Junior Colts get a hard fought win to start the season

After a hard few weeks pre-season training the Junior colts became the first team to play on the newly prepared front pitch and against a very strong Vale of Lune outfit who asked for and gave no quarter.

Wirral started very strongly playing with the breeze they quickly established dominance of the ball and had Vale under pressure in their own half. The Wirral forwards quickly found out they were in for a hard day at the office and despite early pressure the game was scoreless for the first frenetic 10 minutes. An excellent cross field kick found touch deep in Vales 22 and the resulting line out was won by Wirral who powered forward resulting in number 8 and captain Beamish crashing over in the corner. A difficult conversion was missed by a whisker 5-0. An even passage of play developed but Wirral gradually wore down a very stout Vale defence and were rewarded with a penalty chance which Tyler-Holland took his time over and slotted from a tricky angle to make it 8-0. Wirral continued to play the territory game and made good use of the conditions to peg Vale back in their 22 but could not add to the scoreboard before half time.

The second half started with Vale making good use of the breeze to put Wirral under pressure and some excellent defence from the Wirral backs prevented an early score. Eventually a combination of inexperience from Wirral in clearing our lines and some very direct Vale running from their half backs resulted in a well worked try for Vale - conversion successful 8-7 and very much game on. Wirral kicked off and quickly got back into their stride pressurising Vale all over the pitch, this resulted Ian frantic passage of play in Vales 22 a clearance kick charged down and a try well taken by Palphreyman in the corner, conversion missed 13-7.

The last 15 minutes were backs to the wall stuff for Wirral who repelled wave after wave of Vale attacks who showed why they have established a fine playing record to date with their inventive play which Wirral defended superbly. A final chance for Vale in the last few seconds was not taken and the referee blew for the end of the game.

Well done to all the Wirral lads they played very well, maybe not the best game for them attacking wise but their defence was magnificent, and they took their chances to score very well. A big thanks to Vale for playing a fine game today and good luck to them for the forthcoming season, we will look forward to the return game at their place later in the season.

Another home game next Sunday against Fylde which promises to be just as exciting and will definitely present a stern test.

Andy McKenzie