This home fixture was against our neighbours and league leaders ANS, who showed the progress
they have made in the past two seasons with the influence of being able to attract players with their
payment system.
Wirral had to make changes to their team, with ADAM DON having to withdraw following a training
injury thus bringing in JOHN RALPH into the front row and JOE FURY to the subs bench. ZANE
PRETORIOUS made his home debut at scrum half and GRUFF ROBERTS switched from back row to
cover in the centre. The other subs were TOM CROFT and ALEX WILLIAMS.
There was Wirral’s largest crowd of the season to watch this game, some having had a roast lunch
for over 120 guests. Given the weather we have been having, there was no rain during the game,
minimal amount of wind and the pitch was in ideal condition for this match.
Wirral played towards the main road in the first half and play was steady for the first few minutes
until ANS made progress to the 20m area followed by a 5m line out, where they caught and drove
over the line to score wide out and well converted, 0-7 (8mins). Back came the home side and
matters were eased with a 30m break by RHYS JAMES, which eventually led to a penalty, which Rhys
converted from 50m, 3-7- 11mins.
Pressure came from ANS and good tackling by Wirral retained the ground gained by the away team
and Wirral made progress with a good run by CONNOR MOORE. ANS made progress downfield and
Wirral with the ball lost control which enabled ANS to pick up and cross close to the posts, duly
converted 3-14 (25min). Wirral were doing much tackling to stop ANS progress but eventually a long
pass to the right winger enabled him to score and duly converted to give ANS a 3-21 lead (30 mins).
Wirral at last had pressure in the ANS 20m area and then on their line and after a number of
attempts at the line, the ball passed out to the right where WILL MORRIS crossed in the corner and
well converted from the touch line by RHYS JAMES, 10-21 (35 mins). In the minutes before half time,
ANS again attacking but the ball was retained by Wirral who looked to clear, however the kick was
charged down and ANS won the race to touch down over the line, an unfortunate situation and
again converted to give ANS a 10-28 lead at half time. Thus at half-time Wirral had given ANS 14
points.
Three minutes into the second half, ANS had a 5m line out and with the strength of their forwards
they pushed over for another try, which was not converted, 10-33 (43 mins). On 47 mins Wirral
came back with an attack down the right where WILL MORRIS made ground before passing onto
GRUFF ROBERTS who crossed in the corner, the conversion was made from the touchline by RHYS
JAMES to reduce the deficit to 17-33 (48 mins). This was followed by a spell of good play from Wirral
a good run by GRUFF ROBERTS brought play deep into the 20m area and further progress saw
HARRY CROPPER- JOYCE over the line with the referee deeming the ball is held up over the line (56
mins). From this position in the ANS 20m area, the away team attacked and left the winger on the
left with a clear run in but the conversion was missed 17-38 (58 mins).
Wirral made three changes, TOM CROFT, ALEX WILLIAMS and JOE FURY coming on for TOM COLE,
MATT RINGER and CONNOR MOORE, this meant JOE going to second row with HARRY HAWLEY
moving to the back row.
The next try came through the ANS forwards despite a knock –on not seen by the referee but not

converted 17-43 (62 mins). On 68 mins, ANS scored another try with the winger running in from
50m, again converted, 17-50. The next ANS try came from another Wirral error when a kick through
was not collected cleanly by Wirral, the ANS winger kicked forward to pick up and score under the
posts, duly converted, 17-57 (74 mins). On 77 mins, they take our line out some 70m out and swift
passing along the backs saw the ANS winger have a clear run to the try line, the conversion was
missed, 17-62 (79 mins).
In the last play of the game, Wirral again attacked and with a 5m line out, the ball was down the line
and ends with hard-working WILL MORRIS scoring his second try in the corner, the conversion was
missed and the game ended 22-62.
Whilst ANS were the better team, they were helped by the ball going in their favour with the charge
down whilst Wirral’s charge down went over the dead ball line coupled with twice losing the ball
when in control which led to ANS points.
Next week, Wirral are away at Long Eaton next week.
Richard McNeil