This was Wirral’s first game at home against BOT having beaten them at BOT a couple of seasons ago
in the Papa John’s cup game.
Following last week’s game at Long Eaton, Wirral suffered 3 injuries to the first team squad, firstly
lock and line out catcher, HAYDEN LONG was out with a hamstring injury, ADAM DON had a back
injury and ALFIE KIMPTON had a rotator cuff injury. However HARRY HAWLEY was back into the
second row and he was joined by debutant JACK BRUCE having joined the club from Glasgow GHA
(Hutchesons Aloysians Rugby Club) and had 2 matches for the third team previously. We were able
to welcome BEN BROOKS back to the squad and joining him on the bench were JOE FURY and
CONNOR MOORE. JIM LEVENE played in the back row with RHYS JAMES and GRUFF ROBERTS
continuing in the centres with WILL MORRIS at full back.
There has been a lot of rain in the past week and the pitch played well although it was cutting up in
parts towards the end of the game, the wind was minimal. Wirral played towards the main road in
the first half.
No sooner had we started when BOT had to make a substitution. On 5 mins with play in the BOT
half, Wirral progressed and kick through on the ground from RHYS JAMES saw him win the race to
touch down some 15m from the posts and went onto convert the try.
On 10 minutes, BOT had a scrum 20m from the line and the power of the scrum was evident as they
pushed forward, after progress the ball was spun out to their centre Javiha Pohe (ex Leicester,
Carcassone (France Div.2) and Nottingham) who crossed to score. Their other centre had played at
Coventry, Moseley and Hinckley – obviously very experienced centres. The try was converted 7-7 (10
mins).
Two minutes later BEN BROOKS came on for TOM CROFT (hamstring injury).
We then saw much pressure from BOT as they used their forwards to progress up the field and
Wirral defended courageously and when possible were looking to move the ball down the line,
greatly helped by a 50m run from newcomer JACK BRUCE.
On 25m after much play in the Wirral 20m area, the pressure from BOT told when they forced their
way over the Wirral line close to the posts and was duly converted to give BOT the lead 7-14. The
pressure continued from BOT and one has to admire the tackling from Wirral against these bigger
forwards. On 33 mins, BOT had a try turned down by the referee as not clear the ball was touched
down but on 38mins BOT scored their third try close to the posts and again converted to give BOT a
7-21 lead at half time.
Wirral started the second half with more attacking and on 43 mins had a try disallowed as referee
gives notice as not touched down. Wirral now have more play in the 20m area and continued to
press for a try, whilst opportunity there for penalties scores not taken. On 53 mins CONNOR MOORE
on for JACK BRUCE.
55 mins Wirral have a penalty, quickly taken by RHYS JAMES who made progress and kick forward
rewarded with MARK WILLIAMS running on to score, again converted by RHYS. 14-21. This was
MARK’s 500 th point for Wirral. Again pressure came from BOT and pressure in the Wirral 20m area,
the forwards cross for a try but again declined (65 mins). Wirral substitute JOE FURY is on for DAN
CARROL and at the first maul he came through the maul to stop BOT. The referee then gives JOE a
yellow card, a bit difficult to believe given the number of high tackles awarded against BOT and no

action taken other then the award of penalties .On 74 mins , BOT score their 4th try and thus the try
bonus point, the conversion was missed 14-26. Further play saw BOT down in the Wirral half and a
penalty resulted in them taking a penalty which was converted to end the match at 14-29, in the
final minute.
A strong performance from Wirral against a much bigger side and we can expect that in the matches
ahead. Next week we are at home to Blackburn, kick off 2.15pm.
The good news was the second team winning with the last kick of the game from Ben Lewis to win
15-14: this was their win 5th of the season- the best for a number of seasons at this time of the year
and are now up to 7 th in this prestigious league.
Richard McNeil