Back
Sat 10 Jan 2015 · National League Three North
1st XVMorley
Tries: R Pearl, A SheldonPenalties: J Annetts (2)Yellow Carded: R Pearl
16
8
Annetts Denies Morley Losing Bonus Point
Andrew Broadbent12 Jan 2015 - 08:02
Share via
Another tight match against Morley results in Wirral's first double of the season.
The match against Morley was important for both teams as they both languished in the bottom four of the league with Wirral one point ahead. It will be recalled that the reverse match at Morley ended with Wirral’s first win in this league in the last move of the game- 34-33.
Wirral selected the same team as last week and the only change on the substitute’s bench was KEITH MAHON coming in for MATT LOON. With Wirral electing to play against the wind in the first half, the game started with KEITH MAHON and TIM HODSON in place of CHRIS BURROWS and TOM PARRY to give the home team more forward power.
For the first 7 minutes Wirral were contained within their half but gradually made progress downfield aided by a penalty. The home team were now camped within 10m of the Morley line but despite repeated thrusts could not find a way through the Morley defence although they were deemed to have been held up over the line. From the resultant scrum the Wirral pack advanced as one and ROB PEARL was able to touch down for the first points of the game, the conversion was missed. 5-0 (16 minutes).
Morley declined a penalty opportunity but were presented with an easier chance 3 minutes later from a position virtually in front of the posts which Luke Stevenson converted. 5-3 (24 minutes). At this stage, MIKE WARREN came on for PAUL LEWIS. Wirral contained Morley in the period up to half time with Morley having the territorial advantage. With a half time score at 5-3, Wirral were pleased to have reached this stage of the game with a slender lead given the wind conditions.
At half time, CHRIS BURROWS came on for KEITH MAHON. From the start of this half, Wirral were immediately on the attack with sustained pressure in the Morley 20m area. An inside pass from CRAIG HARVEY to ALI BAKER almost brought the first clean break of the match but the Morley back line were alert to snaffle out that attack. Wirral were persistent and good handling through the backs left winger ADAM SHELDON diving over in the corner. A conversion from JAMES ANNETTS just failed from the touchline. 10-3 (45 minutes). Ten minutes later after continuing pressure Wirral were presented with an easy penalty in front of the posts, which JAMES ANNETTS took to extend the Wirral lead to more than one score, 13-3.
With both sides cancelling each other out in midfield, there was little rugby being played. On 65 mins, PAUL LEWIS came on for RYAN STEAD and TOM PARRY for MIKE WARREN. With time running out, Morley realising the game was slipping away from them mounted a concerted effort and made progress into the Wirral half. On 75 mins ROB PEARL was sin binned for not using his arms to tackle a Morley player. With the advantage, Morley were now playing in the Wirral 20m and we had the spectacle of SAM BROADBENT packing down at No 8. With a man advantage Morley forced their way over the Wirral line through No 8, WILL SMYTH. With time running out the conversion attempt was rushed and failed. 13-8 77 minutes.
At this stage, Morley were in possession of a losing bonus point but they strove for a try to equalise or possibly win the match. They had advanced downfield but a relieving kick from Wirral brought play down to the Morley half. By this time injury time was being played, Wirral were awarded a penalty some 35 m out but the chance was missed. Morley continued to attack from their half but they were contained and still the referee played on. In the 87th minute Wirral were awarded another penalty some 46 m out but directly in front of the posts, JAMES ANNETTS converted to give Wirral a 16-8 lead. As the ball sailed over the referee called time and thus Morley failed to collect a bonus point in what had been a hard fought tussle with no quarter given.
This result increases Wirral’s advantage over Morley to 5 points and although they are still fourth from the bottom they have made some ground on the teams directly above them. Next week we have a “derby” match against our Cheshire neighbours Lymm and Wirral will be assured of a good following for this match.
Richard McNeil
Wirral selected the same team as last week and the only change on the substitute’s bench was KEITH MAHON coming in for MATT LOON. With Wirral electing to play against the wind in the first half, the game started with KEITH MAHON and TIM HODSON in place of CHRIS BURROWS and TOM PARRY to give the home team more forward power.
For the first 7 minutes Wirral were contained within their half but gradually made progress downfield aided by a penalty. The home team were now camped within 10m of the Morley line but despite repeated thrusts could not find a way through the Morley defence although they were deemed to have been held up over the line. From the resultant scrum the Wirral pack advanced as one and ROB PEARL was able to touch down for the first points of the game, the conversion was missed. 5-0 (16 minutes).
Morley declined a penalty opportunity but were presented with an easier chance 3 minutes later from a position virtually in front of the posts which Luke Stevenson converted. 5-3 (24 minutes). At this stage, MIKE WARREN came on for PAUL LEWIS. Wirral contained Morley in the period up to half time with Morley having the territorial advantage. With a half time score at 5-3, Wirral were pleased to have reached this stage of the game with a slender lead given the wind conditions.
At half time, CHRIS BURROWS came on for KEITH MAHON. From the start of this half, Wirral were immediately on the attack with sustained pressure in the Morley 20m area. An inside pass from CRAIG HARVEY to ALI BAKER almost brought the first clean break of the match but the Morley back line were alert to snaffle out that attack. Wirral were persistent and good handling through the backs left winger ADAM SHELDON diving over in the corner. A conversion from JAMES ANNETTS just failed from the touchline. 10-3 (45 minutes). Ten minutes later after continuing pressure Wirral were presented with an easy penalty in front of the posts, which JAMES ANNETTS took to extend the Wirral lead to more than one score, 13-3.
With both sides cancelling each other out in midfield, there was little rugby being played. On 65 mins, PAUL LEWIS came on for RYAN STEAD and TOM PARRY for MIKE WARREN. With time running out, Morley realising the game was slipping away from them mounted a concerted effort and made progress into the Wirral half. On 75 mins ROB PEARL was sin binned for not using his arms to tackle a Morley player. With the advantage, Morley were now playing in the Wirral 20m and we had the spectacle of SAM BROADBENT packing down at No 8. With a man advantage Morley forced their way over the Wirral line through No 8, WILL SMYTH. With time running out the conversion attempt was rushed and failed. 13-8 77 minutes.
At this stage, Morley were in possession of a losing bonus point but they strove for a try to equalise or possibly win the match. They had advanced downfield but a relieving kick from Wirral brought play down to the Morley half. By this time injury time was being played, Wirral were awarded a penalty some 35 m out but the chance was missed. Morley continued to attack from their half but they were contained and still the referee played on. In the 87th minute Wirral were awarded another penalty some 46 m out but directly in front of the posts, JAMES ANNETTS converted to give Wirral a 16-8 lead. As the ball sailed over the referee called time and thus Morley failed to collect a bonus point in what had been a hard fought tussle with no quarter given.
This result increases Wirral’s advantage over Morley to 5 points and although they are still fourth from the bottom they have made some ground on the teams directly above them. Next week we have a “derby” match against our Cheshire neighbours Lymm and Wirral will be assured of a good following for this match.
Richard McNeil
Further reading
Team Sponsors
