This was a thriller, with Wirral just failing to score the winning try with the last action of the game, which would have been a deserved victory for the rugby they played.
Wirral would have played the same team as last week but PHIL DONALDSON pulled out with a neck injury but were fortunate as JAMES ANNETTS came available and he took Phil’s place in the centre. The subs were CHRIS SPEED, PAUL SHERLOCK and BENJAMIN MARSH - the latter returning to the first team squad after a series of injuries.
Although this was early November, the playing conditions were ideal with Wirral playing with the sun in their eyes in the first half along with the advantage of the cross wind.
Within 5 mins. The BP second row, George Carpenter had to retire with a leg injury and was replaced by Dave Rodgers. The early pressure was coming from the home team but good defence from Wirral rebuffed the early thrusts. An excellent clearance by DANNY HARVEY brought play deep into the BP half and Wirral were subsequently awarded a penalty but from 35m wide out this was missed as CRAIG HARVEY kicked into the cross wind.
Maintaining pressure in the BP 20m area and taking advantage of the large dead ball area, a grubber kick from Craig, was followed up by brother, Danny to collect and score near the posts, which Craig converted. 0-7 (16 mins). 2 mins later, Wirral doubled their lead with the try of the game. Wirral turned over the ball from a BP attack in their own 20m area and the ball was passed down the backs, JAMES ANNETTS received the ball and split the BP defence with a searing break, taking play some 60m up the field before off loading to supporting runners, who passed onto CRAIG HARVEY, who sped away from the covering defence to score under the posts where he converted his own try. 0-14 (18mins).
Despite these setbacks, BP still maintained pressure through their forwards and with play in the Wirral 20m area they had a series of 5 m scrums and line outs. From one of these mauls, they went blind and a quick pass to left winger, Warren Duffy left him with a stroll over the line unopposed. The conversion was missed. 5-14 (28 mins) BP were dominating play and a break in mid field from some 60m out by one of the centres and a series of passes to supporting players saw Ronan O’Brien cross to score, which he also converted. 12-14 (32 mins)
BP came close to scoring a few mins later when second row, Alex Ellis thought he had scored only to find he had put a foot in touch. Wirral took the line out and palmed the ball back, missing the scrum half and the BP hooker, Andy Wilson was quickest to react and touched down in the corner and the conversion was missed. 17-14 (36mins). The scoring in the first half was not complete as Wirral made progress up the field and a penalty was awarded some 36m out which Craig converted to leave the score 17 all at half time.
The second half started with pressure from BP and a series of thrusts through their forwards brought them close to the Wirral line, on two occasions the ball was dropped within metres of the line. With play contained in the Wirral half, there was a lengthy delay due to an injury to TIM HODSON. From the resultant play a series of forward moves made progress, the ball was released and the BP fly half, threw out a long pass to the left winger, Warren Duffy, who ran in from 20m unopposed, the try was converted by O’Brien to enable BP to again take the lead 24-17 (55 mins). This was quickly followed by a push over try from Andy Wilson, his second of the game after a series of 5m line outs and scrums, this try was not converted 29-17 (57 mins).
CHRIS SPEED came on for MARK GIDMAN. At this stage of the second half, Wirral had no worthwhile possession but gradually they worked themselves back into the game and it was essential that any ball gained had to be kept in hand. BENJAMIN MARSH had come into No 8 with DAVE DONEO moving to second row in place of COLIN DYER. From the first scrum since Ben came on he picked up and advanced a few metres and Wirral were awarded a penalty. This penalty was quickly taken by JOE MURRAY who passed onto SAM BROADBENT, who from 40m out weaved his way through the BP defence to be hauled down 10m from the line but had the opportunity to put in a pop pass to SAM EDGAR who hurdled a prone BP player to score in the corner, the try was not converted. 29-22 (59 mins).
No sooner had these substitutions being undertaken when Tim went down with an ankle injury and he had to leave the field. PAUL SHERLOCK came on in his place.
The final minutes of the game saw pressure from Wirral with play being contained in the BP half as BP infringed, on a couple of occasions, kicks to goal were spurned as Wirral went for 5m line outs but these came to naught. Eventually one of the penalties was taken and Craig duly converted. 29-25.
Wirral continued to press for another score but could not find a way through-a further grubber kick akin to Wirral’s first try was attempted by Craig but Wirral were thwarted, as BP managed to scramble clear with an attacker was about to pounce. BP’s nerves were fraying and with the final play of the game, Wirral broke into the BP 20m area and with a clear overlap, the full back was drawn but the final pass did not go to hand and the chance of winning was lost. Immediately the referee blew for time.
With a greater percentage of possession then Wirral would surely have won this game and they did have the opportunity in the final moments to end BP’s unbeaten home record. They were disappointed to only take one point from this game. The game was played in great spirit by both teams with few penalties.
Wirral slip to 7th as BP overtake them in this competitive league.

Next week Wirral have a home match against Northwich, in what should be an open game, given the two games between these two sides last season.
Richard McNeil