He who dares, Ansies, He who dares!

Eager as ever Ansies turned up early in anticipation and Kimpo had it all planned out. Part of his Trotters Independent Trading plan was to give the Ansie’s boys a rousing “The World is your lobster” speech and so he enquired whether we had a changing room reserved for them. Chateau Neuf Du Pape! Mange Tout, Kimpo, Mange Tout!

As we are regular opponents I had a good idea that Ansies would focus their attention on closing down our prolific try scoring centre and so, to create a “dog chasing the car and the car stops” situation, we decided to leave him on the bench for the first half. He Who Dares, Ansies!

Indeed we fielded three debutants including man mountain Stef in the already burgeoning pack and two new backs Reece and Ste. Welcome boys. You’re gonna love beating Ansies over the next few years!

The coaches led the warm up with the exception of Porky, who we left in the clubhouse on the fruit machine. He thinks it counts as one of his 5 a day!

As Dave was unavailable due to a subsequent engagement, Donny had been nominated as hooker. He was thrilled by the idea and was even more delighted when I told him he was going to have a one-to-one coaching session from Branchy. During ten minutes of the warm-up Branchy imparted to Donny everything he knew about hooking. Five times over.

So from the kick-off it was a bit end to end for a while, the early breakdowns being fairly evenly contested. Only later were Ansies to get into their stride and get the upper hand in that department. After a number of bruising encounters the ball came out of a ruck and eventually into the hands of one of the Ansies’ centres. Under pressure from the advancing Wirral back line he decided to kick in an attempt to get out of trouble. Oh Contraire, Ansies, Oh Contraire! Ste, on his Wirral dayboo at full back, was perfectly positioned under the ball, collected it safely and began his meandering burst, breaking through five attempted tackles to score in the corner. Cushty! (I don’t usually do MOTM but Ste’s performance was outstanding, especially as it was his dayboo, and he deserves it.)

After a period of sustained pressure on the Wirral line from the Ansies pack their centre plunged over from short range to even the score 5-5. Pot Pourri, Pot Pourri.

Well done to Stef who was also daybooing during the first half and made some hard yards and doubtless has a bright future in the Wirral pack.

At half-time we had a shift change in the pack and a shuffle of the backs. Pukka! Our third debutant of the day, Reece took to the wing, a position he had never played before and did an admirable job and will doubtless learn his trade with ease given more game time. Triffic!

Donny played hooker in the second half and also did a great job. Adding to his skills and giving further strength and depth to the squad will benefit him in the future. Fromage frais, Donny, Fromage Frais!

Second half tries came from Will, Ste and Will; Wirral’s backs having the hands and pace to out play their opponents in the second half.

It’s always a tough match against Ansies that I think the players, coaches and supporters all enjoy. Today was no exception.

Thanks to Moggy for reffing, thanks to Ken for presenting the Cup and thanks to Ansies players and coaches for a challenge as ever. This time next year, Kimpo, this time next year!

It’s not Farewell....just Bonjour!

Lovely Jubbly!