Champions - A Win at Home Confirms League Title for Wirral

Following last week’s dramatic defeat, Wirral were looking to make amends in their last home league game of the season against Oswestry and secure the two points they required to win the South Lancs. & Cheshire 1 league title. This they achieved with a comprehensive 53-19 win against a spirited Oswestry side in front of a larger than average crowd.

The changes to the side from last week were Dave Doneo in for Colin Dyer in the second row and Ian White in for Ollie Atkinson (school commitments) on the wing. The substitutes being Stu Hughes, Colin Dyer and Ryan Harvey.

Playing with the wind towards the clubhouse, Wirral were quickly into their stride and from the first attack, the play went down the line, where Ali Baker was held up short of the line but wing forward, Robbie Pearl was on hand to take the pass and crash over in the corner, the conversion was missed. Within 3 minutes Oswestry were level, after turning down a penalty opportunity they took a scrum some 5 m out and although Wirral had control of the ball, they lost it allowing the opposition second row to dive over and score, the conversion was missed. 5- 5.

The lead was restored in the 12th minute with a 25m penalty from Sam Broadbent. During the next 5 minutes Wirral missed two clear try scoring opportunities with final passes not going to hand. Whilst Wirral were attacking they were also guilty of giving away silly penalties which meant that they had to work hard to regain their attacking positions. On 22 minutes the lead was extended when an Adam Stevens break saw him tackled 10m from the line, but support play from Jason Green in making the ball available allowed Ali Baker to cross from a few metres out and the conversion was made by Danny Harvey 15-5

In the next 4 minutes, the game went out of Oswestry’s reach with two tries, the first came from a charged down Oswestry clearance, with the ball reaching Ali Baker who scored under the posts, and Ali then came the provider as a scrum 40m out led to inside pass to Ross Page, who released Ali who passed on to Danny, and his arking run saw him scramble over in the corner, with him converting the first of these tries. 27-5. The final action of the half was a long penalty opportunity which was just missed.

Eight minutes into the second half, Oswestry backs were on hand to intercept a pass and score under the posts as Wirral attempted to run from their own 22. 27-12 However the margin was restored in what was possibly the best try of the game after 15 mins of the half where the ball went through many hands in a confined area before allowing Sam Broadbent to cross for a try converted by Danny. 34-12. At this stage Wirral were looking to run the ball from everywhere and whilst the breaks were being made further scores were missed as the final pass did not go to hand. At this stage there was a triple substitution as Hodson, White and Page came off for Dyer, Hughes and Ryan Harvey, who was making this his last match before retirement.

A speculative kick downfield saw the Oswestry centre allow the ball to bounce and Ali Baker swooped to pick up a difficult ball passing to Danny who then sent in Stu Hughes from 20m out, the conversion was missed from an easy position. 39-12.

On 69 minutes a break by Sam was carried on by Adam Stevens who foxed the Oswestry defence to release Ali Baker for his hatrick try; this was converted by Danny Harvey 46-12. Oswestry had not given up and good running and hard work allowed the winger to score a good try from some 45 m out, this was converted 46-19.
Ali had the opportunity to add to his 30 try tally but was stopped a yard from the line but Oswestry were able to clear the danger and were in the Wirral half when the home team put together there final play of the game, with a number of players involved before releasing Robbie Pearl from some 40 m out to score with Danny converting 53-19.

At the final whistle went the crowd acknowledged the Wirral’s performances over the season which sees them promoted to North One West, next season where there will be some interesting matches, including New Brighton.

This was Ryan’s final game for the club before retirement, unless someone can persuade him otherwise and we would all like to thank him for his dynamic performances over the past few seasons he has been with us.

Fred Tush has received a letter from Peter Townend, who now resides in Queensland and he welcomes the improved Website and looks forward to all the news regarding the teams and the match reports.

Wirral have a local derby next Saturday at Hoylake, your support is needed for what is always a tricky fixture.

Richard McNeil