BackSat 01 Feb 2020 ·  North Premier
1st XVMorpeth
Tries: C Harvey, C Crowley, M Loon (2), P Lewis, J Annetts, S Broadbent, H Long Conversions: J Annetts (7)
54
11
Wirral Blow Morpeth Away in Second Half
Andrew Broadbent2 Feb 2020 - 23:19
Wirral score a crucial win against fellow relegation strugglers.
For the must win game against fellow relegation strugglers Morpeth there were again a number of changes to the team that played against Blaydon. JACK YARKER returned to the front row in place of WILL HIRSTWOOD, who had made a satisfactory debut at Blaydon. The main changes were in the backs with CHRIS CROWLEY and CRAIG HARVEY being the half-back partnership with the centres being SAM BROADBENT and JOE PROBERT, JOSH CONNOLLY returned to the wing with JAMES ANNETTS at full back. The subs were MIKE WARREN, PAUL LEWIS (back after several weeks due to family illness) and JOSH STEAD.
On the way to the game, 3 players were first on the scene at a car crash in Wallasey. One of the drivers had had a heart attack so one of the players, Dr JOSH STEAD; a recently qualified doctor was on hand to apply CPR until the paramedics arrived by which time he was breathing. We trust the injured driver made a full recovery.
The pitch has been drying out this week and was in excellent condition. The wind was strong blowing down the field towards the clubhouse. Wirral played against the wind in the first half. In the first 7 minutes of the game Morpeth had all the possession and territory and were rewarded with 2 penalties from 40m, which were converted by Jake McKay to give the away side a 0-6 lead. In the 8th minute when Wirral first had possession they made ground down the field until they had pressure in the away 20m area and a drive took play to 5m out, the ball was spun to the blindside where CRAIG HARVEY crossed in the corner touching down20m from the posts. The conversion was made by JAMES ANNETTS, who went onto convert all the next 7 attempts- some of which were from the touchline. 5-6 (12 minutes).
Wirral were looking to play an open game taking penalties quickly when possible and making good ground with ball in hand. 21 minutes, MIKE WARREN on for ROB PEARL. Morpeth kicked long when possible and one particular kick should have been cleared but Wirral looked to play it of the 20m area, ended up losing the ball and a penalty gave Morpeth a 5m line out. A quick throw to one of the front row enabled Morpeth to score in the corner, the try was not converted, 5-11 (28 minutes) the try had been scored when Morpeth had been down to 14 with Josh Phillips receiving a yellow card. 28 minutes, ROB PEARL was back on for MIKE WARREN.
Wirral came more into the game and playing with increasing authority, in the 35th minute Wirral took the lead when CHRIS CROWLEY crossed and the conversion made the score 12-11. In the 39th minute Wirral increased their lead when CRAIG HARVEY set up MATT LOON to crash through the Morpeth defence to score, 19-11 at half time. This was a good performance against the strong wind.
At the start of the second half, PAUL LEWIS came on for RYAN STEAD. Morpeth failed to kick the ball 10m and from the resulting scrum, ROB PEARL broke and took play into the Morpeth 20m but the home side could not capitalise on this break. For the first 15 minutes of the half, Morpeth had territory and were putting pressure on the Wirral line and at one stage were judged to be held up over the line. A number of scrums were formed with Morpeth put in but Wirral held out until they eventually cleared. Wirral were again looking to play out of trouble instead of kicking down field. On 52 mins, MIKE WARREN came on for STUART GATTON with MATT RINGER going to hooker.
A good run by JAMES ANNETTS brought play into the Morpeth 20m area, a penalty was awarded to the home side in front of the posts, which was declined and took a 10m line out. The ball was caught and trundled towards the line, Wirral were stopped but HAYDEN LONG picked up to feed PAUL LEWIS, who dived in at the corner to Give Wirral their try bonus point. 26-11 (63 minutes). This was the catalyst for Wirral to open up the game and a quickly taken penalty by CHRIS CROWLEY released CRAIG who passed on to JAMES ANNETTS and his searing pace cut through the MORPETH defence to score wide out, 33-11 (65 mins). JOSH STEAD came on for CRAIG with CHRIS CROWLEY moving to fly half. The 70th minute saw a contender for try of the season, as the ball passed through numerous pairs of hands; they weren’t all easy takes, which resulted in SAM BROADBENT crossing in the opposite corner to where the move had started some 50m downfield. STUART GRATTON came on for MATT RINGER.
The 7th try followed a good run by MATT LOON into the Morpeth 20m area, the ball was spun left and PAUL LEWIS set up HAYDEN LONG to take the ball at full speed and crash over close to the posts, 47-11 (75 minutes). In the final minute of the game, MATT LOON crossed for his second try of the afternoon to give Wirral a deserved win.
This win and taking into account other results, still leaves Wirral third from the bottom, but have the same number of points as the two teams directly above them, who have won one more game than Wirral, we are also one point behind Carlisle who are in 9th. Next week Wirral are away at bottom placed ILKLEY so it is imperative that Wirral come away with the points.
On the way to the game, 3 players were first on the scene at a car crash in Wallasey. One of the drivers had had a heart attack so one of the players, Dr JOSH STEAD; a recently qualified doctor was on hand to apply CPR until the paramedics arrived by which time he was breathing. We trust the injured driver made a full recovery.
The pitch has been drying out this week and was in excellent condition. The wind was strong blowing down the field towards the clubhouse. Wirral played against the wind in the first half. In the first 7 minutes of the game Morpeth had all the possession and territory and were rewarded with 2 penalties from 40m, which were converted by Jake McKay to give the away side a 0-6 lead. In the 8th minute when Wirral first had possession they made ground down the field until they had pressure in the away 20m area and a drive took play to 5m out, the ball was spun to the blindside where CRAIG HARVEY crossed in the corner touching down20m from the posts. The conversion was made by JAMES ANNETTS, who went onto convert all the next 7 attempts- some of which were from the touchline. 5-6 (12 minutes).
Wirral were looking to play an open game taking penalties quickly when possible and making good ground with ball in hand. 21 minutes, MIKE WARREN on for ROB PEARL. Morpeth kicked long when possible and one particular kick should have been cleared but Wirral looked to play it of the 20m area, ended up losing the ball and a penalty gave Morpeth a 5m line out. A quick throw to one of the front row enabled Morpeth to score in the corner, the try was not converted, 5-11 (28 minutes) the try had been scored when Morpeth had been down to 14 with Josh Phillips receiving a yellow card. 28 minutes, ROB PEARL was back on for MIKE WARREN.
Wirral came more into the game and playing with increasing authority, in the 35th minute Wirral took the lead when CHRIS CROWLEY crossed and the conversion made the score 12-11. In the 39th minute Wirral increased their lead when CRAIG HARVEY set up MATT LOON to crash through the Morpeth defence to score, 19-11 at half time. This was a good performance against the strong wind.
At the start of the second half, PAUL LEWIS came on for RYAN STEAD. Morpeth failed to kick the ball 10m and from the resulting scrum, ROB PEARL broke and took play into the Morpeth 20m but the home side could not capitalise on this break. For the first 15 minutes of the half, Morpeth had territory and were putting pressure on the Wirral line and at one stage were judged to be held up over the line. A number of scrums were formed with Morpeth put in but Wirral held out until they eventually cleared. Wirral were again looking to play out of trouble instead of kicking down field. On 52 mins, MIKE WARREN came on for STUART GATTON with MATT RINGER going to hooker.
A good run by JAMES ANNETTS brought play into the Morpeth 20m area, a penalty was awarded to the home side in front of the posts, which was declined and took a 10m line out. The ball was caught and trundled towards the line, Wirral were stopped but HAYDEN LONG picked up to feed PAUL LEWIS, who dived in at the corner to Give Wirral their try bonus point. 26-11 (63 minutes). This was the catalyst for Wirral to open up the game and a quickly taken penalty by CHRIS CROWLEY released CRAIG who passed on to JAMES ANNETTS and his searing pace cut through the MORPETH defence to score wide out, 33-11 (65 mins). JOSH STEAD came on for CRAIG with CHRIS CROWLEY moving to fly half. The 70th minute saw a contender for try of the season, as the ball passed through numerous pairs of hands; they weren’t all easy takes, which resulted in SAM BROADBENT crossing in the opposite corner to where the move had started some 50m downfield. STUART GRATTON came on for MATT RINGER.
The 7th try followed a good run by MATT LOON into the Morpeth 20m area, the ball was spun left and PAUL LEWIS set up HAYDEN LONG to take the ball at full speed and crash over close to the posts, 47-11 (75 minutes). In the final minute of the game, MATT LOON crossed for his second try of the afternoon to give Wirral a deserved win.
This win and taking into account other results, still leaves Wirral third from the bottom, but have the same number of points as the two teams directly above them, who have won one more game than Wirral, we are also one point behind Carlisle who are in 9th. Next week Wirral are away at bottom placed ILKLEY so it is imperative that Wirral come away with the points.
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