Wirral Triumph in Physical Encounter with Widnes

On a hot sunny mid September Saturday afternoon Wirral welcomed Widnes to Clatterbridge for what was bound to be a pacy, feisty physical game if encounters over the past few seasons were anything to go by. Both teams had started their league season with comfortable wins and the numerous supporters from both sides were looking forward to an exciting game.

Wirral had 2 changes to their squad from last week, Chris Cox on the wing in place of Stu Hughes who was unavailable and Dave Doneo jnr in the subs for Colin Dyer who was in the 2nds.

One thing about Widnes they certainly breed them big & physical in that part of Lancashire & the smallest players in their team were in the backrow!

The first score of the game came after just 2 minutes when Widnes converted a penalty awarded following a misdemeanour and some great defence by Wirral (0-3). Wirral then missed a long range penalty against the wind after 4 minutes and then a brief session of handbags & kisses brokeout on halfway after 9 minutes & this showed Wirral were certainly not going to be intimidated by their larger opponents.

Wirral’s first score was a brilliant try by Chris Cox from 35 metres when Wirral spread the ball quickly following a scrum on the left & Chris beat his man & 2 others to score wide out on the right. (5-3).

Widnes went back in the lead after 15 minutes when the Wirral forwards were penalised and the Widnes kicker converted from in front of the posts (5-6).

Wirral went straight back up the field and after 17 minutes went back in the lead when Sam Broadbent converted a penalty (8-6). The next 10 minutes saw what this game was going to be remembered for and that was excellent aggressive defence by Wirral as the Widnes team tried everything to break through and even though they were awarded 3 penalties in that time they chose to try and bludgeon their way over the line rather than kick the points. Wirral were now putting the Widnes defence under considerable pressure by their quick passing and excellent support play.

This period of pressure by Wirral was rewarded 3 minutes from the end of the half when the forwards took a scrum against the head on the left and the ball was quickly passed through the backs for Adam Stephens to score under the posts, Sam Broadbent converted (15-6).

The 2nd half started the same way as the 1st with the powerful Widnes Forwards & Backs putting pressure on Wirral & being rewarded after just 4 minutes with a penalty which was converted (15-9). However not for the first time in the game Wirral came right back at Widnes & Sam Broadbent converted a penalty given for holding on (18-9).
Neither side were giving an inch but if anything Wirral were gaining the upperhand due to the strength of the tackling and the excellent backup of the tackler by others. In fact the next score epitomised Wirral more alert play when Martin Bennett started a move by gathering a loose ball at the back of the lineout, slipping a pass to Dave Doneo jnr who then drew the defence for the backs to break quickly down the right and who should receive the try scoring pass but Martin Bennett, Sam Broadbent converted (25-9).

The tackles were really flying in now as the Widnes power machine tried to impose itself but much to the Wirral spectators surprise it was a Wirral player (Tom Clegg) who was shown a Yellow Card after 22 minutes for taking out a player after the ball had gone. Widnes were unable to capitalise on their one man advantage and after 34 minutes of this half Wirral went further ahead when not for the 1st time Widnes were penalised for killing the ball and this time a Widnes player was shown a Yellow Card , Sam Broadbent converted (28-9).

The last score of the game came right at the end with another penalty to Wirral being converted by Sam Broadbent (31-9)

In summary this was a very physical game with the Wirral team and especially the backrow defence being excellent. In fact the physical nature of the game resulted in 3 or 4 of substitutes for blood injuries for Wirral and it was almost like watching Rugby League with rolling substitutes. The comments coming from both sets of supporters were interesting to say the least & I hope a large number of Wirral supporters will be at Widnes in December .

Next week it is Sale away & they are obviously playing entertaining rugby having scored 50 points in the first game & 38 points in their second. So just 40 minutes down the motorway, sit under cover and be entertained.

Team: Chris Hughes, Jason Green, Steve Pendergast, Martin Bennett, Tom Clegg, Ross Page, Rob Pearl, Ben Marsh, Ali Childs, Sam Broadbent, Chris Cox, Ian White, Adam Stevens, Matt Slater, Danny Harvey : Subs – Dave Doneo jnr, Matt Brown, Olly Atkinson

Leigh Bennett