The Wirral forwards were similar to the game against Manchester and the only change in the backs
was TOM CROFT in the centre. The subs were JOE FURY, CONNER MOORE and debutant ZANE
PRETORIUS.
It was apparent from the onset that Bowdon were to use a kicking game, difficult to break through
the home defence. On 7 minutes, a quick penalty by Wirral brought play to the Bowdon line but in
touching distance of the line the ball was lost. Back came Wirral after a good kick to touch by BEN
BROOKS (15m out), Wirral ploughed on over the try line only for the referee to deem held up over
the line (23 mins). Again in attack we drop the ball when having a chance to score. A Bowdon attack
was thwarted but JAMES REEVE appeared to injure his ankle.
On 30 mins, Bowdon were given a penalty some 30m out which they converted to give them an early
lead 3-0. Ironically at this stage they had given away numerous penalties, some of which we could
have looked to score from, by the end of the game Bowdon had conceded some 26+ penalties and
from my records Wirral had given way 6. 3 minutes later, JAMES REEVE left the field injured, so JOE
FURY came into the front row in place of DAN CARROL, with JOHNNY CARROL going into the back
row and debutant ZANE PRETORIOUS came on to play scrum half. Another kick for goal by Bowdon
failed but in the minute before half time, the Bowdon backs broke through to score close to the
posts, duly converted to leave the score 10-0 at half –time.
The second half started with Bowdon taking the kick off and moving forward, however Wirral
managed to stem the attack. Back came Wirral with two half breaks from WILL MORRIS and RHYS
JAMES taking play into the Bowdon 20m area. A further penalty against Bowdon was rewarded with
a yellow card (at last).
On 59 mins Wirral continue to attack and from a penalty 10m out resulted in JOE FURY crossing over
from 5m out under the posts and converted by RHYS JAMES to reduce the deficit to 10-7. From the
kick off, Bowdon collected the high kick under pressure and a quick pass opened up the Wirral
defence and Bowdon score close to the posts to leave the score at 17-7-60 mins. All that hard work
from Wirral came to nothing.
Wirral amounted another attack and again over the line only for the referee to again decline the
Wirral effort (64 minutes). Back came Wirral, pressing on the Bowdon line only to lose possession
allowing the home team to escape.
On 70 minutes, Wirral are continuing to attack but are thwarted by the penalties being given away
by Bowdon. From this position, Wirral managed to touch down through NICK HEARN, the conversion
was missed. In scoring the try it resulted in another yellow card to Bowdon- 17-12.
On 76 minutes, a scrum to Bowdon enabled them to spin the ball wide and the fly half ran through
to score and conversion was missed to give Bowdon a winning lead 22-12.
Back came Wirral firstly dropping the ball over the Bowdon line but maintained pressure on Bowdon
and with the last move of the game Wirral scored through NICK HEARN, well converted from wide
out by RHYS to at least give Wirral a losing bonus point-22-19.

Overall matters were not helped by having at least 3 tries declined, a lack of power in the centres
where Bowdon were stronger and too many errors when in attack. Wirral will have to improve
before their next game against Anselmians at the Memorial Ground on the 22nd .
Disappointing to note that the second team travelled to Fylde only to be told on arrival that the
match was off as there was no referee, yet there was a referee for the third team! The seconds came
to Bowdon to support the first team, a gesture welcomed by all the Wirral supporters.
Richard McNeil