Wirral Junior Colts continue winning start to the season

Wirral made a few rotational team changes to last weeks team allowing Shaun Buckley to make his debut for the club today as we entertained Fylde.

An even start to the game which was played at a tremendous pace meant that both teams struggled to settle into a steady playing pattern. Fylde opened the scoring with a penalty which seemed to act as a catalyst for Wirral who needed a wake up call. The next 20 minutes was much better from Wirral who really went through the gears and had Fylde under pressure even when Fylde had the ball - this pressure lead to miss timed pass by Fylde centres and Wirrals Aaron Drury intercepted and showed excellent pace to race clear of the covering players to score under the posts - try converted by Mason Tyler-Holland. From the restart Wirral continued to overpower Fylde with hard direct forward drives and some fine backs running. Probably Wirrals best passage of play with forwards and backs combining very effectively lead to Harry Hawley taking a short pass and powerfully driving over the line under the posts - the reliable boot of Tyler-Holland adding the extras - 14 to 3 in favour of Wirral. Fylde then showed why they are in the A league and came back very strongly to put Wirral under pressure, a well working blind side move eventually bringing a try for Fylde, conversion missed the half ended Wirral 14 Fylde 8.

During the interval Wirral made some changes up front kicked off with renewed energy which resulted in some very fine forward play which lesser opponents would have struggled to cope with. Against the run of play Fylde scored first with a try in the corner, conversion successful and Fylde in the lead. Wirral are developing into an excellent team under pressure and ground their way up the field with phase after phase of patient play which eventually resulted in a penalty opportunity - from 35 metres out probably nearer 40 with the angle Tyler-Holland stroked the ball through the posts to put Wirral ahead again.a penalty successfully put over by Fylde and a Further penalty from Tyler - Holland to make it Wirral 20 Fylde 18 the game moved into the last 15 minutes with all to pay for. Wirral showed real class to dominate the loose and set play to get on top now and moved the ball wide from side to side in wave after wave of attacks which resulted in the best back move of the day putting Tyler-Holland in the clear to race clear to score in the corner, conversion narrowly missed. Wirral 25 Fylde 18.

The last few minutes were played around the half way line with both teams pressing until the end of the game.

Fylde gave it a real go today and will do well this season, they played hard rugby and have some excellent players.

Well done to all the Wirral lads two wins out of two a good start to the season, some things to work on in the training paddock but more progress made from week before which is good.

Final score Wirral 25 Fylde 18

Andy McKenzie