Wirral Win 2nd Pool Match in Papa Johns Plate Competition

This was the second match in the Papa John’s competition and we were away at Derby, having only
played them once previously (some years ago) in a pre season friendly. Unfortunately we could not
play on the 3G pitch as it had been damaged following serious flooding (several feet) from two local
rivers. As such we played on an adjacent grass pitch where the team would train and play.
There were changes to last week’s team as MARK WILLIAMS was not available through work which
enabled JIMMY ANNETTS to start at centre. In the forwards LEON TAHANA started his first game at
prop for Wirral allowing JOE ADNAMS to line up in the second row with LEWIS HAYES. HAYDEN
LONG played in the No8 position. The substitutes were JOE FURY, DAN CAROLL, MATT McLAREN,
SAM VICKERS, CHRIS DERMODY, WILL MORRIS and GEORGE BURROWS. Nineteen of the Twenty Two
players had come through the M & J Player Pathway- a tremendous achievement for the Wirral Club.
The play started with mid field activity but Derby on their first visit to the Wirral 20 m area resulted
in the Derby winger running in to score in the corner, the try was not converted, 5-0 (8mins). Wirral
retaliated two minutes later when a break by JIMMY ANNETTS was stopped 10m from the line, quick
play and out to captain, CHRIS CROWLEY who raced through to score wide out, the try was not
converted by BEN BROOKS (JIMMY was resting his kicking leg), 5-5- 10 mins. The next try came after
16 mins when TOM AKEHURST kicked forward towards the touch line, it was not cleared and CHRIS
CROWLEY was there again to pick up a bouncing ball to run over and touch down behind the posts,
duly converted by BEN BROOKS, 5-12 (16 mins).
With the pitch being harder than we have had recently, scrum half TOM AKEHURST was utilising play
by long grubber kicks to touch and this resulted in a 50-22 situation, which TOM AKEHURST took the
line out quickly to DAN HARVEY who had the easiest task of running the 15m to score under the
posts, duly converted by BEN BROOKS, 5-19 (22 mins). On 24 mins MATT RINGER was sin binned.
With a reduced number of forwards in the pack, Derby scored a try with a push over try, close to the
posts, duly converted, 12-19- 28 minutes.
Another long kick to touch following a penalty gave Wirral a 10m line out, which was caught by
HAYDEN LONG and the forwards took control with LEWIS HAYES touching down wide out, the
conversion was not made from the touchline, 12-24. Importantly it was the try bonus point.
MATT RINGER did not return to the field having had an eye injury and was replaced by DAN CAROLL.
On the 38 th minute, Wirral increased their lead to 12-27 with a penalty from 25m by DAN HARVEY. In
the minutes before half time: Derby with much pressure and good passing resulting in them scoring
close to the posts, duly converted to leave the score at half time 19-27.
The early pressure in the second half came from Derby but Wirral held out. After 43 minutes, ADAM
DON was replaced by SAM VICKERS with JOE ADNAMS removing back to prop. On 46 minutes, a
CHRIS CROWLEY break was passed onto DAN HARVEY who made progress down the wing and
passed inside to RHYS JAMES who scored close to the posts, however the conversion was missed,
19-32 (46 minutes). On 60 mins, Derby had a try disallowed for crossing. At this stage JIMMY
ANNETTS comes off to protect his leg for next week and WILL MORRIS takes to the field. On 63
minutes more pressure comes from Wirral as they build up pressure on the Derby line, eventually
HAYDEN LONG from a couple of metres out, touches down close to the posts but the conversion was
missed. 19-37 (65 mins). CHRIS DERMODY and GEORGE BURROWS came on for JOSH STEAD and
DAN HARVEY, both having put in sterling circumstances.
On 71 minutes, Derby through their forwards scored another try duly converted, 26-37 68 minutes.

A further penalty by BEN BROOKS took Wirral to two full scores ahead, 26-40 74 minutes. There was
a substantial amount of extra time played due to injuries to various players; finally the match
finished after 48 minutes in this half and it was a relief to hear the closing whistle as Derby put
pressure on Wirral until the final whistle. In the final minutes of the game, JOE FURY and MATT
McLAREN were brought into the game in place of DAN CAROLL and JOE ADNAMS.
Coach CRAIG HARVEY emphasised to all the players this was a fine performance away from home
against a Derby side, who wanted to get over the difficult match they had had at Burton the previous
Saturday. The pleasing aspect was the number of young players (8) who were on the field at the end
of the game. Next week we play Burton at the Memorial Ground in the final match with the winners
going through to the semi final: should Wirral win then they will have another home game the
following week.
Thanks must go to Derby Rugby Club for their hospitality and the manner in which they looked after
the Wirral team and supporters throughout the game.
The players and officials were to spend the night in Derby before leaving on Sunday to call in at
Manchester to watch the Senior Colts in the Cheshire final against Stockport- best of luck to the
Colts in their endeavours.