After last week’s torrential weather it was good to see the Memorial Ground in ideal condition with
the sun shining and a light wind blowing towards the clubhouse. This was Vice Presidents day and it
was good to see a larger crowd than normal down watching.
There was some changes to the side with HARRY HAWLEY out injured so JAMES REEVE came into the
second row, so GARETH RICHARDS moved into the back row in place of JAMES. JACOB MITCHELL
started in the centre; JIM LEVENE came back into the replacement squad.
It is a number of years (7) since we have played VOL who have won promotion from the league
below after defeating Manchester in the play-off match.
Wirral played towards the main road in the first half and the game started with Wirral looking to
attack strongly and this pressure resulted in JAMES REEVE crossing close to the posts and gave RHYS
JAMES his first conversion, 7-0 (6 minutes). The next attack saw Wirral making progress before a
knock on stalled progress.
On 15 minutes continuous pressure left Wirral short but control enabled TOM AKEHURST to go blind
and scramble over in the left corner, the conversion was missed, 12-0.
VOL had had little of the ball to date but they were able to use their heavier forwards to push
forward from line outs and scrums close to the Wirral line and from a 5m line out were able to cross
wide out but well supported to leave the score at 12-7 (22 mins). Wirral quickly replied as 5 minutes
later and a build up of pressure on the VOL line led to JAMES REEVE scoring his second try, again
converted to leave the score at 19-7.
A further try was scored by VOL in the period up to half time again from a 10m line out to score wide
out, the try was not converted, 19-12. In the period before half time Wirral made a change with JIM
LEVENE coming on for GARETH RICHARDS.
The second half started with Wirral again attacking but a smart move between players resulted in a
knock-on with a chance of another score. The next try came from a VOL mistake, a kick into the right
hand side saw the away side miss the kick, the ball bounced awkwardly and was caught by WILL
MORRIS who made towards the line only to be tackled but managed to get his pass away for JACOB
MITCHELL to round off under the posts, his first try back on his second debut, this was converted by
RHYS JAMES to extend the Wirral lead to 26-12 – this was the try bonus point.
At this point Wirral made a number of changes with ADAM DON, HARRY CROPPER- JOYCE, BEN
BROOKS and WILL MORRIS being replaced by JOE FURY, CONNOR MOORE, ZANE PRETORIUS and
JAKE DICKINSON respectively.
Following these changes Wirral continued in full attacking mood and after a number of passes a
short pass enabled JOHNNY ROBERTS to cross easily for his first try for the club in the corner, the
conversion just failed, 31-12. Expansionist play continued with a strong run by HAYDEN LONG. VOL
tried to sustain the Wirral pressure as the home team pushed back VOL even when they had the ball.
When the ball came back to Wirral it went through many hands before JACOB MITCHELL had a stroll
in to score his second try, again converted, 38-12.
A further attack and a kick forward forced VOL to touch down, the ball kicked out to Wirral who set
up another attack through various pair of hands before MATT RINGER put in HAYDEN LONG to score
under the posts, 45-12 (70 mins). HAYDEN LONG came off and was replaced by GARETH RICHARDS.

The final try for Wirral came when further passing enabled TOM AKEHURST to cross for his second
try, again converted to give RHYS JAMES his 6th conversion-52-12. In the last minute of match, VOL
scored their third try under the posts, again from a push over which was down to their heavier pack,
to leave the score 52-19.
Wirral continue to have the best defence in the league and next week they are away at Rochdale. It
was pleasing to note that both the 2 nd and 3 rd teams won away from home, the seconds 34-26 at
Sandbach (now 4 th in the table) and the 3rds 32-27 away to Ormskirk 2nds, leaves them 3 rd in the
table.