Wirral Lose Out on the Last Play of the Game (Again)

Wirral made changes to the team which won at Rochdale with RICHARD MacMILLAN coming in on the wing for CHRIS SPEED, SAM BROADBENT to centre in place of PHIL DONALDSON, who moved to blindside. CHRIS HUGHES returned to prop in place of DAVID DONEO, the latter returning to No 8 in place of SAM EDGAR, who was not available.
The match was played down the road with Wirral playing towards Bromborough but against the wind. The opening 10 mins saw pressure from Carlisle through the astute kicking of fly half Glen Weightman and the dominant Carlisle pack. Wirral were not able to clear as they had little possession. On the occasions Wirral had the ball they were looking to use the backs and did create a splendid chance with a break of some 60m but the final pass did not go to hand with a clear run to the line begging.
With pressure in the Wirral 20m area only an interception by SAM BROADBENT prevented a try scoring opportunity for Carlisle. On 13 mins Carlisle took the lead when from a 5m scrum, Carlisle No 8 Lee Brumpton picked up to score wide out, with the conversion being missed. 0-5
Gradually Wirral came into the game but did not make the most of their possession as a number of passes were dropped or not going to hand- thus any moves lost momentum. With the majority of the ball, Carlisle’s game plan was to utilize the wind knowing that if Wirral kicked back they would regain possession. On 36 mins, Carlisle were awarded a penalty 20m out directly in front of the posts but surprisingly Glen Weightman missed wide. However 3 mins later he was given another penalty opportunity following a good run by Martin Brodie from some 30m out and this he duly converted, 0-8 at half time.
Immediately after half-time Carlisle missed a further kickable penalty but on 44 mins Wirral were awarded a penalty some 30m out and 5m in from touch, which CRAIG HARVEY scored to reduce the arrears. 3-8. On 50 mins Wirral made their first substitution with MIKE LUDBROOK coming on for CHRIS TYSON, allowing DAVID DONEO to move up to second row. Wirral were now enjoying more possession and on 57 mins were awarded a penalty in an identical position to the earlier penalty scored by Craig. However a quick penalty was taken catching Carlisle somewhat unawares, the ball went down the backs where ROB PEARL spotting a gap in the Carlisle defence, shrugged off a defender to score near the posts. Craig converted to give Wirral the lead 10-8. STEVE PENDERGAST came on for CHRIS HUGHES.
Over the next 8 mins there was an exchange of penalties to leave the score after 65 mins 13-11. At this stage JACK YARKER came on for his league debut for RICHARD MacMILLAN, with SAM BROADBENT moving to the wing with PHIL DONALDSON returning to his centre berth. The remaining 15 mins were tense with Wirral, for once in the game, enjoying a greater share of territory and possession but could not manufacture a match winning score.
In injury time, Wirral had the ball some 30m from the Carlisle line and were keeping the ball amongst their forwards as they slowly advanced up the field. With the final play of the game, Wirral only needed to kick the ball 4m into touch to win the game. However there was an infringement, Carlisle gained the ball and they continued to play the ball amongst their forwards as they slowly advanced downfield. A cross kick was put in and Wirral failed to gain possession, Carlisle continued to advance into the Wirral 20m area- they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts but with the referee playing advantage they scrambled over for a try by scrum half, Tim Hughes which they also converted to give them a surprising 13-18 win.
This was a disappointing result given the circumstances outlined above but many of Wirral’s games this season have been in doubt until the final whistle. The coach has to now lift the players for the rest of the season notwithstanding the players are putting in 100% effort in all their games. Carlisle were disciplined in those final minutes as a penalty or infringement would have been the end of the game but with a large pack they were in a position to dictate the game
Next week, Wirral have a re-arranged home game against the league leaders Sandbach and I know that the Wirral team will be looking to put in a better performance than that seen at Sandbach where decisions did not go in Wirral’s favour.

Richard McNeil