by Luke White. 27-14 (43 minutes). Five minutes later, MARK GIDMAN had a 10 minute rest in the sin bin (tackling without arms), JAMIE THOMPSON came on for RYAN STEAD and this was quickly followed by the slimmed down JAMES REEVE for KEITH MAHON. Both teams were continuing to play attacking rugby with Wirral threatening more when in possession. On 63 minutes the Harrogate open side Johnny Coser was sin binned for over rigorous play and JAMES ANNETTS was on hand to kick a penalty, 10m in from the touchline to put Wirral ahead by more than 2 scores at 30-14.
From the kick off collected by Wirral, good metres were earned as JAMES REEVE and RYAN HIGGINSON took play downfield, retained by Wirral and Harrogate were exposed down the right with PAUL LEWIS delaying his pass to JAMES ANNETTS, whose pace saw him cross for his second try (and try bonus point) from 25m out, which he duly converted 37-14 (66 minutes). STEVE PENDERGAST came on for RYAN HIGGINSON. Another great run by JAMES REEVE took play into the Harrogate half and further pressure from Wirral resulted in JAMES REEVE, getting the largest cheer of the afternoon as he crossed over under the posts and again converted by JAMES ANNETTS. 44-14 70 minutes.
At this stage it was all Wirral as the Harrogate defence wilted as the Wirral backs made progress downfield with their final try, when TOM PARRY put in MARK WILLIAMS who outpaced the defence to score 16m from the posts, again converted by JAMES ANNETTS to give him 100% success and 31 points for the game. 51-14 (74 minutes).
At this stage Wirral appeared to take their foot off the pedal as Harrogate through their forwards scored with substitute David Doherty touching down and quickly converted by Luke White, 51-21 (78 minutes). Concerted and urgent play by Harrogate as they sought a possibility of a try bonus point was rewarded with a try ( or was it?) with the last play of the game by Sam Brady and duly converted by Luke White to leave Wirral with a convincing but surprising win in terms of the size of victory. This was regarded by many spectators as one of Wirral’s best performances in recent years especially bearing in mind the strength of the opposition.
Wirral play away at Lymm next week, who have made a good start to the season with 3 wins and maximum points as they lead the table.
Richard McNeil
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