Excitingly we managed to secure a minibus to the game thanks to Dave Van Der Zwan and so made the long thirty minute journey excited at the prospect of a sing song on the way back. However, the important matter came first and it was clear to see the boys were up for the match.

Skipper Gidman, our very own gingerbread man, seeing three pitches after his work's Christmas party the night before decided to play up the steep hill first half and this eventually paid dividends.

Wirral managed to negate any initial pressure from the Collegiate boys and within fifteen minutes were camped in the Collegiate 22 for the next 20 minutes . This included a one man advantage with the Collegiate hooker sin binned for repeated infringement.
Wirral were looking for a try and opted for a number of lineouts. Despite numerous thrusts Collegiate were ‘Grinch’ like in their defence and all pressure was cleared.

Wirral then seemed to switch the lights off for a little bit and had to soak up some heavy artillery from the Collegiate pack, which despite heroic defence managed to drive over from 5 metres out for a try that was well converted.

7 - 0 at halftime.

The boys had done well and just needed to remain composed and the match was in the sack.
At this point I mulled over the substitutions with Phelan coming on for Sheldon and Xmas Carroll for Cooke.

What substitutions.
Straight from the Wirral kick off Phelo smashed the ball carrier.
The ball was passed back to the ten to clear, in his own dead ball area, and he fumbled his lines with Phelo on hand to fall over the ball and score. What a cracker of a start to the game for our very own Father Xmas, who scored with twenty seconds of coming on. The conversion was missed. 7-5 .

There was only one way now and it was all towards the Collegiate line. Big hitting Adnams, who had been a menace to his old team all day sled over the line from strong forward play.

Our very own Xmas Elf , Tom Sweeney then scored a lovely try down the blind side. Both conversions were missed.

The last minute saw the bow put on proceedings. A Wirral scrum in the Collegiate 22 saw the ball passed down the line for Gidman to have the ball gift wrapped to him to score in the corner.
Conversion missed but the game was over and 20 - 7 to the Wirral boys, sparking a wild chorus of mistletoe and wine in the team huddle.

Star of the match was Ben Brooks closely followed by Adnams. Brooks the catalyst for all that was good.
Tom Stevens got the nod for biggest hit with one in the first half that could be heard in the North Pole.

A great performance from the lads and time to rejoice on what has been a great year.
There is now a three week break and a much deserved chance to relax, drink and eat too much.

Merry Christmas to one and all! See you in the new year.

Phil

Wirral RFC

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