The beat goes on…

There were a number of enforced changes this week with Josh Stead having to sit it out injured. James REEVE was available again and so came in at back row, Jason Green back at hooker and a 2xv debut to James Slater on the wing, with Mark Gidman playing in an unfamiliar role at 9. Burkes, Keane and Phelan on the bench.

Wirral started off playing towards the clubhouse but the first 30 minutes was very dour, abject performance from the boys. No real intensity or passion, and no phases of rugby leading to a scrappy game. All credit to Warrington who were continuously disrupting the breakdown and smashing the lads back. If we didn’t know we were in for a tough game at the start we did at this point. Wirral survived this period but were giving away needless penalties throughout and then back chatting to the ref, which is completely unacceptable.

The only highlight was on 20 minutes. A strong run by Sheldon on the wing led to play concentrated by the Warrington try line, a number of thrusts until the hero of the minute Jake Mckenna crashed over from 0.5 metres out. The conversion was coolly slotted home by Brooksy.

Wirral then proceeded to pay poorly resulting in a penalty in front of the posts for Warrington’s kicker to slot over. 26 mins gone 7-3
Warrington had all the ball and a strong break by their 6 lead to him two on one with Cornford. Corny was outsized and outmuscled but just threw his body, head and chin at the tackle, decking the 6 and himself at the same time. The 6 then threw the ball forward and the threat was gone. Unfortunately Corny was knocked out and had to leave the field. Due to this Warren went to 9 and Gidman to full back. Thank god. When Gidders told me he played 9 at junior level, he must have meant centre forward in football.

With 5 minutes of the first half to go. Wirral must have realised they were in a match and came to life. The lineout started to function and similar to the first try, a few thrusts back and forth and Timmy Hodson bundled over. Conversion kicked by Brooksy and 14 -3.
On 38 minutes Wirral scored again. The Warrington 10 tried to kick out of trouble only for Joe Paton to block the kick, then catch the rebound to set up a ruck. The ball was spun to Joe Adnams, aka Mesut Ozil, who in one motion took the ball in his path and then spun it to Josh Connolly to score his 2nd try in as many games. Unfortunately Joe Paton could not continue and has a suspected disclosed shoulder. Again the conversion was kicked 21-3. The half time whistle was blown.

The boys had saved themselves from a rollicking with the performance in the last 5 minutes and it was clear to see that they knew there was a game to win. At Half time and it was decided to bulk the front row with Burkes coming on for Mckenna .However, when Burkes name was shouted to get ready there was no reply except from young Josh Burkes who advised that his dad had ‘gone for a poo’. We will put it down to nerves but Gaz did manage to wipe in time to start the first half in all credit he was excellent in the loose - must have a felt a bit lighter.

On 48 minutes Wirral were awarded a penalty in front of the stick and Brooksy a slotted it over 24-3. Wirral had now started to play the rugby and the attacking prowess we have been more accustomed too this year. The second half was as good as the first half was bad.
The pack became completely dominant, we were playing to our system and kicking in the right areas. Jason Green and Liam Kean were everywhere. On around 58 minutes Joe ‘Ozil’ Adnams scored in the corner after a strong Wirral scrum and then he again became provider converting a 2 on 1 to Mike Warren. Both conversions missed but Wirral were 34 -3 with 20 minutes to go.

Warrington did then start to throw the ball wide and after 65 minutes their 9, who had been lively all day, danced through a fractured defence to find himself two on one against Warren. However, before he had time to feed his winger on his right, he was smashed into next week by Warren and the ball was came flying out. Unfortunately so did Warren‘s left shoulder, which had dislocated and stayed out. Warren had to leave the pitch after another excellent performance and he was taken to hospital in an ambulance, with his shoulder being put back in under anaesthetic. We wish him a speedy recovery. These injuries only seem to happen to the big hitters in the club.

Another reshuffle meant McKenna came on at prop and Reeves went to scrum half. What a change by the coach. Warrington managed to score under the sticks after a nice interplay off a scrum and reduced the arrears to 34-10. It wasn’t an orthodox scrum half approach but rather Reeve deciding he fancied a bit of ten pin bowling, only he was the ball and the Warrington boys being the pins as he bull dozed his way through on multiple occasions. One of these runs even lead to him going through 3 or 4 players, then stopping, pirouetting and then continuing his run to score by the sticks. That type of footwork would certainly score a ‘Ten from Len’. This approach paid off for Reeve who helped himself to a hat trick within the space of ten minutes, 2 of the conversions were kicked by Josh Connolly. That was about all the play and the whistle was blown for a hard fought but deserved victory. However, the victory came at a price with the likelihood of 3 of the team not being available for the coming weeks.

Well done James Slater on an excellent debut and also to Reeve and Ozil who were joint man of the match. Warren scooping tackle of the match. Next week we welcome Kirkby Lonsdale to the memorial ground and this will be another difficult match.
Both the first team and second team are at home so if you are not playing and want to get away from the other half, there is no better excuse, with the Halloween event to follow. Kick off at 3pm.

Donno