This week’s game saw Wirral away again against the second of the Wirral teams in this league at
Birkenhead Park (BP) and this also proved as tense as the Anselmians game. The game against BP
was also the semi-final of the Cheshire Cup and thus a double header. There was much to play for as
BP were chasing their first win of the season in front of a large crowd with many Wirral supporters
there in full voice.
The Wirral team were missing a number of first teamers through injury and work commitments. The
forwards were as played against Anselmians but in the backs, RHYS JAMES and MARK WILLIAMS
changed positions, the centres were DAN HARVEY and TOM COLE. The subs were DAN CARROL, the
return of GEORGE BURROWS to first team squad after injury and making his debut HARRY HAWLEY
(ex WGS and has played at junior level for the club).
The match started with BP on the attack and within 3 minutes took the lead through a penalty from
25m out, 3-0. From the next attack, Wirral were based in the BP 20m area and TOM AKEHURST
broke blind and scored 10m from the corner flag and duly converted by RHYS JAMES, 3-7 (7
minutes).In converting the try this was RHYS’s 100 th point of the season.
BP had the advantage of the breeze in the first half playing towards the town centre and after
pressure on the Wirral line they scrambled over for a try again converted to give them the lead once
again, 10-7 (14 mins). 5 minutes later a quickly taken penalty by BP enabled them to cross over close
to the posts and again converted to extend their lead to 17-7 after 19 minutes.
At the other end of the field a couple of minutes later a quickly recycled ball led to RHYS JAMES
breaking through to score close to the posts which he converted, 17-14 (21 minutes). At this stage of
the game, as with any derby match, there had been a couple of flare ups after scrums but they came
to nothing fortunately.
BP were trying to use their bigger forwards to power through and having spent a considerable
amount of time close to the try line, the BP forwards forced their way over for another try and again
converted to give BP a 24-14 half time lead.
In the second half, Wirral would have the benefit of the wind to make easier progress down field.
HARRY HAWLEY (making his debut) came on for HARRY CROPPER-JOYCE. Immediately Wirral had
play down in the BP half and were pressing the BP line, the forwards forged ahead and were deemed
to have scored only for the try to be declined as no evidence of touching down. Further continuous
pressure from Wirral saw debutant HARRY HAWLEY cross for a try wide out, the conversion was
missed but reduced the deficit to 24-19.
Wirral came back again and were pressing when a long pass out to the left wing was intercepted by
the BP winger who streaked away to score under the posts and give BP a try bonus point and a 31-19
lead, which meant Wirral would have to score at least two more tries to take the lead. On 60
minutes a great cover tackle by BP stopped Wirral scoring in the corner after a good backs move. On
67 mins Wirral make two changes, DAN CARROL and GEORGE BURROWS come on for ADAM DON
and TOM COLE, which gave Wirral the chance to make changes in the backs.
Wirral continued to press and by moving the ball around scored their bonus point try with WILL
MORRIS touching down in the corner, again converted by RHYS JAMES to leave the score 31-26 with
only 10 minutes left to play.
From the kick off, BP were penalised enabling Wirral to make ground downfield and a further
penalty enabled Wirral to play for the corner, prior to this the BP prop was sin binned in the 71 st

minute. From the line out, Wirral collected and continued to play towards the BP line and much
pressure forced their way over with JOE ADNAMS scoring and RHYS JAMES conversion took Wirral
into the lead 31-33. ROB PEARL had to leave the field with a leg injury to be replaced by HARRY
CROPPER-JOYCE.
BP again attacked as they sought the win but a penalty to Wirral relieved the position and from this
attacking area Wirral combined again to send HARRY HAWLEY over for his second try in 40 minutes
of play, the try was again converted by RHYS JAMES to seal the game well and truly, 31-40.
A good second half performance after the disappointment of the first half and they need to improve
on their performance next week when they play Stockport at home, 2-15 kick off.
Wirral remain third in the table, now only 1 point behind Anselmians and just ahead of Manchester
by 1 point who have played a game more. Manchester defeated Anselmians on Saturday.
Richard McNeil