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Sat 16 Dec 2017 ·  Northern Premier
1st XVPreston Grasshoppers
7
14
Wirral Almost take Preston's Scalp
Andrew Broadbent19 Dec 2017 - 08:10
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Wirral were unlucky to get only a losing bonus point; as was obvious from the opposition's reaction to even just winning turnovers!
Wirral were unlucky to come out of this game with only a losing bonus point having given PG their hardest game of the season as emphasised by their gesture at even winning a turnover!
PG came with their unbeaten record whilst Wirral were defending their unbeaten home record. Whilst many matches in the league and surrounding area were postponed due to the incessant rain the decision to play this game was justified and the drainage installed three seasons ago did its job although conditions were heavy.
Wirral fielded the same squad as selected for the Rossendale game with PAUL LEWIS starting in the second row with Jamie Thompson reverting to the subs bench with RYAN STEAD and JACK YARKER. PG kicked off towards the clubhouse in what was a downpour, which lasted some 10 minutes. Wirral knocked on from the kick off giving PG the scrum some 20ms out which they won and mauled their way to the Wirral line and scored through prop, Oga Mabaya and converted by Jake Squirrel, 0-7 (2mins).
Given the heavy conditions and the strength of the PG defence the decision was made to kick long and following such a kick led by RYAN HIGGINSON, PG were stopped in their 20m area with Wirral winning a turnover but with ball in hand made slow progress. A blind side move from CRAIG HARVEY nearly proved beneficial but the final pass just missed the target however PG did not clear and back came Wirral who were stopped again after several thrusts, the ball came out to PAUL LEWIS who put in a deft cross kick which was caught by MATT LOON who crossed in the corner unopposed, JAMES ANNETTS landed a superb conversion. 7-7 (12 minutes).
Play was now concentrated in mid field for most of the half and it was apparent that PG were finding it difficult to make headway and resorted to some off the ball incidents which were not seen by the referee and made the exchanges a little more feisty, with both captains being spoken to. In the 4 minutes before half time a long pass from midfield to the PG left winger, who made some 50m before being tackled. PG retained possession and mauled their way to the Wirral line where the other PG prop, Peter Altham was propelled over the line and again converted by Squirrel. 7-14 (36 minutes). Altham reacted strongly to being tackled and was the first of the PG players to be sin binned.
Shortly after half time, JACK YARKER came on for CHRIS HUGHES, who was carrying an injury. At this early stage of the second half, it was apparent that Wirral were having more possession and accordingly kicked long into the PG 20m area. The defences were on top and Wirral were not able to make much progress. RYAN STEAD and JAMIE THOMPSON came on for PAUL LEWIS and KEITH MAHON. This territorial advantage continued and more so in the last 15 minutes, where a succession of penalties allowed Wirral a series of 5m and 10m line outs, during this period , MATT DALTON caught the ball only to be tackled in mid-air, penalties but no yellow cards. Wirral mauled their way to the line only for PG to collapse the maul deliberately, still no penalty try. PG came in at the side to kick the ball away, again the referee did not see it or do anything, In the final 10minutes, PG were penalised as two players were sin binned. To their credit PG held out, just and the coaching staff and players were very relieved to hear the final whistle.
The viewing of the recording of the match will be interesting to watch and one which the referee is to undertake, however it does not change the result. Perhaps in hindsight, Wirral should have taken penalty opportunities at the posts ; which may have changed the result.
Wirral’s next match is away to Harrogate on the 6th January and for those who wish to follow the team, please see the club board for details of the time the coach is to depart.
Richard McNeil
PG came with their unbeaten record whilst Wirral were defending their unbeaten home record. Whilst many matches in the league and surrounding area were postponed due to the incessant rain the decision to play this game was justified and the drainage installed three seasons ago did its job although conditions were heavy.
Wirral fielded the same squad as selected for the Rossendale game with PAUL LEWIS starting in the second row with Jamie Thompson reverting to the subs bench with RYAN STEAD and JACK YARKER. PG kicked off towards the clubhouse in what was a downpour, which lasted some 10 minutes. Wirral knocked on from the kick off giving PG the scrum some 20ms out which they won and mauled their way to the Wirral line and scored through prop, Oga Mabaya and converted by Jake Squirrel, 0-7 (2mins).
Given the heavy conditions and the strength of the PG defence the decision was made to kick long and following such a kick led by RYAN HIGGINSON, PG were stopped in their 20m area with Wirral winning a turnover but with ball in hand made slow progress. A blind side move from CRAIG HARVEY nearly proved beneficial but the final pass just missed the target however PG did not clear and back came Wirral who were stopped again after several thrusts, the ball came out to PAUL LEWIS who put in a deft cross kick which was caught by MATT LOON who crossed in the corner unopposed, JAMES ANNETTS landed a superb conversion. 7-7 (12 minutes).
Play was now concentrated in mid field for most of the half and it was apparent that PG were finding it difficult to make headway and resorted to some off the ball incidents which were not seen by the referee and made the exchanges a little more feisty, with both captains being spoken to. In the 4 minutes before half time a long pass from midfield to the PG left winger, who made some 50m before being tackled. PG retained possession and mauled their way to the Wirral line where the other PG prop, Peter Altham was propelled over the line and again converted by Squirrel. 7-14 (36 minutes). Altham reacted strongly to being tackled and was the first of the PG players to be sin binned.
Shortly after half time, JACK YARKER came on for CHRIS HUGHES, who was carrying an injury. At this early stage of the second half, it was apparent that Wirral were having more possession and accordingly kicked long into the PG 20m area. The defences were on top and Wirral were not able to make much progress. RYAN STEAD and JAMIE THOMPSON came on for PAUL LEWIS and KEITH MAHON. This territorial advantage continued and more so in the last 15 minutes, where a succession of penalties allowed Wirral a series of 5m and 10m line outs, during this period , MATT DALTON caught the ball only to be tackled in mid-air, penalties but no yellow cards. Wirral mauled their way to the line only for PG to collapse the maul deliberately, still no penalty try. PG came in at the side to kick the ball away, again the referee did not see it or do anything, In the final 10minutes, PG were penalised as two players were sin binned. To their credit PG held out, just and the coaching staff and players were very relieved to hear the final whistle.
The viewing of the recording of the match will be interesting to watch and one which the referee is to undertake, however it does not change the result. Perhaps in hindsight, Wirral should have taken penalty opportunities at the posts ; which may have changed the result.
Wirral’s next match is away to Harrogate on the 6th January and for those who wish to follow the team, please see the club board for details of the time the coach is to depart.
Richard McNeil
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