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Sat 08 Dec 2012 ·  North 1 West
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LSH Win Despite Late Wirral Surge
Andrew Broadbent9 Dec 2012 - 13:02
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A 17 point half-time deficit was too much to overcome as Wirral refused to be intimidated by the league leaders.
Following the win at Rochdale last time out, Wirral again ran the charges in the backs with ALI BAKER returning to the left wing and CHRIS SPEED moving into the centre at the expense of OLLIE ATKINSON. The subs were RYAN HIGGINSON, MICHAEL WARREN and DAVE DONEO.
LSH had the benefit of the wind in the first half and in the early part of the game saw LSH in the Wirral half but the Wirral defence was able to contain the LSH forward play. In the 18th minute came the first score when from a scrum near the Wirral line, the ball was passed down the blindside and the LSH captain, Lourens had the formality of catching and touching down in the corner and the try was converted by Greg Smith from the touchline. 0-7
At the other end, CRAIG HARVEY had the opportunity to reduce the arrears with a penalty from 30m out and wide but the wind caught the ball and it just drifted wide of the right hand post. A long relieving kick from LSH was collected by JAMES ANNETTS, who made a break and then kicked ahead, pressure from Wirral won them the ball and were unlucky to be tackled into touch, one metre from the LSH line. They continued to maintain pressure but eventually LSH cleared.
At this stage, JASON GREEN came off with an injured hand and was replaced by RYAN HIGGINSON with CHRIS HUGHES going to hooker. DAVE DONEO also came on for TIM HODSON.
With half time approaching, Wirral felt a 0-7 deficit could be turned round in the second half with the benefit of the wind. However, LSH were awarded a penalty almost in front of the posts, which Greg Smith converted. From the first scrum afterwards, Greg Smith made a break down the middle of the field before drawing the fullback and put in substitute, Peet to score under the posts, Smith again converting to give LSH a 0-17 lead at half time.
With JASON GREEN’s injury and without a specialist line out thrower, Wirral were getting less of their ball from the line out and thus LSH were monopolizing this phase of play. Half time saw MIKE WARREN and TIM HODSON on for MIKE LUDBROOK and COLIN DYER respectively.
It was LSH who extended their lead with another penalty from Greg Smith to lead 0-20. On 57 mins a break by ALI BAKER split the LSH defence and only a despairing tap tackle 15m from the line prevented a possible score. At this stage LSH were resorting to short lunges by their forwards and kicking up field to relieve pressure. Another break by JAMES ANNETTS following his collection of another LSH kick saw him break into the LSH 20 metre area only to be halted by a last ditch tackle. COLIN DYER came back on for TIM HODSON.
On the hour, Wirral were camped on the LSH line and with a penalty to come, CRAIG HARVEY put in a cross kick, which was caught by brother DANNY, who was tackled 2 metres short but had the presence to pass the ball which was well collected by prop, RYAN HIGGINSON for him to crash over in the corner for his first try for the senior team. The conversion just passed over the top of the post. 5-20 64 minutes.
At this stage of the game, matters were becoming heated but the situation boiled over in the 70th minute, when a quickly taken penalty by Wirral saw a move down the blind side, a pass went to winger DANNY HARVEY who ran in unopposed from 20m. However a Wirral player had been again taken out illegally by an LSH player (not seen by the referee) and a number of players exchanged views. After the referee regained control, the try was awarded and duly converted by CRAIG HARVEY 12-20 (70 mins).
Wirral strove for another score to maintain their record of having scored league points in every match but the opportunity of a penalty/drop kick attempt did not arise. LSH eased their worries with a further Greg Smith penalty to leave the final score 12-23. It was a relieved LSH who welcomed the final whistle.
The Wirral team played with much spirit against the league leaders and probably were worthy of getting something out of this game.
Next week the first team is away at Leigh, having already gained a win over them at home. However Leigh gained the surprising result of the weekend with a 7-3 win away at Sale, thus this promises to be an intriguing game.
Richard McNeil
LSH had the benefit of the wind in the first half and in the early part of the game saw LSH in the Wirral half but the Wirral defence was able to contain the LSH forward play. In the 18th minute came the first score when from a scrum near the Wirral line, the ball was passed down the blindside and the LSH captain, Lourens had the formality of catching and touching down in the corner and the try was converted by Greg Smith from the touchline. 0-7
At the other end, CRAIG HARVEY had the opportunity to reduce the arrears with a penalty from 30m out and wide but the wind caught the ball and it just drifted wide of the right hand post. A long relieving kick from LSH was collected by JAMES ANNETTS, who made a break and then kicked ahead, pressure from Wirral won them the ball and were unlucky to be tackled into touch, one metre from the LSH line. They continued to maintain pressure but eventually LSH cleared.
At this stage, JASON GREEN came off with an injured hand and was replaced by RYAN HIGGINSON with CHRIS HUGHES going to hooker. DAVE DONEO also came on for TIM HODSON.
With half time approaching, Wirral felt a 0-7 deficit could be turned round in the second half with the benefit of the wind. However, LSH were awarded a penalty almost in front of the posts, which Greg Smith converted. From the first scrum afterwards, Greg Smith made a break down the middle of the field before drawing the fullback and put in substitute, Peet to score under the posts, Smith again converting to give LSH a 0-17 lead at half time.
With JASON GREEN’s injury and without a specialist line out thrower, Wirral were getting less of their ball from the line out and thus LSH were monopolizing this phase of play. Half time saw MIKE WARREN and TIM HODSON on for MIKE LUDBROOK and COLIN DYER respectively.
It was LSH who extended their lead with another penalty from Greg Smith to lead 0-20. On 57 mins a break by ALI BAKER split the LSH defence and only a despairing tap tackle 15m from the line prevented a possible score. At this stage LSH were resorting to short lunges by their forwards and kicking up field to relieve pressure. Another break by JAMES ANNETTS following his collection of another LSH kick saw him break into the LSH 20 metre area only to be halted by a last ditch tackle. COLIN DYER came back on for TIM HODSON.
On the hour, Wirral were camped on the LSH line and with a penalty to come, CRAIG HARVEY put in a cross kick, which was caught by brother DANNY, who was tackled 2 metres short but had the presence to pass the ball which was well collected by prop, RYAN HIGGINSON for him to crash over in the corner for his first try for the senior team. The conversion just passed over the top of the post. 5-20 64 minutes.
At this stage of the game, matters were becoming heated but the situation boiled over in the 70th minute, when a quickly taken penalty by Wirral saw a move down the blind side, a pass went to winger DANNY HARVEY who ran in unopposed from 20m. However a Wirral player had been again taken out illegally by an LSH player (not seen by the referee) and a number of players exchanged views. After the referee regained control, the try was awarded and duly converted by CRAIG HARVEY 12-20 (70 mins).
Wirral strove for another score to maintain their record of having scored league points in every match but the opportunity of a penalty/drop kick attempt did not arise. LSH eased their worries with a further Greg Smith penalty to leave the final score 12-23. It was a relieved LSH who welcomed the final whistle.
The Wirral team played with much spirit against the league leaders and probably were worthy of getting something out of this game.
Next week the first team is away at Leigh, having already gained a win over them at home. However Leigh gained the surprising result of the weekend with a 7-3 win away at Sale, thus this promises to be an intriguing game.
Richard McNeil
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