Wirral win at windy winnington...

Wirral, after losing several players over the summer, have started the rebuilding process but with only 16 available for Sunday we knew we were in for a tough afternoon.

This was compounded when two players were late meaning the first 5 mins were played with only 14!!!

Wirral started well and after persistent penalties Harry Mates our captain this year slotted the kick to open the scoring. Wirral 3 Winnington 0.

End to end rugby and both sides producing some good play and bad mistakes in equal measure resulted in another penalty for Wirral. Harry stepped up again and Wirral were 6 points up!

The scrums being our first with the new engagement rules went well and we even managed several against the head! Credit to the front row!
Our line out functioned well considering we are lifting for the first time. With Connor Gill in fine form he not only secured most of our ball but took a lot of theirs and spoilt the rest!!!

Winnington Park were repeatedly penalised but Wirral were unable to make them pay. Jack Jones went on one of his lung bursting powerful runs to evade several tackles and score under the posts!!! To which Harry drop kicked the conversion.
Wirral 13 Winnington Park 0.

Just before half time Winnington Park struck back with a try in the corner but missed the kick.

Half time.. Wirral 13 Winnington Park 5

Our man of match Alex Brophy had a storming game at scrum half, taking quick penalties, making runs, bossing the game and tackling like a man possessed. Our hooker Ben Thomas was like a bull making great runs, tackles and strikes as well as some excellent throws, especially considering the conditions, and was a close second for man of the match.

The second half saw Winnington Park putting pressure on us and forcing mistakes. Lack of match fitness was showing and when one of the Winnington lads stepped through 5 missed tackles to score our lads woke up. Winnington missed the kick and it was game on again!!!

The second half was a great game of rugby from both sides! Tackles, rucks, mauls and ball played through the back line!!!
The last 5 minuets saw Wirral camped on the Winnington Park try line. Wirral had the ball over the line 3 times but each was deemed to have been held up. There was an amazing amount of penalties for Wirral but we could not cross the line.

With Wirral in the ascendency the ref, who quite possibly is the best ref we have ever had, called time on what was a great game for both teams and spectators alike!

The whole 16 players deserved man of the match as everyone was outstanding and our thoughts are with Josh Platt who came off injured. After removing his boot to see massive swelling a visit to A&E was recommended which showed that he has torn ligaments and is side lined for 6 weeks!!!

Josh's injury apart this was a great first day back for our new look squad