This was a game played in front of a large crowd including the past players (following their annual luncheon) that Wirral lost having been 21-7 ahead at half time. Wirral played towards the clubhouse in the first half which is contrary as to how they like to play, as they welcome playing towards the “kop”in the second half. There was a slight wind blowing down the pitch.
For Wirral, MATT RINGER was back at hooker and CONNOR MOORE rejoined the back row. In the backs, BEN BROOKS returned to the centre and the substitutes were JOHN RALPH, HARRY CROPPER-JOYCE and TOM COLE (returning from injury).
In the opening minutes, Leek played the possession game but were not able to make progress with play in the middle of the pitch.
On 15 minutes a good run by WILL MORRIS was halted a few metres short of the line but we now saw pressure being exerted by Wirral. On 17 minutes, CONNOR MOORE suffered a leg injury and was replaced by HARRY CROPPER-JOYCE. Wirral were able to maintain play in the Leek half but after a number of efforts were not able to cross over the try line due to stern tackling by Leek.
On 19 minutes another penalty to Wirral gave them a 5m line out, won by Wirral and edged forward before MATT RINGER touched down some 15m from the corner flag but was well converted by RHYS JAMES, 7-0.
This period of play was followed by a penalty in front of the posts but decision taken to go for another 10m line out, again Wirral pushed forward only to be judged as not having touched down. Continuous pressure from Wirral saw the maul hauled down by the opposition which led to a Leek player being sin-binned. On 34 minutes another 5m line out again won by Wirral led to MATT RINGER going over for his second try (6th of the season) again converted by RHYS JAMES to give Wirral a 14-0 lead.
On 36 minutes, Leek took play into the Wirral 20m area for the first time with a long kick however Wirral did not clear to touch giving Leek the opportunity to use the play through their forwards to scamper over for a try close to the posts, duly converted to leave the score at 14-7. JOHN RALPH comes on for DAN CARROL.
On the stroke of half time, play was again in the Leek half with Wirral moving forward, HARRY HAWLEY collected the ball and despite comments pass right to give WILL MORRIS a chance of taking play down towards the whitewash, HARRY went left and cut through the Leek defence and swerving past the full-back to score a try close to the posts, duly converted by RHYS- 21-7. This was the end of the first half.
The second half started with Wirral again on the attack following another HARRY HAWLEY run and on to RHYS JAMES before being tackled, from this play, ZANE PRETORIUS put in a kick down the open side but was cleared to touch by LEEK. The away side were coming more into the game until Leek broke through in the centres and good passing enabled the player to eventually scramble over under the posts, duly converted to reduce the Wirral lead to 21-14 (57 minutes). TOM COLE came on in the centres with ALFIE KIMPTON going off with a hamstring injury.
Wirral had play in their own half and were awarded a penalty, taken in mid field with a high kick down the ground some 40m, collected by a Leek player who set off on a run which ended with him running through the Wirral team to score close to the corner flag, the conversion was not made, 21-19 (63 minutes). The pressure was now on Wirral.
Back came Leek, awarded a penalty in front of the posts, they declined this going for another try (a bonus try point they sought) via the line outs. Wirral held them out after several attempts by Leek, until the away side went blind giving the winger a short run to the line to score, the conversion was not made but Leek had the try bonus point and the lead 21-26.
JOHN RALPH came off and DAN CARROL was back on, also TOM CROFT went off injured so Wirral had to move HARRY CROPPER –JOYCE to the wing and Wirral played with 3 props.
Pressure again on Wirral even more as they pressed forward with a great run from MARK WILLIAMS which took play deep into the Leek half. Wirral given another penalty and went for a 5m line out, even though time was up they could play on and despite a number of attempts at the Leek line they could not get a touchdown even though the referee declined a try (not seen as down), came back for another penalty, again Wirral tried valiantly put could not get that vital try until a knock-on over the line ended the game 5 minutes later.
Unfortunate that Wirral lost this game but comment made by a Leek official and an experienced Wirral onlooker: commented that one of the Leek tries was scored via a knock –on. I also spoke to a Wirral forward who commented on two occasions that Wirral had touched down over the line but the referee was unfortunately unsighted.
The next first team game is away at MANCHESTER on the 14th February.