WIRRAL produced their best performance of the season as they beat high-flying Blackburn 28-22. 

With a much changed team, the hosts knew they had a difficult game against a side contesting the leadership of the league and who had inflicted a heavy defeat on them earlier in the season.

But it was Wirral who took a surprise lead in the fifth minute when a speedy Tom Akehurst outpaced the opposition to win the kick through to score in the corner which was well converted by Jimmy Annetts.

Blackburn, using the power of their forwards to gain ground scored, before Dan Harvey from Wirral squeezed over in the corner.

Another try from Blackburn left the score 12-10 in Wirral’s favour at half-time.

In the second half, Wirral increased their lead to 28-10 with three penalties from Annetts, who also scored a try in the corner, and with his kicking ability converted well.

The pressure continued from Blackburn who were passing the ball well and using their big forwards to progress, but the tackling from Wirral was superb as they strove to control a top team.

In the last five minutes of the game Blackburn used their pace to score two tries, one of which was converted, to end the game.

Next week Wirral are away at Penrith.