Alnwick 50 - 0 Wirral

Tries: Moralee, H.Burn, Courty, Atkinson, Robson (2), Gothorp, Hamilton.
Conversions: Bird (5)

In the seven months since the 6th September 2018 when Alnwick travelled to Wirral to play their first match in the North Premier and were unlucky to come away empty-handed from a 22 – 13 defeat, Alnwick have improved immeasurably and would now be aiming to redress the balance.

Prior to this game, both sides had experienced several weeks of fluctuating fortunes and had similar records, with Wirral occupying 7th place with 12 wins plus bonus points and Alnwick in 9th place with 11 wins but fewer extras.

The loyal and long-standing sponsors of this match, Tim Burgess of Hackett Chains couldn’t have wished for a better example to illustrate how much Alnwick have grown in stature during the season with a performance which reflects the value and appreciation of all sponsors who support the club.

Despite what the final score-line suggests, the sides were very evenly matched and contested in lively fashion throughout with parity in most area except the set scrums where Alnwick always had the edge against the bulkier Wirral eight.
Even missing some regulars Wirral were a robust and competitive handful. With determined drives from the forwards and some nice touches from the backs where centres Speed and Williams were always dangerous until Alnwick got their measure.The visitors created plenty of scoring opportunities but were largely the authors of their own down-fall through handling errors when in promising attacking situations.
Alnwick on the other hand were quick to capitalise on any slip-up, sometimes from tight defensive positions, and in each half ran in four quality tries either through the product of team effort and excellent support play or individual alertness.

All in all this was high quality team performance by Alnwick with Wirral having no answer to the pace and handling of their backs, while once again Alnwick’s their outstanding defence both in open play and in the tight close-quarters skirmishes limited Wirral’s progress and brought the first clean sheet of the season.

Apart from a moderate but chilling south-easterly wind conditions were nearly ideal with both sides applying pressure in turn during the opening phases before Alnwick secured turn-over ball on their own 22. Spinning the ball wide found Joe Weddell who made good ground in a narrow corridor on the left touchline before his inside pass found Peter Moralee who raced clear for an unconverted try for 5 – 0.

Some 10 minutes later a Wirral defensive punt, cleanly fielded by Moralee, was immediately turned into attack as Weddell broke from deep and Hamish Burn showed good speed in support to take his inside pass and run in untouched from half-way for 10 – 0, with Bird’s conversion falling short in the wind.

With Wirral still attacking in Alnwick’s 22, Bird made a clean break towards the right taking play into the visitors half before releasing Ben Courty whose pace and determination took him over by the posts for 15 – 0, with James Bird adding the conversion for 17 – 0.

Alnwick’s bonus point fourth try came just before half-time, again from their own half as alert play from the ubiquitous Jonny Young fed Hamish Burn who turned on the turbo before releasing Scott Atkinson on a 30 metre sprint to the posts for 22 – 0 with Bird adding the extras for 24 – 0 at the interval.

It was 10 minutes into the second half with Wirral in possession and pressing hard on Alnwick’s line when centre Alex Robson intercepted a promising looking pass and rocketed 80 metres up the park like the proverbial scalded cat to complete his solo effort at the posts with a smile as big as the great outdoors for 29 – 0 and James , with Bird’s conversion making it 31 – 0.

An attempted clearance kick by Wirral led to the next try as Moralee again caught it cleanly, feinting to the right before switching left to find Cuthbert whose initial break triggered some tasty handling and support play. When a typical Duncan Smith charge was halted, Jonny Burn was on hand to find the non-stop Ben Gothorp who rounded off the team ‘s effort in determined fashion for36 – 0, with Bird’s boot making it 38 – 0.

The next try was something of a gem well worthy of the loud applause from the home supporters. Although Alnwick had by now virtually disappeared over the horizon, Wirral battled nobly and were close to Alnwick’s line when a turn-over released the deceptively speedy and elusive Rob Cuthbert up the left. Cutting inside, a long pass found Skipper Moralee who skated to the right past the initial defenders before being partly halted near Wirral’s 22. Popping the ball inside to the supporting Atkinson, he then took the return pass to slip a scoring pass for Alex Robson to get his second try of the afternoon 43 – 0 , with the conversion missed.

All over bar the shouting now but still time for some forward interplay and another Duncan Smith gallop before Jonny Burn found the hugely influential James Hamilton who strolled over to dot down and give Bird a relatively simple conversion for a final score of 50 – 0.

It is hoped that Wirral felt our welcome off the pitch compensated somewhat for a disappointing result and that some consolation was also provided by the evening delights of Newcastle before Sunday’s journey home.

All the tries were of high quality and though tackles never show as scoring points two in the first half, one by Callum Burn and a cruncher by Peter Moralee when Wirral were pressing were crucial and opposition scores at those points might well have altered the balance and final outcome.

From Alnwick’s viewpoint this was probably the most complete team display seen at Greensfield this season and with the entire squad from 1 – 18 playing to their best it seems unfair give anyone not already featured a special mention.
Not forgetting the value of James Bird’s contribution through his conversions as well as a couple of stylish breaks, the Burns’ half back pairing again worked sweetly.
Although Callum’s solo chances were limited, his distribution gave the three-quarters plenty of scope and with some timely long- range clearances also keeping Wirral pegged back he should be well happy with his contribution.

Equally it would be an injustice not to recognise that much of what has been achieved by the 1st team this season is in no small way due to the constant hard work of Andrew Bell and the coaching team who also actively encourage players from the 2nds and 3rd to achieve their potential.

Elsewhere Alnwick are very happy to congratulate near neighbours Morpeth on being promoted as Champions from North East Division One, not only because it reduces the number of long range away games, but also because we look forward to renewing old acquaintances and the friendly rivalry for the Brett Silver Horse, currently held by Alnwick.

The two sides will have the chance to assess their prospects for next season, when, by way of a curtain raiser, they meet at Berwick next Saturday 20th April in the Northumberland Senior County Final. Kick-off is at 3.00pm.
With the prospect of warmer weather on the way why not get there if you can to support the sides and enjoy some sunshine? It ‘ll be a whole lot more fun than trying to choose wallpaper at Homebase….….. (other stores are available).
Good luck to both teams and may Easter be a happy time for all.

Team: P.Moralee (Capt), S.Atkinson, A.Robson, F.Hutchinson, J.Weddell, C.Burn, J.Burn,
D.Smith, H.Burn, D.Clayton, J.Young, O.Sutheran, B.Courty, W.Pettifer,B.Gothorp.
Bench: J.Hamilton, R.Cuthbert, J.Cowans.
Referee: Dave Charlton (Northern Group)
Next match: Northumberland Senior County Cup Final
Alnwick v Morpeth to be played at Berwick on Saturday 20th April 2019 Kick Off 3.00pm