This was a much changed team from that which played against Huddersfield last week. In the backs
we had a new scrum half/stand- off combination with JOSH STEAD returning to the first team with
JOHNNY CARROL not available. It was good that Craig was able to persuade Josh to help out the
team. BEN BROOKS came in at fly half, with CHRIS SPEED not being available. RHYS JAMES played
centre, with DAN HARVEY at full back and TOM COLE on the wing in place of TOM CROFT. In the
front row DAN CARROL played at prop with ALEX WILLIAMS at hooker, the second row saw JAMES
KEEN in for HARRY HAWLEY with CONNOR MOORE returned to the back row. The substitutes were
JOHN RALPH, JOE FURY and TOM CROFT. Leek’s team was virtually the same as the two matches we
played against them last season, good to have that level of consistency.
There was no wind at the ground which was ideal for rugby, Wirral were playing down the slope in
the first half. Early play for the first 20 minutes was confined to mid field with both teams struggling
to break each other’s defence although in this period the referee had spoken to both captains on 2
occasions.
On 25 minutes a further high tackle enabled a penalty from RHYS JAMES, enabled Wirral to take a 0-
3 lead. 5 minutes later Leek equalised with a penalty from 40m. On 36 minutes, ALFIE KIMPTON was
sin binned for a high tackle (doubtful) notwithstanding that Leek had been penalised on several
occasions for that offence and the first penalty against Wirral. Two minutes later with Leek having an
extra man played the ball out to the right with a long pass enabling the winger to score, the try was
not converted, 8-6 (39 mins). On 42 minutes, BEN BROOKS (RHYS JAMES carrying an injury) reduced
the Leek lead to 8-6. In the minute before half time, Leek lost a player to the sin bin.
Within a minute of the second half starting Leek increased their lead with a penalty 11-6. JOHN
RALPH came on for DAN CARROL. A penalty and line out to Wirral 5m out enabled the Wirral pack to
move forward and score wide out through ALEX WILLIAMS, well converted by BEN BROOKS to give
Wirral a 11-13 lead (46 mins). On 49 minutes, a further BEN BROOKS penalty increased the Wirral
lead to 11-16.
This was followed by yellow card to JOHN RALPH for a high tackle on 50 minutes. DAN CARROL
came back on for the prop position with CONNOR MOORE on the touchline. With Leek pressing with
the man advantage again managed to give the right winger a run in to score, duly converted to give
Leek an 18-16 lead (61 minutes). On 64 minutes, NICK HEARN (captain) was sin binned for talking! to
the referee and thus with Wirral down to 13, Leek scored another try to extend their lead to 25-16.
TOM CROFT came on for DAN HARVEY and JOE FURY for DAN CARROL.
Leek’s last try was a big mistake by Wirral, the home team kicked downfield and Wirral failed to clear
allowing Leek to drop on the ball over the line, the try was converted to give Leek a 32-16 lead. On
76 minutes, NICK HEARN returned to the field.
Wirral worked hard in the closing stages, the ball went to the left to WILL MORRIS who went on a
great 40m run to race through the Leek defence to score under the posts, which reduced the Leek
lead to 32-23- 78 minutes, BEN BROOKS dropped kick the conversion to speed matters up. Further
adverse comment by a Leek player was followed by a yellow card. On 43 minutes of this half , Wirral

came back again at Leek and took play up to 5 m out, the pack powered forward and captain, NICK
HEARN touched down, again converted by BEN BROOKS to leave the score 32-30. Wirral received a
point for finishing within 7 points but not 2 as they only scored 3 tries.
With a much changed side this was a very determined effort by these players and was an
improvement from the performance put out against Huddersfield last week.
Next week, Wirral play Manchester at home, with the last 3.00pm kick off time of 2025.