Wirral Win Final Match of the Season

For the final match of the season, Wirral made the relative short journey to Rossendale along with the 2nd XV and Under 14’s, who also had opposition against Rossendale, with the Under 14’s playing a curtain raiser before the first team game (picture shows U14s & 1st XV observing a minutes silence before the game).

Wirral made one enforced change in the starting XV from last week’s game with KIERAN COOK making his first team debut at full back in place of JAMES ANNETTS with the subs bench being, MIKE WARREN, CHRIS TYSON and JACK YARKER.

Wirral lost the toss and played with the wind and slope in the first half with the locals saying that the slope with the wind was worth 20 points! Rossendale were looking to run the ball in the opening minutes and made progress into the Wirral 20m area through their speedy winger, Anthony Bingham. From a kick through in the second minute KEIRAN COOK got his first touch of the ball and went on a 20m run before being tackled, a good start for the debutant.

Gradually with possession Wirral made ground with astute kicking to touch and put pressure on the home side but on too many occasions they lost ball. On 17 minutes the Rossendale prop committed an offence which led to a sin bin, Wirral elected for the scrum rather than the 3 points on offer and after being denied a try by poor passing, the ball came out to PAUL LEWIS who “appeared “to throw a dummy and went over close to the posts, CRAIG HARVEY converted, 0-7 (19 minutes).

A kick from Dan Harvey some 70m from the Rossendale line saw the ball land 20m out and instead of possibly going over the dead ball line, bounced right and dribbled into touch. CHRIS TYSON came on for PAUL LEWIS. This was followed by JACK YARKER coming on for CHRIS HUGHES, who left the field with a rib injury and was not able to take any further part in the game. This was followed by a period of attacking play from Rossendale but the Wirral defence remained solid as long as they tracked the speedy Bingham. On 37 minutes with the Rossendale defence holding steady a half break by CRAIG HARVEY and a delayed pass to ADAM SHELDON saw the winger split the home side defence to race in from 18m under the posts, which Craig converted to increase the lead to 0-14. In the 43rd minute of the half CRAIG HARVEY increased Wirral’s lead to 0-17 at half-time with a penalty.

The second half started with Rossendale as expected on attack but could not break through the defence. On 47 mins. MIKE WARREN came on for CHRIS BURROWS. Despite the wind and slope Wirral were having a fair share of play in the Rossendale 20m area and from a scrum put in to the home side, hooker Jason Green took a ball against the head (three in all during the match) and after several thrusts at the whitewash, ROB PEARL crossed in the corner, the conversion was missed from the touchline. 0-22 (48 minutes).

Back came Rossendale with even more intent and despite having two 5m scrums could not force their way over the line and were repelled when over the line but could not touch down. Eventually after 5 minutes of Wirral defence, the Rossendale prop, Leighton Taylor aided by colleagues managed to get the touch down and duly converted by Steve Nutt 7-22 (58 mins) which still meant the home side had to score 3 more times to deny Wirral victory.

This try gave Rossendale the necessary impetus and were again in the Wirral danger area but lost the ball inches from the line, this was collected by ROB PEARL who with all the home defence in front of him was able to take the ball up-field some 20m metres. Steve Nutt for the home side made a break and when faced with the Wirral full back put in a kick but was thwarted by KEIRAN COOK. Another 50m break by ROB PEARL saw pressure relieved and with the minutes ticking away the large crowd urged on the home side. CHRIS BURROWS came on for Tom PARRY (68 mins).
On 75 minutes, Rossendale scored their second try from close range through Jordan Law which dully converted left the score 14-22, leaving matters for a grandstand finish but as much as Rossendale tried to bring their wingers into the game the Wirral tackling stood out. Injury time was now in play and a deft kick over the Rossendale defence left the last defender exposed as he allowed the ball to bounce and the Wirral winger, ALI BAKER just failed to collect what would have a try bonus point. This excellent performance was ended with Wirral in the Rossendale half of the field.

Special mention must go to two players, although all 18 deserve praise but an outstanding performance from ROB PEARL as he has been in the matches he has played since recovering from his broken arm and to STEVE PENDERGAST who played in the full 90 minutes and gave his opposite prop a torrid time.

The players and coaches would like to thank all spectators for their encouragement and support in this first season in the National Leagues and especially the good numbers who came to Rossendale.

Richard McNeil