Despite a number of changes to the backs, Wirral achieved a bonus point victory although on reflection a number of opportunities to add to the score were missed.
Following the game against Lymm, stand in captain, TOM PARRY could not play due to an ankle injury, which may take some time to sort out, thus the forwards were as per last week. The main changes were in the backs with CHRIS CROWLEY reverting to scrum half with TOM AKEHURST on the subs bench. TOM COLE went to full back with the wingers being KILLENE THORNTON and BEN BROOKS. There was a new centre partnership with SAM BROADBENT and MARK WILLIAMS. The other subs joining Tom were MATT RINGER and young debutant HARRY CROPPER-JOYCE.
It was a warm spring like day with the sun shining on the fells as Wirral kicked off with the sun in their eyes. The first period of the game was played in the KL half and signs were good as from the first line out and catch Wirral advanced some 15 m. On 10mins, the KL hooker,
Johnny Silverwood was shown a yellow card for interference from an off side position. Wirral scored their first try after16m when a good bout of passing enabled DAN HARVEY to run through and score 15m from the posts, the conversion was missed-0-5 (16 mins). With play concentrated in the KL half and the home team not able to break out despite having a good percentage of possession, Wirral could not take advantage as number of passed were dropped or wrong decisions made. The second try came after 26 mins, when a long touch find from BEN BROOKS, resulted in a 5M line out, pressure from Wirral prevented KL clearing, they gained the ball and a pass to the blind side saw BEN BROOKS score and converted by DAN HARVEY, 0-12. A couple of minutes later after good bout of passing BEN was denied another try when bundled into touch a couple of metres from the whitewash. On 36 mins a weaving run from TOM COLE saw him side step past a number of KL players before being tackled, Wirral retained the ball and a minute later TOM was on hand to receive the ball and run in and score, the try was
not converted 0-17. In the period up to half time, KL were able to apply some pressure as we failed to clear the ball and looking to run out of trouble from our own 20m area but the defence held firm. In the last play before half time, the backs tried a couple of moves as they managed to get KILLENE THORNTON away on the left wing only for him to unfortunately put a foot in touch having beaten his opposite number.
For the first 20mins of the second half, play was stalled in mid field as both teams made a number of mistakes in possession, although we saw JACK YARKER make two interceptions but blanched at the thought of running 60/70m to score and looked frantically for support. On 60mins, MATT RINGER came on for JACK YARKER. Good play by the backs saw DAN HARVEY and CHRIS CROWLEY in a move which released MARK WILLIAMS to score close to the posts, BEN BROOKS converted, 0-24 (62 mins). Another try disallowed for KILLENE as the referee indicated a forward pass. 65mins, TOM AKEHURST came on for TOM COLE with CHRIS CROWLEY reverting to full back. A break by KL was thwarted with a try saving tackle from CHRIS CROWLEY. On 68 mins, HARRY CROPPER JOYCE made his debut as he came on for ROB PEARL. On 73 mins a KL attack was halted close to the Wirral line but foul play by MATT RINGER saw him sin binned. From this position, Stu Storey crossed for KL under the posts and converted by Ben Charlesworth. Almost immediately, a long kick to touch enabled Wirral to win the ball and maul their way over the line for HAYDEN LONG to score and well converted by BEN BROOKS- 7-31. In the dying minute of the game KL scored a second try when Harry Huddleston took advantage of some disorganisation in the Wirral team to run through and score under the posts, 14-31.
Wirral move up a place to 8 th and next week play ROSSENDALE at home who lie 10th having beaten York 16-15 on Saturday.