BackSat 18 Jan 2025 ·  Regional 1 North West
Newport (Salop)
1st XV
19
24
Tries: N Hearn, W Morris, T AkehurstConversions: R James (3)Penalties: R James
Wirral Squeeze Through to Win
Andrew Broadbent19 Jan - 16:29
For their second consecutive game, Wirral had to travel to the North Midlands for their game.
This was Wirral's first visit to the Shropshire side's smart ground where the pitch was in excellent condition for open play.
There were a number of changes to the team which had played at Leek two weeks ago. In the backs, JIMMY ANNETTS was back at centre with TOM COLE on the left wing. In the forwards, Wirral had a different front row for most of the game, ADAM DON returned to the side with the other prop JOHN RALPH (joined the club from Caldy) making his debut for the first team after a few games in the second team. Hooker , MATT RINGER started but came off early in the game with a neck injury, leaving DAN CARROL, a substitute, to take over in the front row, JOE ADNAMS was in the second row with MATT DALTON playing blindside, The other substitutes were GEORGE McCANN and DAN HARVEY.
Wirral played in their second colours of grey and had the advantage of the slight slope in the first half. Wirral started the game with great intensity and 35m out Newport had the ball and were looking to kick the ball downfield only for JOHN RALPH to charge the kick down and give Wirral vital ball out to BEN BROOKS, who passed onto to NICK HEARN who scored close to the posts and duly converted by RHYS JAMES, 0-7 (2 minutes). This was followed with a double penalty to Wirral who took play down to 10m out, Wirral won the ball and pressed forward, the push in the maul should have continued with the potential of another score but the ball was released out to the backs and
the chance was lost. After 15 minutes, Newport were on the score sheet with a penalty 3-7. MATT RINGER left the field to be replaced by DAN CARROL. From the next scrum, TOM AKEHURST went blind and put over a kick which enabled WILL MORRIS to outplace the defence and awaiting the bounce for the ball to be caught and cross over in the corner. From the touchline, RHYS JAMES converted to extend the Wirral
lead to 3-14. On 20minutes a Newport move saw one of their large forwards collect the ball some 20m out and moved forward to score close to the posts, converted to leave the score 10-14. Newport were keen on using their larger forwards to move on to short passes and move up-field taking a lot of tackling from our backs. On 25 minutes, Wirral again repelled Newport when the home side had a 5m line out which fortunately Wirral won and were able to clear. In the period up to half time, Newport had more of the ball and were able to take the lead with two more penalties to lead 16-14 at half time.
Early in the second half, GEORGE McCANN came on for JOHN RALPH with JOE ADNAMS moving back up to prop. After 50 mins, Newport had a penalty 25m out and rather than go for penalty points went for a touch find to attempt to score again, fortunately Wirral recovered from this position. Shortly after this, Wirral were at the other end of the field and from close to the posts RHYS JAMES was on hand to give Wirral the lead 16-17. On 68 minutes, Wirral kicked forward some 50m ahead with a Newport player looking to clear, the ball bounced awkwardly and the following up TOM AKEHURST won the race to touch down in the corner. From the touchline, RHYS JAMES again converted to give
Wirral a 16-24 lead, thus two scores ahead of Newport. Further changes came with DAN HARVEY on for a slightly injured TOM COLE and JOHN RALPH for JOE ADNAMS. In this tense period with Newport again pressing, Wirral were awarded a penalty 25m out in front of the posts, they declined the kick and went for touch only to unfortunately kick the ball dead. A score would have put Wirral 11 points ahead!
In the 77 th minute a further penalty gave Newport a chance of winning, 19-24. The last few minutes were full of attack from Newport, in the last minute with a scrum close to the Wirral line, JOE ADNAMS came into the scrum to give more weight as GEORGE McCANN came off. Only superb tackling kept Newport out until they swung the ball out to the right, a high floating pass to the right winger went way over his head, the chance was lost as the referee blew for time.
Wirral were fortunate to come away with 4 points and put Wirral up to 3rd in the table some 4 points behind Manchester, who we play at home in a few weeks time but 4 points ahead of Anselmians who have currently played a game less.
Next week, Wirral are at home to Stoke, their first visit to Clatterbridge, kick off at 2.15pm.
There were a number of changes to the team which had played at Leek two weeks ago. In the backs, JIMMY ANNETTS was back at centre with TOM COLE on the left wing. In the forwards, Wirral had a different front row for most of the game, ADAM DON returned to the side with the other prop JOHN RALPH (joined the club from Caldy) making his debut for the first team after a few games in the second team. Hooker , MATT RINGER started but came off early in the game with a neck injury, leaving DAN CARROL, a substitute, to take over in the front row, JOE ADNAMS was in the second row with MATT DALTON playing blindside, The other substitutes were GEORGE McCANN and DAN HARVEY.
Wirral played in their second colours of grey and had the advantage of the slight slope in the first half. Wirral started the game with great intensity and 35m out Newport had the ball and were looking to kick the ball downfield only for JOHN RALPH to charge the kick down and give Wirral vital ball out to BEN BROOKS, who passed onto to NICK HEARN who scored close to the posts and duly converted by RHYS JAMES, 0-7 (2 minutes). This was followed with a double penalty to Wirral who took play down to 10m out, Wirral won the ball and pressed forward, the push in the maul should have continued with the potential of another score but the ball was released out to the backs and
the chance was lost. After 15 minutes, Newport were on the score sheet with a penalty 3-7. MATT RINGER left the field to be replaced by DAN CARROL. From the next scrum, TOM AKEHURST went blind and put over a kick which enabled WILL MORRIS to outplace the defence and awaiting the bounce for the ball to be caught and cross over in the corner. From the touchline, RHYS JAMES converted to extend the Wirral
lead to 3-14. On 20minutes a Newport move saw one of their large forwards collect the ball some 20m out and moved forward to score close to the posts, converted to leave the score 10-14. Newport were keen on using their larger forwards to move on to short passes and move up-field taking a lot of tackling from our backs. On 25 minutes, Wirral again repelled Newport when the home side had a 5m line out which fortunately Wirral won and were able to clear. In the period up to half time, Newport had more of the ball and were able to take the lead with two more penalties to lead 16-14 at half time.
Early in the second half, GEORGE McCANN came on for JOHN RALPH with JOE ADNAMS moving back up to prop. After 50 mins, Newport had a penalty 25m out and rather than go for penalty points went for a touch find to attempt to score again, fortunately Wirral recovered from this position. Shortly after this, Wirral were at the other end of the field and from close to the posts RHYS JAMES was on hand to give Wirral the lead 16-17. On 68 minutes, Wirral kicked forward some 50m ahead with a Newport player looking to clear, the ball bounced awkwardly and the following up TOM AKEHURST won the race to touch down in the corner. From the touchline, RHYS JAMES again converted to give
Wirral a 16-24 lead, thus two scores ahead of Newport. Further changes came with DAN HARVEY on for a slightly injured TOM COLE and JOHN RALPH for JOE ADNAMS. In this tense period with Newport again pressing, Wirral were awarded a penalty 25m out in front of the posts, they declined the kick and went for touch only to unfortunately kick the ball dead. A score would have put Wirral 11 points ahead!
In the 77 th minute a further penalty gave Newport a chance of winning, 19-24. The last few minutes were full of attack from Newport, in the last minute with a scrum close to the Wirral line, JOE ADNAMS came into the scrum to give more weight as GEORGE McCANN came off. Only superb tackling kept Newport out until they swung the ball out to the right, a high floating pass to the right winger went way over his head, the chance was lost as the referee blew for time.
Wirral were fortunate to come away with 4 points and put Wirral up to 3rd in the table some 4 points behind Manchester, who we play at home in a few weeks time but 4 points ahead of Anselmians who have currently played a game less.
Next week, Wirral are at home to Stoke, their first visit to Clatterbridge, kick off at 2.15pm.
Further reading