Match Report by Simon Pickles. Photos by Rob Long.
October16th 2021

Fine autumnal weather welcomed Wirral RUFC to Clifton Park. The Merseysiders have had mixed results so far this season. They had the same record as York before yesterday’s fixture, two wins and three defeats. Both teams were mid-table with Northwich, Kirkby Lonsdale and Burnage yet to record a win in this season’s North Premier division. Eddie Westaby joined Ross White (captain) and Will Scholey in the front-row for York with Dan Coe supporting them in rotation. Joe Maud was welcomed back to the matchday eighteen. He was part of the back-row team that included Joe Simpson, Archie Fothergill and the returning Shane Goulding. Will Fordy played at outside-centre with Ben Dent and Sam Taylor on the wings. Tom Woffendin provided another back-line option as a substitute. Wirral were led by experienced fly-half, Craig Harvey.

A missed penalty provided an early let-off for York. Wirral had gained ground with straight heavy running. Their scrum-half, Tom Akehurst, exploited a gap at the side of a ruck. He advanced Wirral’s possession but the ensuing shot at goal was wide. York retained possession and played with tempo. Fly-half Declan Cusack passed the ball accurately. Sam Taylor and Ross White both went close to scoring. Wirral’s organisation in defence kept York at bay but they did concede a penalty. Declan took his chance and kicked York ahead.

The York scrummage started pushing forward and fracturing the opposing eight. Declan doubled the York lead with his second successful penalty. Wirral were not shocked or anxious though. They surged at the York try-line with consistent, determined possession. Outside centre, James Annetts, broke through and scored the first try of the game. The successful conversion gave the visitors a slim lead. Ballasted by their scrum, the steady York ball handling finally overcame the Wirral line. With possession recycled; Declan put full-back George Davies into a defensive gap to score. The conversion was good and York continued to pressurise Wirral. Wirral resisted and retained their discipline until Shane Goulding had enough space to accelerate and force his way over the line. After an unsuccessful conversion the score was 18-7 at half-time.

A missed tackle enabled Ross White to make a midfield break shortly after the re-start. Joe Simpson was on his shoulder to score his first try of the season. York endeavoured to gain their four-try bonus point whilst Wirral looked to break-out and cut the deficit. Impatience won out until Ross dived over from close range to get his own try. Defensively, York withstood a spell of possession that saw the Wirral pack get within a metre or so of the line. Chris Fox, the York second-row, was exemplary but the whole team were highly motivated and well-drilled. The opposing teams exchanged tries twice within the final ten minutes but it made no difference to the result. Flanker, Nick Hearn, scored for Wirral after a line-out drive. Joe Maud then displayed his power from close-range in reply. Tom Woffendin scored York’s sixth try assisted by Will Fordy before the visiting full-back, Chris Crowley, got a consolation try.

Final score: York RUFC 42, Wirral RUFC 17.

York travel to Sandal next week, Wirral host Alnwick. Elsewhere in the division, Burnage are no longer winless after beating Kirkby Lonsdale. Otley remain undefeated with Preston Grasshoppers currently providing their competition for top-spot in the league.