Jack's Double Powers Wirral to Victory

After continued heavy rain during the week, the Memorial Ground pitch was in excellent condition for the match against Morley, who after a difficult start found themselves in the bottom 3 of the table. Changes to the team saw JOSH STEAD making his first appearance of the season having returned to the club from Birkenhead Park coming in for CHRIS CROWLEY, who has gone out to Australia on his gap year. MATT DALTON came in for RYAN STEAD (unavailable), JAMES REEVE for ROB PEARL (injured) with CHRIS BURROWS and CHRIS TYSON joining STEVE PENDERGAST On the subs bench.
Wirral were playing towards the club house in the first half and after not finding touch and a counter attack by Morley, Wirral were penalised and the away side took the lead in the first minute through captain, Mark Chesters with a 25m penalty. Although Wirral had the territory they could not break down the Morley defence but on the first occasion the ball went out to the backs they scored a try only to be brought back for a forward pass. Wirral had to be wary of the pace and ability to beat a man of the Morley full back and right winger as they made ground downfield. A line out to Wirral 10m from the Morley line brought the first try when the forwards advanced to the Morley line and a short pass from KEITH MAHON put in TOM PARRY, with JAMES ANNETTS converting 8m from the touchline. 7-3 (14 minutes). Defences from both sides were cancelling each other out and it took a well taken 45m penalty from CRAIG HARVEY to give Wirral a line out 5m out, again the pressure from the Wirral pack resulted in JACK YARKER scoring and the conversion was made by James from the same position, 14-3 (24 minutes).
The line outs were proving lucrative for Wirral with the clean catches and from 20m out the Wirral pack worked their way forward and after a number of thrusts at the whitewash, KEITH MAHON dived over close to the posts, JAMES ANNETTS was on hand to convert, 21-3 (29 minutes). With Wirral now in the ascendancy they were looking for the fourth try and the bonus point in the period before half time but dogged defence by Morley kept Wirral at bay. There was a break by JAMES ANNETTS from well inside his own half and with cover ahead a cross kick to the middle of the park saw this collected on the bounce by MATT LOON but the defence was on hand to stifle the attack some 20m short of the Morley line. Half time 21-3.
CHRIS BURROWS came on for JAMES REEVE. Shortly after half time, Wirral gave away a penalty for kicking through at the ruck which gave Morley a line out 5 m out and after subduing the Morley forwards they eventually powered over the line through prop, Greg Jones and comfortably converted by Mark Chesters. CHRIS TYSON came on for KEITH MAHON. The first 15 minutes of the second half was all Morley who were being urged on by their spectators and coaching staff and were making matters hard for Wirral to clear their lines but the home defence remained solid.
Eventually Wirral were able to get control of the ball and when in hand they made the hard meters. A quickly taken free kick was stopped by the Morley winger who was not the required 10m and was subsequently yellow carded. STEVE PENDERGAST came on for RYAN HIGGINSON (68 minutes). Pressure was on the Morley line as repeated thrusts were made, the ball was spun right and STUART GRATTON surprisingly found himself in space, a shimmy and a side step resulted in Stuart crossing over unopposed, to score the valuable 4th try and earn the bonus point. The conversion by JAMES ANNETTS was missed; if it had been converted it would have given the full back his 17th consecutive successful kick at goal. 26-10 (74 minutes). It was now all Wirral a great penalty kick to 10m from the Morley line resulted in the backs setting up a move resulting in a try only for this to be disallowed for crossing. Back came Wirral with a break by JAMES ANNETTS only to be tackled 20m out but retaining possession, Wirral worked their way to the whitewash and with the last play of the game saw JACK YARKER cross for his second try and I believe his first double at first team level. The try was converted by JAMES ANNETTS and the referee called time.
Next week the team are away at Billingham on their new 4G pitch. The coach will be leaving early for Billingham so please view the noticeboard for times.
Richard McNeil