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Sat 06 Dec 2014 ·  National League Three North
Sale
1st XV
44
6
Penalties: J Annetts (2)Yellow Carded: P Lewis
Sale Easily See Off Wirral Challenge
Andrew Broadbent8 Dec 2014 - 10:08
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A professional performance from the Manchester side see a patched up Wirral easily beaten.
For the away game at Sale, against second in the table, their third consecutive game against the league top 3, Wirral had made changes with KEITH MAHON coming in at No 8 with TOM PARRY moving to the subs bench. However Wirral then had to make late changes to the team as two players, DAN HARVEY and MATT LOON had to withdraw due to illness in their immediate families. They were replaced by BEN BROOKS and MARK GIDMAN respectively, who both stepped up from the second team. We all hope that those members of their families soon make a speedy recovery. The other subs were STEVE PENDERGAST and MIKE WARREN.
From the kick off it was obvious that Sale were to play an attacking game as they brought their backs quickly into the game. They took the lead in the 5th minute with a penalty kick from 40m by fly half Liam McGovern. On 16 min, ROB PEARL left the field to have a gash on the back of the head attended to and returned 6 minutes later, having been temporarily replaced by MIKE WARREN. In this period Sale were continuing to attack but the Wirral defence was holding out, however the pressure eventually told when Aigbokhae crossed unopposed in the corner and this was converted by McGovern. 10-0 (21 mins).
Wirral were still in the game as they controlled play and made progress to the Sale half, they were awarded a penalty kick at goal, which just failed but a minute later, JAMES ANNETTS slotted over a penalty from 30m. 10-3 (25 mins). Sale continued to attack and were close the Wirral line when the away side turned the ball over and managed to clear. However Sale continued to press and were unlucky not to score when the second row forward Davies was deemed to be held up over the line. With play in the Wirral 20m area, the continuous passing and thrusts from Sale took its toll, when left winger, Connolly had an easy 10m run to the try line but the try was not converted. 15-3 (32 mins).
Although Wirral were not making much progress when in possession they were being awarded a number of penalties in their favour and on the stroke of half time, JAMES ANNETTS added a second penalty to leave the half time score 15-6.
The second half commenced with the referee awarding a dubious penalty to Sale for a high tackle, which nobody else saw, which allowed Sale a 5m line out from where Waddy forced his way over to extend their lead to 20-6. (41 mins). The next 20 minutes was Wirral’s best period of the game even though Sale continued to play their fluid game but Wirral did manage a period of play camped in the Sale 20m area but could not put the forwards move together to force their way over the whitewash. When the ball came out wide right with Wirral running at the line they looked for the easy option of putting in the winger but the pass failed when the other option of going for the line might have been more profitable and as such would have put Wirral within one score of the home side.
On 63 mins a good break from the Sale inside centre, Davenport drew the Wirral full back before putting in Moorhouse in for a try, which was converted by McGovern. Virtually from the kick off, Sale again attacked from 70m out which resulted in Connolly scoring in the corner. 32-6 (65 mins). Wirral were not making that first tackle thus allowing the Sale team to gather momentum. Sale were on all-out attack and a couple of minutes later, fly half, McGovern jinked his way over to score under the posts. 39-6 (68mins).
In the second half numerous penalties (at least 18 during the game) were being given against Sale but sin binning did not seem to be an option for the referee but with 5 minutes to go, PAUL LEWIS was sin binned-the irony being that the referee had selected the wrong player for holding onto the ball near the line. A Sale player was then deemed to have been held up over the line and from the resulting scrum against 7, Sale substitute, Stelmaszek crossed over from 2m to score, the try was not converted. The referee blew for time having played 38 minutes in the second half.
Wirral with a young team, where the majority of the team have come through the junior sides put up a plucky performance against this well organized team gathered from various clubs, who put in a professional performance in every sense of the word.
Next week, Wirral play Cleckheaton at home, the first of the second round of games and the last first team game of 2014. Cleckheaton are also bringing a team to play against a Wirral veteran’s side, which should be interesting to say the least.
The Club is holding a mini Beer Festival with local beers and a range of Thwaites products so all make arrangements to leave the car at home that day.
Richard McNeil
From the kick off it was obvious that Sale were to play an attacking game as they brought their backs quickly into the game. They took the lead in the 5th minute with a penalty kick from 40m by fly half Liam McGovern. On 16 min, ROB PEARL left the field to have a gash on the back of the head attended to and returned 6 minutes later, having been temporarily replaced by MIKE WARREN. In this period Sale were continuing to attack but the Wirral defence was holding out, however the pressure eventually told when Aigbokhae crossed unopposed in the corner and this was converted by McGovern. 10-0 (21 mins).
Wirral were still in the game as they controlled play and made progress to the Sale half, they were awarded a penalty kick at goal, which just failed but a minute later, JAMES ANNETTS slotted over a penalty from 30m. 10-3 (25 mins). Sale continued to attack and were close the Wirral line when the away side turned the ball over and managed to clear. However Sale continued to press and were unlucky not to score when the second row forward Davies was deemed to be held up over the line. With play in the Wirral 20m area, the continuous passing and thrusts from Sale took its toll, when left winger, Connolly had an easy 10m run to the try line but the try was not converted. 15-3 (32 mins).
Although Wirral were not making much progress when in possession they were being awarded a number of penalties in their favour and on the stroke of half time, JAMES ANNETTS added a second penalty to leave the half time score 15-6.
The second half commenced with the referee awarding a dubious penalty to Sale for a high tackle, which nobody else saw, which allowed Sale a 5m line out from where Waddy forced his way over to extend their lead to 20-6. (41 mins). The next 20 minutes was Wirral’s best period of the game even though Sale continued to play their fluid game but Wirral did manage a period of play camped in the Sale 20m area but could not put the forwards move together to force their way over the whitewash. When the ball came out wide right with Wirral running at the line they looked for the easy option of putting in the winger but the pass failed when the other option of going for the line might have been more profitable and as such would have put Wirral within one score of the home side.
On 63 mins a good break from the Sale inside centre, Davenport drew the Wirral full back before putting in Moorhouse in for a try, which was converted by McGovern. Virtually from the kick off, Sale again attacked from 70m out which resulted in Connolly scoring in the corner. 32-6 (65 mins). Wirral were not making that first tackle thus allowing the Sale team to gather momentum. Sale were on all-out attack and a couple of minutes later, fly half, McGovern jinked his way over to score under the posts. 39-6 (68mins).
In the second half numerous penalties (at least 18 during the game) were being given against Sale but sin binning did not seem to be an option for the referee but with 5 minutes to go, PAUL LEWIS was sin binned-the irony being that the referee had selected the wrong player for holding onto the ball near the line. A Sale player was then deemed to have been held up over the line and from the resulting scrum against 7, Sale substitute, Stelmaszek crossed over from 2m to score, the try was not converted. The referee blew for time having played 38 minutes in the second half.
Wirral with a young team, where the majority of the team have come through the junior sides put up a plucky performance against this well organized team gathered from various clubs, who put in a professional performance in every sense of the word.
Next week, Wirral play Cleckheaton at home, the first of the second round of games and the last first team game of 2014. Cleckheaton are also bringing a team to play against a Wirral veteran’s side, which should be interesting to say the least.
The Club is holding a mini Beer Festival with local beers and a range of Thwaites products so all make arrangements to leave the car at home that day.
Richard McNeil
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