WIRRAL produced a professional performance to overcome Wilmslow on what has been a difficult fixture for them over the past few years.

The only disappointing aspect is that they missed out on a try bonus point despite creating opportunities, writes Richard McNeil.

As early as the seventh minute, Wirral took the lead with a penalty try when from 15m out the Wirral scrum forced the Wilmslow pack backwards and the home side had to succumb to the pressure with the referee rightly awarding a penalty try.

James Annetts added the conversion and, two minutes later, hit a long distance penalty to increase Wirral’s lead to 10-0.

Wilmslow hit back when the only lapse in the game by the Wirral defence allowed Ben Day to score from a good backs move; his try was duly converted.

For the rest of the first half Wirral were camped in the Wilmslow half but could not add to their score.

The game was still in the balance at half time, Wirral with a 10-7 lead.

Within two minutes of the second half commencing Wirral extended their lead when good interplay in the backs led to Chris Speed scoring, again converted by James Annetts.

The game was taken out of Wilmslow’s reach when captain, Rob Pearl crossed for a try after a period of continuous Wirral pressure.

Thereafter Wirral strove for the fourth try and thus a try bonus point but this eluded them despite having a couple of clear cut chances.

They remain second in this highly competitive league one point behind Birkenhead Park.