BackSat 12 Apr 2025
Manchester
1st XV
16
27
Tries: A Don, T Akehurst (2), R JamesConversions: R James (2)Penalties: R JamesYellow Carded: W Morris
Impressive Teamwork from Wirral Seals win at Manchester
Andrew Broadbent13 Apr - 11:49
This is the first round match of the Papa John’s Cup and we were drawn away to high scoring Manchester, who finished third in the league as opposed to Wirral’s fourth.
The ground was firm and a good crowd turned out from both sides as the match programme indicated that MCR were fielding their
best side.
Wirral had a number of changes to the team that played Kendal last week. RHYS JAMES returned to full back as we able to bring JIMMY ANNETTS back from injury at centre. In the pack, MATT RINGER came back at blindside with HARRY CROPPER-JOYCE at hooker. On the bench teams are allowed 7 substitutes and back on the bench were the re-emerging CHRIS SPEED along with LEON TAHANA, CONNOR MOORE, JOHN RALPH, JOE FURY and MARK GIDMAN along with a couple of senior colts.
Wirral were eager to improve on last week’s performance against Kendal recognising that player’s attention last week was perhaps on this game. Manchester played with the wind in the first half and the first couple of minutes showed strong tackling from Wirral however after 3 minutes, MCR were awarded a penalty in mid-field some 42m from the posts, which were converted to give the home side an early lead 3-0.
In the next series of play a MCR player came down on MATT RINGER and the latter had to leave the field with a collar bone injury and CONNOR MOORE came on in his place. Wirral were attacking and making good progress until a knock–on spoilt the break. Penalties came to Wirral and decision taken to kick for the touch line rather than an attempt at goal (aware of kicking into the wind). On 21m a dubious penalty to MCR enabled them to double their lead with a penalty from 40m, 6-0).
One has to say at this stage that Wirral defence was strong and keeping the marauding MCR backs under control. On 24m, Wirral had a line out some 10m short of the line, caught and Wirral moved forward and ended with ADAM DON touching down wide out, the conversion was missed , 6-5 (24 mins).
Play continued with both sides tackling well with few breaks being see, although on one occasion MCR turned down a penalty opportunity, instead kicked forward only for the ball to go dead giving Wirral the chance to attack again. On 38mins, MCR have the line out but it was stolen by Wirral, the ball was loose and TOM AKEHURST was on hand to pick up and beat a couple of players before touching down 15m from the corner flag, the conversion from RHYS JAMES hit the upright to leave Wirral leading 6-10.
At the start of the second half, Wirral made two changes, ALFIE KIMPTON and JOHN RALPH came on for CHRIS SPEED and HARRY HAWLEY. MCR started the half with greater intent and at the start of the half, JIMMY ANNETTS was injured when making a break, he recovered to continue for more minutes. Good tackling was now in place to keep out the pacy MCR team. In the 46 th minute a long kick downfield from JIMMY ANNETTS was followed down by ALFIE KIMPTON to put pressure on MCR the ball went loose and kicked forward by ALFIE, the ball bounced downfield and as the Wirral player advanced the ball then bounced high evading the hands of the Wirral player, a catch would have
brought a try. JIMMY ANNETTS now injured left the field to be replaced by CHRIS SPEED and HARRY HAWLEY on for CONNOR MOORE. On 56 mins Wirral increased the lead with a penalty from RHYS JAMES, 6-13. This was followed by a great mid-field run by HARRY HAWLEY to take the play downfield. From this situation the ball came out and TOM AKEHURST was on hand to pick up and race some 15m to touch down under the posts, again converted by RHYS JAMES, 6-20 (58 mins).
Back came MCR and only keen tackling kept out the home team and in the intensity of the pressure; a penalty was awarded to MCR and as a result WILL MORRIS was sin binned. With Wirral being under pressure a try was scored by MCR in the corner, the conversion was missed, 11-20 (63 mins).
Wirral were now under pressure and switched RHYS JAMES to centre leaving no full back whilst WILL MORRIS was off the field.
On 68 mins, Wirral in mid field spun the ball to the left and RHYS JAMES collected, he broke through the initial tackle and ran on to round the full back and score under the posts, a try he then converted to give Wirral a match winning margin of 16 points, 11-27. This was one of the best tries scored by Wirral this season.
Back came MCR putting more pressure on Wirral who continued to hold out even after the clock showed 80 mins are up. MCR were back in the Wirral 20m area and Wirral held them out. HARRY CROPPER-JOYCE was sin binned in the 81st minute. Play continued and eventually MCR crossed for a try and the conversion was missed, the referee then called for time, 16-27.
In the collection of players after the game on the pitch, ALFIE KIMPTON was made man of the match but in the club house, MANCHESTER selected ROB PEARL as Wirral’s man of the match for his tremendous tackling stint.
The team bus arrived back at Clatterbridge at 7.45pm in time for the club’s Annual Dinner which was enjoyed by all especially given the result in the afternoon.
On Good Friday, the Cheshire Cup Final will be played when Wirral take on Stockport at Chester Rugby Club kick off at 3.00pm
In the next round of the Papa John’s, Wirral are away to Huddersfield on 26th April followed by a home match against them on 3rd May. The winners are then in the semi- final with a final being played at Twickenham.
best side.
Wirral had a number of changes to the team that played Kendal last week. RHYS JAMES returned to full back as we able to bring JIMMY ANNETTS back from injury at centre. In the pack, MATT RINGER came back at blindside with HARRY CROPPER-JOYCE at hooker. On the bench teams are allowed 7 substitutes and back on the bench were the re-emerging CHRIS SPEED along with LEON TAHANA, CONNOR MOORE, JOHN RALPH, JOE FURY and MARK GIDMAN along with a couple of senior colts.
Wirral were eager to improve on last week’s performance against Kendal recognising that player’s attention last week was perhaps on this game. Manchester played with the wind in the first half and the first couple of minutes showed strong tackling from Wirral however after 3 minutes, MCR were awarded a penalty in mid-field some 42m from the posts, which were converted to give the home side an early lead 3-0.
In the next series of play a MCR player came down on MATT RINGER and the latter had to leave the field with a collar bone injury and CONNOR MOORE came on in his place. Wirral were attacking and making good progress until a knock–on spoilt the break. Penalties came to Wirral and decision taken to kick for the touch line rather than an attempt at goal (aware of kicking into the wind). On 21m a dubious penalty to MCR enabled them to double their lead with a penalty from 40m, 6-0).
One has to say at this stage that Wirral defence was strong and keeping the marauding MCR backs under control. On 24m, Wirral had a line out some 10m short of the line, caught and Wirral moved forward and ended with ADAM DON touching down wide out, the conversion was missed , 6-5 (24 mins).
Play continued with both sides tackling well with few breaks being see, although on one occasion MCR turned down a penalty opportunity, instead kicked forward only for the ball to go dead giving Wirral the chance to attack again. On 38mins, MCR have the line out but it was stolen by Wirral, the ball was loose and TOM AKEHURST was on hand to pick up and beat a couple of players before touching down 15m from the corner flag, the conversion from RHYS JAMES hit the upright to leave Wirral leading 6-10.
At the start of the second half, Wirral made two changes, ALFIE KIMPTON and JOHN RALPH came on for CHRIS SPEED and HARRY HAWLEY. MCR started the half with greater intent and at the start of the half, JIMMY ANNETTS was injured when making a break, he recovered to continue for more minutes. Good tackling was now in place to keep out the pacy MCR team. In the 46 th minute a long kick downfield from JIMMY ANNETTS was followed down by ALFIE KIMPTON to put pressure on MCR the ball went loose and kicked forward by ALFIE, the ball bounced downfield and as the Wirral player advanced the ball then bounced high evading the hands of the Wirral player, a catch would have
brought a try. JIMMY ANNETTS now injured left the field to be replaced by CHRIS SPEED and HARRY HAWLEY on for CONNOR MOORE. On 56 mins Wirral increased the lead with a penalty from RHYS JAMES, 6-13. This was followed by a great mid-field run by HARRY HAWLEY to take the play downfield. From this situation the ball came out and TOM AKEHURST was on hand to pick up and race some 15m to touch down under the posts, again converted by RHYS JAMES, 6-20 (58 mins).
Back came MCR and only keen tackling kept out the home team and in the intensity of the pressure; a penalty was awarded to MCR and as a result WILL MORRIS was sin binned. With Wirral being under pressure a try was scored by MCR in the corner, the conversion was missed, 11-20 (63 mins).
Wirral were now under pressure and switched RHYS JAMES to centre leaving no full back whilst WILL MORRIS was off the field.
On 68 mins, Wirral in mid field spun the ball to the left and RHYS JAMES collected, he broke through the initial tackle and ran on to round the full back and score under the posts, a try he then converted to give Wirral a match winning margin of 16 points, 11-27. This was one of the best tries scored by Wirral this season.
Back came MCR putting more pressure on Wirral who continued to hold out even after the clock showed 80 mins are up. MCR were back in the Wirral 20m area and Wirral held them out. HARRY CROPPER-JOYCE was sin binned in the 81st minute. Play continued and eventually MCR crossed for a try and the conversion was missed, the referee then called for time, 16-27.
In the collection of players after the game on the pitch, ALFIE KIMPTON was made man of the match but in the club house, MANCHESTER selected ROB PEARL as Wirral’s man of the match for his tremendous tackling stint.
The team bus arrived back at Clatterbridge at 7.45pm in time for the club’s Annual Dinner which was enjoyed by all especially given the result in the afternoon.
On Good Friday, the Cheshire Cup Final will be played when Wirral take on Stockport at Chester Rugby Club kick off at 3.00pm
In the next round of the Papa John’s, Wirral are away to Huddersfield on 26th April followed by a home match against them on 3rd May. The winners are then in the semi- final with a final being played at Twickenham.
Further reading