BackSat 25 Apr 2026
Manchester
1st XV
19
36
Wirral Win Relegation Battle
Andrew Broadbent26 Apr - 12:35
A positive attitude to the game results in a win and Wirral's position at this level secured.
This was Wirral’s (who finished 10thin the League ) relegation game against 9th placed Manchester, who Wirral had beaten at home 45-29 early in the season and then lost 59-14 at Manchester in February. Previous games had been high- scoring: thus Wirral were feeling apprehensive regarding this game, played in warm conditions with a minimal amount of wind and good covering on this wide expansive field.
Wirral made changes to their team with MARK WILLIAMS and ALFIE KIMPTON playing in the centres with BEN BROOKS at fly half. HAYDEN LONG rejoined the pack after injury with JIM LEVENE brought into the back row. The subs were TOM CROFT, DAN CARROLL and SAM VICKERS (returning after injury).
The match started with a long kick downfield caught by RHYS JAMES who runs and responds with a high kick forward which he chased and caught in a challenge with the Manchester players, from this possession, Wirral pressed forward which resulted in MARK WILLIAMS scoring 10m from the posts, the conversion was missed by RHYS 0-5 (2 mins).
For the next few minutes play was concentrated in the MCR 20m until they eventually clear downfield. From a scrum 40m out, Wirral played the ball down the line and after several passes MARK WILLIAMS passed to BEN BROOKS who scored close to the posts, this was converted by MARK
WILLIAMS (who took over the goal kicking for the rest of the afternoon- not missing any) 0-12 (21 mins). On 23 mins a long kick downfield was caught by MARK WILLIAMS (he is everywhere) who broke through the MCR line to set up RHYS JAMES to score under the posts, converted by MARK 0-19 (24 mins).
Wirral drop a high ball giving MCR the chance to play in the Wirral half but the away team eventually clear, this was then followed with a break by RHYS JAMES who passed onto captain, NICK HEARN to score close to the posts, again converted by MARK, to extend the lead to 0-26 (27 mins).
On 34 mins, a penalty gave MCR territory and the home side made progress to the Wirral line, they were held but they controlled the ball and passed the ball out wide to give their left winger a run in for an easy try, the conversion was missed (5-26) 37 mins. In the period before half-time, Wirral had a 5m line out, the ball along the line leading to BEN BROOKS scoring his second try, again converted by MARK. This left WIRRAL with a healthy 5-33 lead and it was good to see such a positive performance from Wirral.
The early pressure in the second half came from MCR but Wirral stemmed the attack and eventually clear. This was followed by another attack by Wirral but came to nought when knocking on. SAM VICKERS came on for JIM LEVENE (60mins). The next few minutes saw Wirral having to make long kicks downfield to clear play from their half. MCR were making progress downfield and on 58 mins BEN BROOKS was sin binned. This gave MCR pressure in the Wirral 20m area and with MCR persistent they score close to the posts, duly converted; 12-33 (66 mins). Two Wirral changes, DAN CARROLL and TOM CROFT on for JAMES REEVE and TOM COLE. This MCR score gave them more incentive and Wirral were attacking when the ball was intercepted giving an MCR forward an easy 20m run to the line to score under the posts, duly converted; 19-33
(68 mins). This shocked the Wirral team, knowing that 2 more tries would equal Wirral’s score.
After 13 minutes, BEN BROOKS re joined the game. On 71 mins, Wirral awarded a penalty wide out some 35m from the posts, penalty taken by MARK WILLIAMS and it sailed over (5 out of5 -100%) giving Wirral a 19-36 (71 mins) lead meaning MCR have to score 3 tries to win the game.
Pressure again from MCR and another 5m line out for MCR, Wirral held out. Another penalty for MCR, they turned down the kick at goal and Wirral still held out. In the period after 40mins, extra time was being played but it led to HAYDEN LONG being sin binned. Wirral held out until the final whistle to give Wirral a well deserved win and security in the league.
Comment must be made of the large number of spectators who had travelled over from Wirral along with the full coach load of supporters who kept their support going for the full 80 mins along with the drummer we brought along with us.
The second team could not raise a front row to play Caldy this afternoon; Caldy were looking to play first team players looking for a game. On the basis of the second team not playing the thirds were not allowed to play a league game.
That’s all for this season and thanks for all those who have supported the club this season.
Richard McNeil
Wirral made changes to their team with MARK WILLIAMS and ALFIE KIMPTON playing in the centres with BEN BROOKS at fly half. HAYDEN LONG rejoined the pack after injury with JIM LEVENE brought into the back row. The subs were TOM CROFT, DAN CARROLL and SAM VICKERS (returning after injury).
The match started with a long kick downfield caught by RHYS JAMES who runs and responds with a high kick forward which he chased and caught in a challenge with the Manchester players, from this possession, Wirral pressed forward which resulted in MARK WILLIAMS scoring 10m from the posts, the conversion was missed by RHYS 0-5 (2 mins).
For the next few minutes play was concentrated in the MCR 20m until they eventually clear downfield. From a scrum 40m out, Wirral played the ball down the line and after several passes MARK WILLIAMS passed to BEN BROOKS who scored close to the posts, this was converted by MARK
WILLIAMS (who took over the goal kicking for the rest of the afternoon- not missing any) 0-12 (21 mins). On 23 mins a long kick downfield was caught by MARK WILLIAMS (he is everywhere) who broke through the MCR line to set up RHYS JAMES to score under the posts, converted by MARK 0-19 (24 mins).
Wirral drop a high ball giving MCR the chance to play in the Wirral half but the away team eventually clear, this was then followed with a break by RHYS JAMES who passed onto captain, NICK HEARN to score close to the posts, again converted by MARK, to extend the lead to 0-26 (27 mins).
On 34 mins, a penalty gave MCR territory and the home side made progress to the Wirral line, they were held but they controlled the ball and passed the ball out wide to give their left winger a run in for an easy try, the conversion was missed (5-26) 37 mins. In the period before half-time, Wirral had a 5m line out, the ball along the line leading to BEN BROOKS scoring his second try, again converted by MARK. This left WIRRAL with a healthy 5-33 lead and it was good to see such a positive performance from Wirral.
The early pressure in the second half came from MCR but Wirral stemmed the attack and eventually clear. This was followed by another attack by Wirral but came to nought when knocking on. SAM VICKERS came on for JIM LEVENE (60mins). The next few minutes saw Wirral having to make long kicks downfield to clear play from their half. MCR were making progress downfield and on 58 mins BEN BROOKS was sin binned. This gave MCR pressure in the Wirral 20m area and with MCR persistent they score close to the posts, duly converted; 12-33 (66 mins). Two Wirral changes, DAN CARROLL and TOM CROFT on for JAMES REEVE and TOM COLE. This MCR score gave them more incentive and Wirral were attacking when the ball was intercepted giving an MCR forward an easy 20m run to the line to score under the posts, duly converted; 19-33
(68 mins). This shocked the Wirral team, knowing that 2 more tries would equal Wirral’s score.
After 13 minutes, BEN BROOKS re joined the game. On 71 mins, Wirral awarded a penalty wide out some 35m from the posts, penalty taken by MARK WILLIAMS and it sailed over (5 out of5 -100%) giving Wirral a 19-36 (71 mins) lead meaning MCR have to score 3 tries to win the game.
Pressure again from MCR and another 5m line out for MCR, Wirral held out. Another penalty for MCR, they turned down the kick at goal and Wirral still held out. In the period after 40mins, extra time was being played but it led to HAYDEN LONG being sin binned. Wirral held out until the final whistle to give Wirral a well deserved win and security in the league.
Comment must be made of the large number of spectators who had travelled over from Wirral along with the full coach load of supporters who kept their support going for the full 80 mins along with the drummer we brought along with us.
The second team could not raise a front row to play Caldy this afternoon; Caldy were looking to play first team players looking for a game. On the basis of the second team not playing the thirds were not allowed to play a league game.
That’s all for this season and thanks for all those who have supported the club this season.
Richard McNeil
Further reading