Back to Winning Ways

Following a pitch inspection the first team pitch was in great condition but up until kick off there was a strong mist covering the ground.
More enforced changes from the previous week saw a number of tactical and positional changes with Chris Tyson given the honour of being skipper.
Luckily as the match started the mist lifted and we were treated to perfect rugby conditions.
It was Blackburn who provided all the early play as there big powerful forwards drove well up the middle of the pitch and provided a solid platform for their quick outside backs to cause havoc to the Wirral defence. Despite numerous clean breaks we were fortunate that after all their phases they only came away with a penalty from in front of the sticks. 3 – 0 nil to Blackburn.
Wirral did not panic though and started to dictate the game with more astute kicking from JC and Brooksy pushing Blackburn further and further back in their own half. The pressure eventually told with Wirral having a lineout 10 metres out. The ball was excellently taken and then the pack took their time to work the ball to the back of the maul and drive over the line. Daniel FURLONG being accredited with the try. The conversion was missed and 5 – 3 to Wirral.
Wirral were now in full flow and the next score was soon to follow. The Burn’s fullback was charged down by Ben Cornford in the Burn 22 and Corny was on hand to show excellent footwork to kick and flop on the ball over the try line. Great conversion by Brooks from the touchline saw a 12 -5 lead.
The Burn 15 was then sin binned for an infringement in the red zone giving Wirral a numerical advantage which they made full advantage of through Jason GREEN burrowing under a number of tacklers to score from 5 metres out. The conversion was again kicked and half time the score was 19 -3 to Wirral.
The team talk was simple , carry on doing what you are doing.
The boys did that and were simply unstoppable in parts dominating most aspects of the game. The scrum was going forward, the lineout efficient and this led us to be camped in the Burn 22 for the first 20 minutes of the half.
A training ground move worked a treat as big JC delayed his pass to perfection to allow Chris Speed to cut a line from 20 metres out and then finish with aplomb and score under the sticks . The conversion was kicked making it 26 -3 .
Next up was Ben Cornford who used his smart rugby brain to take a quick tap penalty from 5 metres out when the Burn defence was napping and sneak in. Unfortunately for him I thought Josh Stead had scored it and so hooked Corny off straight after scoring and give the blonde bombshell Will Spriggs his first start of the year.
With around 15 minutes to go Burn started to run everything and looked very dangerous, running the ball from side to side trying to penetrate the Wirral defence. The Wirral defence was outstanding and there was a real hunger to get in the line and make the hits. The work rate was fantastic and more importantly the discipline around the breakdown was exemplary. We only gave 4 penalties all game.
Whenever Burn did break the line they were hit and then penalised for holding on as the boys were over them like jackals. Most noticably Jake Mckenna Liam Kean.
Blackburn did manage to score a deserved try in the corner. 31- 10.
Wirral finished the game with a bang from another well worked try via Ben Cornfords quick thinking when he went blind, drew the defender to pass to Steady who scampered over the line from 20 metres out. Conversion missed and full time whistle blown.
A terrific performance. Everyone worked for each other and tackled their hearts, knew the game plan and stuck to it.
Man of the match this week was Jason Green who was unstoppable in and around the breakdown. He carried metres at a time and his short stout frame to great effect. He also threw some pretty decent arrows and was at the heart of all the good play. However, I feel I must mention Jake McKenna for special praise. Jake was also carrying well and making yards and as previously stated was excellent at being first at the breakdown and getting over the ball. Chris Speed carried well and made metres for fun and the rest of the pack ably assisted.
Tackle of the match goes to Chris Speed.
I am aware Speedy is a big fan of the WWE and has posters of his idol Rakishi all over his bedroom walls, He even has the same haircut. Speedy produced a side suplex style tackle on one of the burn players when they broke the line that his idol would have been proud of it. I am not sure what he was doing so far out of the line though.
Next week we travel to Rossendale who are unbeaten and this will be a massive game. We are hoping to welcome a few players back from injury and so I am sure selection will be a difficult this week.
Well done guys

Donno