Last Minute Penalty Denies Wirral the Win

Following the first two games, Wirral made a number of changes for the game against Huddersfield YMCA (HYM). DANNY HARVEY was moved to centre with MATT LOON coming in on the right wing. JULIAN HAIGH was unavailable so MIKE WARREN stepped up for his first game of the season at scrum half. COLIN DYER resumed with his second row partnership with RYAN STEAD, PAUL LEWIS came in at blindside. There was a revamped bench with JAMES REEVE, DAVE DONEO and JACK YARKER all making their first appearances of the season in the first team.
For the first few minutes it was HYM who had the territorial advantage before Wirral managed to get into the opposition half following a strong MATT LOON run. After 11 minutes, JAMES REEVE came onto make his debut for the first team in place of an injury to ROSS PAGE.
Wirral had worked themselves back into the game and created chances but the final pass did not go to hand in fact both teams were guilty of dropping the ball. Two penalties against Wirral allowed HYM into an attacking position and a kick over the Wirral defence almost brought a try but JAMES ANNETTS got back to save the day. The same player then embarked on a 50m run and looked to fling out a long pass to the wing but unfortunately it could not be collected if caught it would have been the first score. This was followed by another break by the backs with the final pass not going to hand again. JACK YARKER and DAVE DONEO came on for MATT BROWN and PAUL LEWIS respectively.
On 35 minutes Wirral took the lead with a penalty from CRAIG HARVEY when HYM were caught offside some 23m out but in the final minute before half time HYM equalized with a penalty from Stead. 3-3 at half time.
Wirral started the second half with greater intensity and early in the second half the influential Wirral No 8 KEITH MAHON came off with a head injury which required attention, ROSS PAGE replaced and PAUL LEWIS went on for RYAN STEAD. The home team was exerting pressure on HYM and the ball was dropped by the away team as they looked to clear, the ball was picked up by Wirral and spun left quickly, ALI BAKER collected and beat 3 defenders before crossing wide out. The conversion was missed. 8-3 (53 minutes). Two minutes later, Wirral were awarded a penalty 35m out and wide which CRAIG HARVEY converted to increase the lead to 11-3.
Without having time to consolidate the lead, the deficit was cut with a penalty by Stead. 11-6 (57 mins). Matt BROWN and RYAN STEAD came on for CHRIS HUGHES and COLIN DYER respectively. HYM gained ground through a series of penalties and were putting pressure on Wirral and gradually worked their way to within 10m of the line. After a series of scrums, HYM were advancing and scored, although the referee had already awarded a penalty try which Stead then converted to give HYM an 11-13 lead (67 mins). Wirral concern was growing as a good run by Stead again put the away team deep into home territory.
With time running out came the move of the match as HYM dropped the ball in attack and this was picked up by Wirral some 65m out and the ball was moved right through CRAIG HARVEY on to MATT LOON who drew the defence to put JAMES ANNETTS away evading the last would be tackler to race in from 35 m to score, the try was not converted. 13-16 (77 mins). KEITH MAHON came on for DAVE DONEO.
From the kick off, Wirral looked to control the ball for the final minutes as they worked the way from their own line only to succumb to a penalty some 35m out and wide. The reliable Stead duly converted to tie the scores at 16 apiece. The referee blew the whistle for the end of the game.
This was a game that given the chances created Wirral should have won. The changes made in the forwards were encouraging as Wirral took the game to HYM and made progress. The result leaves Wirral second from bottom with only HYM below them on point’s difference.
Richard McNeil

YMCA match report courtesy of Huddersfield Daily Examiner.

NB: League positions on the Pitchero website are in error (Westoe should be above Wirral because they have 1 win) - I've asked for this to be rectified (Andy Broadbent - Webmaster)