Blitz in Last 5 Minutes Sees Off Billingham

Following last week’s heavy defeat at Sheffield with an under strength side in a hastily rearranged match, Wirral returned to winning ways after a number of players returned to the side. Ever present MATT BROWN was rested this week to recover from last week’s injury and thus JACK YARKER came off the subs bench to join CHRIS HUGHES in the front row. CRAIG HARVEY and ADAM SHELDON also returned to the starting XV thus the backs were as usual. MIKE WARREN joined TOM PARRY and ROB PEARL in the back row. The substitutes were STEVE PENDERGAST, CHRIS BURROWS and making his first team appearance of the season was JOE ADNAMS now fully recovered from his viral illness of the summer.
It was Billingham who had the advantage of the strong breeze in the first half and they had Wirral pinned down in their 20m area for long periods as the home team strove to retain possession and move clear, kicks to touch were barely making 15/20m. Against the Billingham attacks Wirral tackled well and all though Billingham had opportunities to score Wirral were able to turn over the ball at vital periods and at least clear to outside the 20m area. Occasionally it was their own errors when they were in sight of the whitewash that enabled Wirral to clear. On one such occasion within sight of the home line, ROB PEARL was sin binned despite being trapped under a number of Billingham players and had no chance of escaping- deemed to be a harsh decision. JOE ADNAMS came on for PAUL LEWIS and seven minutes later, CHRIS BURROWS came on for the blood injury to TOM PARRY.
Billingham were continuing to press and whilst Wirral were down to 14 men had the opportunity to score when they had an overlap with a long pass out to the right winger but the pass was forward and along the ground. The Wirral team continued to counter attack and make ground with grubber kicks to touch as they played out the half to reach the interval with a 0-0 score line.
Billingham started the second half on the attack and when Wirral were in possession used the kick downfield to gain valuable ground. In the 49th minute the home team were awarded a penalty close to the touch line on the half way line. This was quickly taken by ROB PEARL and a pass to ALI BAKER set the winger off down the touchline outpacing his opposite number before cutting inside the full back to touch down 10 metres from the post, JAMES ANNETTS converting. 7-0. STEVE PENDERGAST came on for CHRIS HUGHES.
6 minutes later a series of attacks and a penalty gave Billingham the advantage of a 5 metre line out which they took cleanly and the forwards propelled wing forward, Anthony Jackson over the whitewash. The conversion was missed. 7-5 (55 minutes)
Wirral were looking to use the wind to greater effect as the chase pinned down the Billingham back 3 in their own 20m area although there were occasions when poor tackling allowed them to make substantial ground. Matters were not helped as Wirral kicked dead from 70m out on two occasions giving the away side possession in the Wirral half. The next score was going to be crucial as the minutes ticked away. CHRIS HUGHES replaced STEVE PENDERGAST.
The possession which Wirral were now enjoying was putting considerable pressure on the Billingham line and a try scoring pass was slapped down by the visiting centre, Luke Wilson which gave the referee no option but to ask that he leave the field for 10 minutes. MIKE WARREN and JOE ADNAMS were now replaced by TOM PARRY and CHRIS BURROWS.
A relieving kick from Billingham was collected by JAMES ANNETTS, who went on one of his arching runs which almost split the away defence only to be hauled down 10m from the line. From this position Wirral edged forward and from 2m out, captain CRAIG HARVEY received the ball to crash over in the corner, the conversion from James went wide of the left hand upright, 12-5 (77 minutes). Everything was still to play for, with the next score being vital to both sides. Billingham were penalised 30m out and JAMES ANNETTS converted to mean that Billingham would have to score twice to win the game, 15-5 (79 minutes).
Much as Billingham tried to run the ball out of defence the Wirral defence remained solid as kicking the ball downfield would play into Wirral’s hands. A dropped ball and a kick forward by the away side to try and relive the pressure resulted in ADAM SHELDON taking a clean pick up, beating his opposite number before setting off on a 40m scampering run to the try line where he touched down under the posts, duly converted by JAMES ANNETTS. The referee immediately blew for time to leave Wirral deserved victors.
The flurry of points in the final 5 minutes although late in the game was welcome but came too late in the game to enable Wirral to seek the try bonus point. This win lifts Wirral to 10th position, two points behind Lymm who had a surprise win away at Cleckheaton but more importantly we have a 12 point lead over third bottom Morley who have played one less game. This was good win against a side lying 6th in the league who with virtually the same team had comprehensively beaten Wirral on their own ground earlier in the season, 29-8.
Next week the team are away at Beverley in another must win game as they look to ensure their stay in the National Leagues next season. Those who wish to travel to support, watch out for details on the web site/club notice board.
Richard McNeil