For the first home game of the season against Blackburn, the match had to be played on Ocean Field as the Wirral Cricket first XI played their final game of the season as they needed to win to gain promotion- which they achieved with a 7 wicket win.
There was a couple of changes to last week’s game as BEN BROOKS was not available so MARK WILLIAMS moved to the wing with CHRIS SPEED came into the centre. ROB PEARL was on the subs bench in place of DAVE DONEO.
In the first half Wirral played towards the clubhouse and against the breeze. From the kick off, Wirral looked dangerous with ball in hand and could have scored in the opening minute, having created an overlap, the final pass was judged forward. The ball was retained in the Blackburn 20m area and after a number of plays, prop MIKE BYRNE crossed over from 10m out for his first try for the club and converted by JAMES ANNETTs , 7-0 (4m).
With the wind in their favour, Blackburn had a couple of penalties which took play into the Wirral 20m and only stout defending kept the away side out. On 21 mins swift passing among a number of players saw TOM COLE scoring in the corner- this was his first try for the club, the conversion just failed 12-0. A minute later JAMES ANNETTS made a break and was just caught when almost clear, with the same player converting a penalty on 22 mins- 15-0. Rob PEARL came on for JAMES REEVE.
The Blackburn scrum was proving to be dominant being much heavier than the Wirral pack but the home defence was holding firm. On 34 mins, Wirral were forced into changes when CHRIS SPEED injured his heel, TOM AKEHURST came on to play scrum half, with CHRIS CROWLEY moving to full back and JAMES ANNETTS to centre. A further penalty by JAMES ANNETTS increased their lead to 18-0 (35 mins) and this was the score at half time.
Just after half time, MATT RINGER was injured and was replaced by STUART GRATTON and on 43 mins Wirral extended their lead to 21-0 with a further ANNETTS penalty. There was a speedy response from Blackburn with a quickly taken penalty, which resulted in Jamie Brookes scoring out wide, not converted- 21-5 (45 mins). On 50 mins JAMES REEVE came on for NICK HEARN and within a minute had scored from a couple of metres out after Wirral had mounted pressure on the Blackburn line. The try was converted 28-5 (51 mins).
This score seemed to be the impetus that Blackburn needed and they played with greater momentum. A Blackburn scrum was thwarted by the Wirral defence but on 59 mins good passing by the away side resulted in winger, Jake Foster scoring wide out but well converted by Paddy Gaffey, 28-12 (60 mins). On 69 mins, came the try of the game when TOM COLE collected the ball in their own half and made good progress downfield before being tackled but managed to get the ball away to ROB PEARL, the ball was spun along the line with an overlap created for CHRIS CROWLEY to cross on the opposite wing, again converted by JAMES ANNETTS. 35-12, giving Wirral a try scoring bonus point.
In the final 10 minutes of the game, Blackburn put much pressure on WIRRAL with full back Paddy Gaffey scoring in the corner but not able to convert his own try. CRAIG HARVEY went off with an injured arm/wrist and CHRIS SPEED came back on. 35-17. In the final minute Blackburn were again attacking, DAN HARVEY went for an interception in the home 20m area but it was knocked on, the referee awarded Blackburn a penalty try giving them their try bonus point and Dan receiving a yellow card, leaving the score at 35-24.
A welcome win for Wirral after last week’s trip to Billingham and the difference between the sides was the kicking of JAMES ANNETTS with 3 penalties making 15 points in all. Next week, Wirral are away at Lymm.