BackSat 03 May 2025
1st XVHuddersfield
Tries: J Annetts, H Long , T Akehurst, R James, W Morris (2), G Burrows, A KimptonConversions: R James (3), J Annetts (3)
50
38
Wirral Fail to Overcome Deficit
Andrew Broadbent17 May - 12:42
The return leg resulted in victory but Wirral were unable to overcome the deficit faced after Huddersfield's home victory last week.
This was the second leg of the quarter final of the Papa John’s competition against Huddersfield whom we played last week losing 31-17 at their ground, matters not helped by HUDD scoring 12 points in the last 5 minutes of a half that lasted 53 minutes.
Today was the final game for JIMMY ANNETTS and he led the team out onto the pitch- we are also aware that this was JOSH ADNAMS final game. Wirral played against the wind, playing towards the main road.
Wirral made changes to last week’s game with CHRIS SPEED drafted into the back row; RHYS JAMES went into the centres with ALFIE KIMPTON on the wing, whilst bringing in DAN HARVEY at full back. The substitutes were HARRY CROPPER-JOYCE, JOE FURY, JIM LEVENE, JAMES REEVE, GEORGE BURROWS, MARK GIDMAN and JONNY CARROL.
The first attack of the game resulted in Hudd being awarded a penalty in front of the posts some 25m out but this was missed. However from the kick off a Hudd attack resulted in an overlap down the right with Ben Cawte-Davey being given a run in to score 14m from the posts, duly converted to give Hudd an early lead 0-7 (17-38). On 10 minutes, Wirral had play down in the Hudd half, a kick to touch gained few metres in the wind, however Wirral made progress downfield and keen tackling were keeping Wirral out, eventually the ball was spun out and JAMES ANNETTS put a grubber kick through from 10m out and was the first to react collecting the ball close to the posts to score and duly converted by RHYS JAMES, now 7-7(24-38).
At this stage, Hudd had given away a number of penalties- mostly due to high tackles and on 23 minutes, one of their players was sin –binned. Wirral had much pressure in the Hudd half and matters were helped by a good run from RHYS JAMES which set up Wirral in the Hudd 20m area. Wirral pressed with a number of attempts on the Hudd line and matters came to a head with a 10m run and try by HAYDEN LONG, the this was not converted, 12-7 (29-38) on 25 mins.
31 mins HARRY CROPPER-JOYCE on for CHRIS SPEED, with Wirral now playing much better with the ball in hand. Late in the first half a further Hudd attack broke down the Wirral attack and this enabled their right winger to cross for his second try, the conversion bounced off the post to give Hudd a 12-14 (29-45) lead at half time.
Wirral now have the benefit of the wind in the second half to overcome their 16 point deficit. Early in the second half, Wirral hit back by taking a quick penalty and TOM AKEHURST scoring close to the posts and duly converted by RHYS JAMES. Two minutes later a Hudd attack resulted in another Hudd try, which was also converted, so any change to the deficit was lost 19-21 (36-52).
Wirral with the benefit of the wind and tend to play better attacking the club house end of the pitch. Good passing by the Wirral side enabled WILL MORRIS to make a strong run down the right wing was stopped metres short of the line, Wirral recycled and down the left and a strong run by RHYS JAMES enabled him to score wide out, the conversion was missed, 24-21 (41-52).
Tries were being scored on a regular basis and play down the right resulted in WILL MORRIS touching down in the corner, the conversion from JAMES ANNETTS, failed with the conversion, 29-21 (46-52).On 59 minutes, Hudd had play down in the Wirral 20m area and with ball in hand they are a dangerous team as they press forward and a well executed move enabled them to score close to the posts, duly converted to leave the score at 29-28 (46-59). This was leaving much for Wirral to do, to win this match overall. GEORGE BURROWS comes on for DAN HARVEY; ALFIE KIMPTON goes to centre with RHYS JAMES back to full back. However a further well executed try gave Hudd a lead overall of 46-66 meaning Wirral have much to do to rescue this game. On 63 mins a break from NICK HEARN, passing on to RHYS JAMES and on to WILL MORRIS who touched down and converted by JAMES ANNETTS to give Wirral the lead on the day to 36-35 (53-66). This was followed by Hudd taking a penalty to increase their overall lead to 53-69, Wirral now had to score three times to win this game overall.
In attack Wirral continued to pressure and a good run down the wing by WILL MORRIS was followed by a chip downfield but Hudd fullback raced across the field to touchdown. Wirral subsequently applied pressure and resulted in a try by GEORGE BURROWS again converted by JIMMY ANNETTS- 43-38 (60-69). Wirral continued to press, spinning the ball wide and some 40m out, Alfie Kimpton received the ball and beat a couple of players before rounding the fullback and score under the posts, duly converted to extend the Wirral lead to 50-38 (67-69)-78 minutes. Is it possible could pull back the deficit? From the kick off Wirral collected and moved forward to the half-way line, where they were awarded a penalty, this was to be the last play of the game. From 1 metre inside the Hudd half, the decision was taken to have a kick for goal. JIMMY in his last match could win the game, kicked well, only for the ball to hit the side posts enabling Hudd to clear and time was called on the game.
As can be seen Wirral failed by 2 points to pull back the deficit from last week and how much must they rue on the extra minutes played in the second half last week.
This was the last match of the season in front of a large crowd who must commend Wirral on their performance today and this season against an excellent Huddersfield side.
Richard McNeil
Today was the final game for JIMMY ANNETTS and he led the team out onto the pitch- we are also aware that this was JOSH ADNAMS final game. Wirral played against the wind, playing towards the main road.
Wirral made changes to last week’s game with CHRIS SPEED drafted into the back row; RHYS JAMES went into the centres with ALFIE KIMPTON on the wing, whilst bringing in DAN HARVEY at full back. The substitutes were HARRY CROPPER-JOYCE, JOE FURY, JIM LEVENE, JAMES REEVE, GEORGE BURROWS, MARK GIDMAN and JONNY CARROL.
The first attack of the game resulted in Hudd being awarded a penalty in front of the posts some 25m out but this was missed. However from the kick off a Hudd attack resulted in an overlap down the right with Ben Cawte-Davey being given a run in to score 14m from the posts, duly converted to give Hudd an early lead 0-7 (17-38). On 10 minutes, Wirral had play down in the Hudd half, a kick to touch gained few metres in the wind, however Wirral made progress downfield and keen tackling were keeping Wirral out, eventually the ball was spun out and JAMES ANNETTS put a grubber kick through from 10m out and was the first to react collecting the ball close to the posts to score and duly converted by RHYS JAMES, now 7-7(24-38).
At this stage, Hudd had given away a number of penalties- mostly due to high tackles and on 23 minutes, one of their players was sin –binned. Wirral had much pressure in the Hudd half and matters were helped by a good run from RHYS JAMES which set up Wirral in the Hudd 20m area. Wirral pressed with a number of attempts on the Hudd line and matters came to a head with a 10m run and try by HAYDEN LONG, the this was not converted, 12-7 (29-38) on 25 mins.
31 mins HARRY CROPPER-JOYCE on for CHRIS SPEED, with Wirral now playing much better with the ball in hand. Late in the first half a further Hudd attack broke down the Wirral attack and this enabled their right winger to cross for his second try, the conversion bounced off the post to give Hudd a 12-14 (29-45) lead at half time.
Wirral now have the benefit of the wind in the second half to overcome their 16 point deficit. Early in the second half, Wirral hit back by taking a quick penalty and TOM AKEHURST scoring close to the posts and duly converted by RHYS JAMES. Two minutes later a Hudd attack resulted in another Hudd try, which was also converted, so any change to the deficit was lost 19-21 (36-52).
Wirral with the benefit of the wind and tend to play better attacking the club house end of the pitch. Good passing by the Wirral side enabled WILL MORRIS to make a strong run down the right wing was stopped metres short of the line, Wirral recycled and down the left and a strong run by RHYS JAMES enabled him to score wide out, the conversion was missed, 24-21 (41-52).
Tries were being scored on a regular basis and play down the right resulted in WILL MORRIS touching down in the corner, the conversion from JAMES ANNETTS, failed with the conversion, 29-21 (46-52).On 59 minutes, Hudd had play down in the Wirral 20m area and with ball in hand they are a dangerous team as they press forward and a well executed move enabled them to score close to the posts, duly converted to leave the score at 29-28 (46-59). This was leaving much for Wirral to do, to win this match overall. GEORGE BURROWS comes on for DAN HARVEY; ALFIE KIMPTON goes to centre with RHYS JAMES back to full back. However a further well executed try gave Hudd a lead overall of 46-66 meaning Wirral have much to do to rescue this game. On 63 mins a break from NICK HEARN, passing on to RHYS JAMES and on to WILL MORRIS who touched down and converted by JAMES ANNETTS to give Wirral the lead on the day to 36-35 (53-66). This was followed by Hudd taking a penalty to increase their overall lead to 53-69, Wirral now had to score three times to win this game overall.
In attack Wirral continued to pressure and a good run down the wing by WILL MORRIS was followed by a chip downfield but Hudd fullback raced across the field to touchdown. Wirral subsequently applied pressure and resulted in a try by GEORGE BURROWS again converted by JIMMY ANNETTS- 43-38 (60-69). Wirral continued to press, spinning the ball wide and some 40m out, Alfie Kimpton received the ball and beat a couple of players before rounding the fullback and score under the posts, duly converted to extend the Wirral lead to 50-38 (67-69)-78 minutes. Is it possible could pull back the deficit? From the kick off Wirral collected and moved forward to the half-way line, where they were awarded a penalty, this was to be the last play of the game. From 1 metre inside the Hudd half, the decision was taken to have a kick for goal. JIMMY in his last match could win the game, kicked well, only for the ball to hit the side posts enabling Hudd to clear and time was called on the game.
As can be seen Wirral failed by 2 points to pull back the deficit from last week and how much must they rue on the extra minutes played in the second half last week.
This was the last match of the season in front of a large crowd who must commend Wirral on their performance today and this season against an excellent Huddersfield side.
Richard McNeil
Further reading