Wirral Succumb to Workmanlike Cleckheaton

For the first away match in the National League, Wirral travelled to play Cleckheaton in what was our first ever encounter with this team.
Wirral had to make a couple of changes to the squad which drew at home to Rossendale last week. ROB PEARL was not able to play due to a suspected hand injury incurred last week, which is still being assessed. Into the back row came COLIN DYER at blindside and ROSS PAGE to open side. RYAN STEAD came into the second row to join TIM HODSON and MATT LOON was brought onto the bench.
Within the first minute Wirral were on the attack and charged down a clearance kick within the Cleckheaton 20m area which eventually ended with a penalty to Wirral and from 20m out CRAIG HARVEY kicked the away team into a 3-0 lead. From the kick off it was apparent that Cleckheaton were going to use their forwards to gain ground as well as kicking well for territory. On 7 minutes, Cleckheaton equalized with a Ross Hayden penalty.
The next 10 minutes saw Wirral create a number of chances but could not get that final scoring pass away plus there was some keen tackling from the home defence. On 20 minutes, Cleckheaton were awarded a penalty and surprisingly their leading point’s scorer, Ross Hayden from 30m missed. From the resultant 20m drop out, Wirral erred which allowed Cleckheaton the put in at the scrum and after a couple of thrusts, Rob Afoa Petersen forced his way over from 15m and this was converted by Hayden to leave Cleckheaton in the lead 10-3 (24mins). Within 3 minutes, Hayden raced in for a try from 20m after quick passing through the backs put him on the clear, the conversion was missed. 15-3 (28mins).
At this stage it was apparent that Wirral were being starved of possession and Wirral’s blushes were spared when a Cleckheaton pass 2 metres from the line was adjudged forward. From the scrum, the ball was cleared some 40m downfield and a pass to Matt Piper saw the centre drop a goal from 35m. 18-3 (36 mins). PAUL LEWIS came in for TIM HODSON. A further attack from Wirral was rewarded with a penalty, which CRAIG HARVEY converted from over 30m out to leave the score at half time 18-6.
At the start of the second half, Wirral played with greater intensity and a backs move came to nought following a dangerous tackle from Martin Woodhead, which resulted in a sin bin. A good break by JAMES ANNETTS with a short kick over the defence and catch was then tackled by the full back but managed to get the ball out to JASON GREEN who made progress before being tackled but with the Cleckheaton defence being disjointed allowed the ball to flow down the backs to ALI BAKER who crossed over wide out. The try was well converted by CRAIG HARVEY. 18-13 (48 mins). CHRIS BURROWS came on for ROSS PAGE. Moments later there was a rare penalty miss from CRAIG HARVEY.
Play from both sides was becoming more open. From a scrum some 40m out, the ball was picked up by KEITH MAHON who offloaded to PAUL LEWIS who made a few yards before getting the ball away to JULIAN HAIGH, who outran the defence from 30m to score wide out. This try was converted by CRAIG HARVEY to give Wirral a 20-18 lead (50 minutes).
The lead was only held for 7 minutes as play was back in the Wirral 20m area and from a maul some 10m out, the ball was passed out on the blind side which caught Wirral off guard and James Wilson touched down in the corner, the try was not converted but it was enough to give Cleckheaton the lead again, 23-20 (57 minutes). ROSS PAGE came back on for KEITH MAHON. Within 3 minutes Cleckheaton were fortunate to extend their lead, when a kick through bounced in their favour away from the covering Wirral player allowing Ross Hayden to collect and run over unopposed. Jarrad Toulson converted to give Cleckheaton a 30-20 lead (60 minutes).
Still Wirral came back and another kick over the defence was collected by CRAIG HARVEY and passed onto DANNY HARVEY and after a series of thrusts the attack petered out with a knock on. MATT LOON came on for CHRIS SPEED with DANNY HARVEY moving to centre.
The final score of the game came with Cleckheaton pressing, the ball came loose, Wirral went for the ball only for the ball to bounce in favour of Cleckheaton and Ross Hayden went into score his hat trick try and the conversion from Toulson left the final score at 37-20 in favour of the home side. The game ended with Wirral making promising attacks but could not make that vital break.
Although Cleckheaton won the game deservedly on the day, the difference being that they capitalized on their few chances and the mistakes made by Wirral as is the case in most games. Wirral for their part created more chances and whilst in previous seasons these have resulted in tries, the final phases and passes did not quite come together. By taking some of these chances and cutting out basic errors as we also saw in the game last week against Rossendale then this will lead to Wirral winning.
Richard McNeil

Pictures and report of the game courtesy of the Spenborough Guardian here.