Wirral head up the M62 to visit rivals Sandal this Saturday. Wirral are full of confidence after a good home win against Alnwick last week which seen Wirral pick up a valuable 5 points. Sandal were away against bottom side Ilkley in their last game which seen them pick up a good 25-3 victory so they too will be full of confidence heading into this game. Fixtures between Wirral and Sandal have always been competitive and very close, with Wirral winning 3 and losing 2 of their last 5 fixtures. Last season seen Wirral win home and away against Sandal so the home side will be looking for some retribution come this Saturday. Only 2 seasons ago Wirral threw away a 0-26 lead at half time to end up losing 33-26, so there is evidence that the game on Saturday will be tough and Wirral will need to be focused for the full 80 minutes. Sandals form this season has been very positive and quite the opposite of Wirrals. Sandal have only lost four of their fixtures and that was against the top 4 teams in the league, in contrast Wirral have only won 3 fixtures all season. This game could define Wirrals season a win would help set them up for a strong push in the second half of the season. Wirrals injury list keeps growing and after coming off with a shoulder injury last week Wirral will be without captain Craig Harvey, meaning Dai Morley will be promoted to ten after strong performances for the twos. Lee Brogan replaces Joe Murray who is unavailable, Ben Brooks replaces Joe Probert on the wing and Mike Warren comes onto the bench.
1XV vs Sandal:
1. Jack Yarker
2. Stu Gratton
3. Ryan Higginson
4. Hayden Long
5. Fred Clarke
6. Matty Ringer
7. James Reeve
8. Rob Pearl
9. Lee Brogan
10. Dai Morley
11. Dave King
12. Sam Broadbent
13. Mark Williams
14. Ben Brooks
15. Chris Crowley
16. Chris Hughes
17. Tom Parry
18. Mike Warren
Bus leaves at 10:15 for anyone who wants to travel with the squad.