AN injury-ravaged Wirral team did sufficient to achieve a bonus point win which enabled them to keep the pressure on the top two, writes Richard McNeil.

Wirral got off to a splendid start with a try in the first minute when an AK clearance kick was charged down and Rob Pearl won the race to touch down.

Although Wirral maintained pressure the second try was not scored until the 17th minute when, following some impressive work by their forwards, hooker Jason Green scored in the corner; this try was converted from the touchline by James Annetts.

The home team was guilty of over-elaborating their moves and this led to AK recovering the ball and scoring a good try from 60m out, and duly converted.

Wirral recovered, asserted supremacy in the scrum and were rewarded with a penalty try after propelling the opposition scrum 20m backwards to leave the home side with a 21-7 advantage at half time.

With Wirral temporarily down to 14 men, AK took advantage with a short range try but Wirral quickly restored their 14-point advantage with a well worked blindside move which resulted in the ever-present Rob Pearl scoring his second try.

The home team made the game safe with a fifth try when Sam Edgar scored after excellent approach work from winger Ali Baker in the 56th minute.

Wirral continued to dominate possession but with a further two players injured they could not press home their advantage.

Wirral remain in third-place after Birkenhead Park and Widnes both scored bonus point wins.

This sets up next week’s game at Park where Wirral are the visitors and they will be hoping that some of their small squad recovers from their injuries.