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Sat 06 Sep 2014 · National League Three North
1st XVRossendale
Tries: C Harvey, K Mahon, J AnnettsConversions: C Harvey (2)Penalties: C Harvey (2)Yellow Carded: R Page
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Wirral Revival Earns Creditable Draw
Andrew Broadbent7 Sep 2014 - 12:43
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A home draw is the result of Wirral's introduction to the national leagues.
Wirral started the season with a full squad based on last season’s players with 15 of the players having come through the junior section of the Club. The opposition had a number of players with Championship and professional experience and had acquitted themselves well in last season’s National League 3 North.
In front of a larger than average crowd it was Wirral who kicked off into the wind and put early pressure on the Rossendale team, with play a few metres from their line and after control of the ball through the forwards, two quick passes saw captain, CRAIG HARVEY dive over in the corner, the conversion was missed, 5-0 (4 minutes). Rossendale came back into the game with a penalty by James Bramhall from 30m and after a series of penalties awarded against Wirral the opposition were now close to the Wirral line and a rehearsed move led to their No8 debutant Ryan McKibbin (no relation to Leighton) crossing wide out to give Rossendale a 5-8 lead after 18 minutes. TIM HODSON had to leave the field with a head wound and was replaced by RYAN STEAD. On 21 minutes, ROSS PAGE was yellow carded for a technical offence and from the resultant penalty, McKibbin was able to force his way over for his second try , again the conversion was missed. 5-13 (24 minutes).
Both sides were looking to play an expansive game but Wirral’s passing was letting them down at critical moments as they looked to prise open the solid Rossendale defence. The half ended with Rossendale again in control.
The second half commenced with Rossendale playing with greater intensity as they looked to wrap up this game. Two missed tackles allowed Rossendale possession deep in the Wirral 22 m area and from a scrum 10m out, second row Sam Greenwood crossed and this was duly converted by James Bramhall to extend the Rossendale lead to 5-20 after 44 minutes. PAUL LEWIS came on for ROSS PAGE.
Gradually Wirral came into the game by playing to their strengths and with passing and control improving were able to advance downfield. A period of good inter passing saw them advance into the Rossendale 22m, a break from ROB PEARL was halted 5m from the line but he managed to get his pass away, and KEITH MAHON (back in the side after a long layoff through injury) crossed over 10m from the posts. The try was converted by CRAIG HARVEY. 12-20.
The momentum was now with Wirral as they again attacked, Alex Isherwood from Rossendale was sin binned for deliberately delaying play and Craig converted the penalty opportunity from 30 m out. 15-20. The crowd now believed that Wirral could go on and win this. However, Rossendale drove the ball downfield with penetrative runs from their forwards to set up play in the Wirral 22 m and through team work were able to extend their lead with a hat trick try by Ryan McKibbin in the corner, the try was not converted. 15-25 (55 mins).
With limited possession Wirral were still in this game and a dropped ball in mid field by Rossendale led to the try of the day, with DANNY HARVEY picking up the ball some 65m out and cutting through the Rossendale defence, to the 22m line where JAMES ANNETTS came in from the wing to collect the pass and split the covering defence, a side step to leave the full back for dead to score near the posts, again converted by CRAIG HARVEY 22-25 (60 mins).
Wirral were exerting pressure on Rossendale and although the penalty count was in favour of Rossendale, Wirral were awarded with an opportunity from some 35m out which Craig Harvey duly slotted over to tie the scores at 25 -25 apiece. The stage was set for a grandstand finish with the pressure on Rossendale who were pinned down 30m out and Rossendale having difficulty in clearing. Both sides were giving away penalties but key decisions did not go Wirral’s way when even a neutral observer could see blatant transgressions by the Rossendale side which denied Wirral a match winning opportunity.
After 47 minutes of the second half with Rossendale on a rare attack the game finished, with a draw perhaps being a fair result. Wirral can gain much from this game, the higher intensity this division brings, the need to control the ball and speed of getting bodies to support tackled colleagues and these aspects will no doubt be looked at by the coaching staff in the build up to next week’s game away at Cleckheaton. A coach will be leaving on Saturday morning for anyone who would wish to come and support the team, see the noticeboard for details during the week.
Richard McNeil.
In front of a larger than average crowd it was Wirral who kicked off into the wind and put early pressure on the Rossendale team, with play a few metres from their line and after control of the ball through the forwards, two quick passes saw captain, CRAIG HARVEY dive over in the corner, the conversion was missed, 5-0 (4 minutes). Rossendale came back into the game with a penalty by James Bramhall from 30m and after a series of penalties awarded against Wirral the opposition were now close to the Wirral line and a rehearsed move led to their No8 debutant Ryan McKibbin (no relation to Leighton) crossing wide out to give Rossendale a 5-8 lead after 18 minutes. TIM HODSON had to leave the field with a head wound and was replaced by RYAN STEAD. On 21 minutes, ROSS PAGE was yellow carded for a technical offence and from the resultant penalty, McKibbin was able to force his way over for his second try , again the conversion was missed. 5-13 (24 minutes).
Both sides were looking to play an expansive game but Wirral’s passing was letting them down at critical moments as they looked to prise open the solid Rossendale defence. The half ended with Rossendale again in control.
The second half commenced with Rossendale playing with greater intensity as they looked to wrap up this game. Two missed tackles allowed Rossendale possession deep in the Wirral 22 m area and from a scrum 10m out, second row Sam Greenwood crossed and this was duly converted by James Bramhall to extend the Rossendale lead to 5-20 after 44 minutes. PAUL LEWIS came on for ROSS PAGE.
Gradually Wirral came into the game by playing to their strengths and with passing and control improving were able to advance downfield. A period of good inter passing saw them advance into the Rossendale 22m, a break from ROB PEARL was halted 5m from the line but he managed to get his pass away, and KEITH MAHON (back in the side after a long layoff through injury) crossed over 10m from the posts. The try was converted by CRAIG HARVEY. 12-20.
The momentum was now with Wirral as they again attacked, Alex Isherwood from Rossendale was sin binned for deliberately delaying play and Craig converted the penalty opportunity from 30 m out. 15-20. The crowd now believed that Wirral could go on and win this. However, Rossendale drove the ball downfield with penetrative runs from their forwards to set up play in the Wirral 22 m and through team work were able to extend their lead with a hat trick try by Ryan McKibbin in the corner, the try was not converted. 15-25 (55 mins).
With limited possession Wirral were still in this game and a dropped ball in mid field by Rossendale led to the try of the day, with DANNY HARVEY picking up the ball some 65m out and cutting through the Rossendale defence, to the 22m line where JAMES ANNETTS came in from the wing to collect the pass and split the covering defence, a side step to leave the full back for dead to score near the posts, again converted by CRAIG HARVEY 22-25 (60 mins).
Wirral were exerting pressure on Rossendale and although the penalty count was in favour of Rossendale, Wirral were awarded with an opportunity from some 35m out which Craig Harvey duly slotted over to tie the scores at 25 -25 apiece. The stage was set for a grandstand finish with the pressure on Rossendale who were pinned down 30m out and Rossendale having difficulty in clearing. Both sides were giving away penalties but key decisions did not go Wirral’s way when even a neutral observer could see blatant transgressions by the Rossendale side which denied Wirral a match winning opportunity.
After 47 minutes of the second half with Rossendale on a rare attack the game finished, with a draw perhaps being a fair result. Wirral can gain much from this game, the higher intensity this division brings, the need to control the ball and speed of getting bodies to support tackled colleagues and these aspects will no doubt be looked at by the coaching staff in the build up to next week’s game away at Cleckheaton. A coach will be leaving on Saturday morning for anyone who would wish to come and support the team, see the noticeboard for details during the week.
Richard McNeil.
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