Wirral 22, Alnwick 13

IN a hard-fought game where the lead changed hands five times, Wirral eventually overcame newly-promoted Alnwick by 22-13 with a well worked try in the last quarter of the game.

Against the run of play, the visitors took the lead with a penalty by Alex Robson as Wirral surrendered possession with three dropped passes in the first six minutes.

In the 13th minute, Wirral took the lead when their well organised pack pushed their opposite numbers back some 15 metres over the whitewash with Stuart Gratton touching down, 5-3 13 minutes in.

The game was not flowing with a number of penalties against either side, which on one occasion gave Alnwick field position in the Wirral 20-metre area, which they exploited when sloppy play and a missed tackle enabled Alex Robson to slip over by the posts and his conversion gave the away side a 5-10 lead.

In the period before half-time, Wirral should have scored when in the act of scoring the ball was dropped and had to turn round with a five-point deficit.

In the second half Wirral played with more composure and built pressure and from play in the Alnwick 20m area, Wirral advanced towards the try line where forward power enabled James Reeves to touch down in the corner and duly converted by James Annetts from the touchline to give Wirral a 12-10 lead.

The lead changed hands couple of times with the exchange of penalties to leave the score after 54 minutes, 15-13.

The decisive score came after 64 minutes with Wirral again pressing in the opposition 20m area.

The ball was spun wide and a slick pass between Craig Harvey and Matt Loon saw the latter score under the posts and again converted by Annetts to give the 22-13 score.

Although this was the final score Wirral were in control until the end of the game and should have added to their score.

Given Wirral have only had one run out prior to this match, the new coach Darren Hall was pleased with the performance knowing he can build on this in the weeks ahead as more players become available.