This was Long Eaton’s (LE) first visit to the Memorial Ground and ended with both sides scoring 6 tries but the conversions made by RHYS JAMES made the final difference between the sides in a game which flowed from one end of the Memorial Ground to the other.
Wirral made a number of enforced changes to the side with HAYDEN LONG (broken hand bone) and ADAM DON both injured following the Anselmians game. It was good to see that MARK WILLIAMS back at fly half following an injury scare after the last game. In the centres we were able to welcome back ALFIE KIMPTON and GRUFF ROBERTS. In view of the injuries the big surprise was the return to the squad of prop JOE ADNAMS after 6 months of “retirement”. The subs were JOE, JACK BRUCE and DAN HARVEY.
With LE lying one place below Wirral in the league at 11th it was an important match for both sides as they try to avoid being involved in the relegation battle, thus 5 points to either side was going to be important.
The pitch was in ideal condition for this match with no wind apparent and Wirral were playing the first half towards the main road. From the kick off LE played the ball down to the Wirral 20m area and pressure from them enabled the left winger to score in the corner, not converted, 0-5 (3mins). 4 minutes later, LE more than doubled their lead with another try down the left wing, scoring closer to the posts and duly converted, and 0-12.
Wirral could not get into the game and LE handled well and controlled the way forward with Wirral having little possession during this period and on 15 minutes LE had a scrum 20m out and good play by the LE backs saw them cross for their 3rd try which was not converted, 0-17. This was after good tackling by Wirral had prevented an earlier try attempts. DAN CARROL was replaced by JOE ADNAMS.
On 19 minutes, Wirral finally played in the LE 20m area and had pressure on the LE line only to lose the ball to a knock- on. At last Wirral had the territory but could not break through the LE defence. Wirral were tackling well to keep LE down in the 20m area, pressure from Wirral saw the ball pass to the right and appeared to have scored in the corner, but was turned down as touch was given. Wirral came back for the penalty scrum some 10m out and from this pressure, Wirral scored through JOE ADNAMS, 12m right of the posts, converted by RHYS JAMES to reduce the lead to 7-17 (26 mins).
From the kick off, Wirral looked to kick downfield only for the kick to be charged down giving LE a scrum 10m out from which LE scored their 4th try (Bonus point) and was duly converted, 7-24 (28mins). A further break by LE was brought back for a forward pass when another try for LE was threatened- 31 minutes.
At last Wirral made progress downfield and after pressure in the LE 20m area, JIM LEVENE crossed over the whitewash close to the posts, duly converted by RHYS JAMES to reduce the LE lead to 14-24- 35 minutes. In the period up to half-time, LE continued to press and only knock-ons by LE prevented them from scoring again.
I know that there was serious discussion at half time from coach, CRAIG HARVEY as to how to manage the game better from this difficult situation. The early pressure came from Wirral and they were attacking when a short kick was put through, the bounce enabled LE to pick up and attack and score from 70m, the try was not converted 14-29 (45mins). Two more changes for Wirral with DAN HARVEY and JAMES REEVES on for HARRY HAWLEY and JOHNSON CHANDIGERE (51 minutes). Wirral took play down to the LE 20m area.. A penalty for Wirral was taken 25m by way of scrum and play from MARK WILLIAMS who released a pass to ALFIE KIMPTON giving him a clear 25m to race through and score close to the posts, enabling RHYS JAMES to convert, 21-29 (53 mins).
This was followed by a good spell by Wirral and another attack saw the home side lose the ball 5m from the LE line. On 60mins, Wirral were awarded a penalty 30m in front of the posts, the penalty option was not taken as Wirral continued to press and from the line out, Wirral progressed towards the line and in the process of scoring an offence was committed by LE, the player was sin binned but no penalty try awarded. From this position the scrum was taken and resulted in MATT RINGER touching down 15 m from the corner flag, again converted by RHYS JAMES, 28-29 (63 mins).
Wirral now had the impetus to win this game and were making progress up-field with good runs by players. A break by GRUFF ROBERTS, managed to pass to ZANE PRETORIUS who, on being tackled, managed to release a loose pass to winger WILL MORRIS who kicked the pass forward, collected and scored a few metres from the corner flag, to give WIRRAL the lead at 33-29, unfortunately RHYS JAMES just missed the conversion – 68 minutes.
On 69 minutes, MARK WILLIAMS (injured) was replaced by TOM COLE with a change in the backs leaving RHYS JAMES at fly half. The disruption to the team gave LE the incentive to push forward and they scored 12m from the corner flag. With the LE kicker enjoying a conversation with home supporters, the ball was struck but failed: nevertheless LE was now in the lead 33-34 (73 mins).
Pressure from Wirral was immediate as they looked to move forward, this resulted in both teams dropping the ball. On 76 minutes the ball came out to Wirral 60m out and onto RHYS JAMES who broke through two/three tackles to race through into open space and score under the posts which he duly converted to give Wirral a lead 40-34.
LE thought they could still win as they pressed forward only to lose the ball and the final whistle went and a relieved Wirral had picked up 5 points whilst LE collected 2 points.
As a result of the games this weekend, Wirral move up to 9th and if they win their last two games they would move out of the relegation places although they will have their work cut out next week away at BURTON.
It was good to see the second team defeat Macclesfield 2nds, 44-22 to move up to 5th in their league- a great performance.
Richard McNeil