Wigan 1st XV 36 - 17 Ormskirk 1st XV
Ormskirk travelled to local rivals Wigan looking to complete a double over a side that find themselves in the top half of the league table. As has been the case all to often this season, ‘Kirk found themselves without a host of players due to unavailability. This however allowed them to give 1st XV debuts to Alan Frost and Steven Lambie who have both been impressing for the 2nd XV in recent weeks, both debutants came on as 2nd half substitutes and performed solidly in their first taste of life in South Lancs division 1.
Ormskirk started the game slowly and were punished for this after 6 minutes when strong running and good offloading from the Wigan forwards allowed their scrum-half to score beside the posts, the try was converted, 7-0 to the home side. ‘Kirk responded almost immediately and after Gaz Prytherch’s pass found Andy Wilson in space, he offloaded to Andy Wroe who rounded his opposite number before being tackled by the Wigan full-back. The ball was recylced quickly and after a long pass from fly-half James Illingworth found hooker Danny Salisbury he fed Jake Hodson 25 yards out, Hodson beat his opposite winger and Wigan’s last line of defence as he sprinted down the touchline to score a great try out wide. Illingworth added the conversion, 7-7. Wigan responded well and, led by their strong running number 8 and inside centre, smashed away at Ormskirk’s defence. After a period of pressure ‘Kirk’s defence gave way and Wigan scored their second converted try, 14-7. In an end to end first period Ormskirk fired back at the home side and were next to score, strong running from 2nd rowers Dan Hitchlock and Phil Davis took them into Wigan territory and number 8 Ben Davis powered down the blindside, brushing off two would-be tacklers to score in the corner with 2 minutes to go in the half. Disappointingly ‘Kirk switched off and instead of seeing out the half a series of mistakes allowed Wigan to score their third converted try and take a 21-12 lead in to the break.
Ormskirk’s poor play continued into the start of the 2nd half and within the first 10 minutes they conceded a fourth try and also gave away penalty inside their 22 which was converted to take the score to 29-12. Ormskirk got their act together as the half progressed and again the two teams became very evenly matched for the rest of the game. Chances came Ormskirk’s way, most notably a 30 yard dash from Haydn Hirsimaki and a run down the touchline from debutant Ste Lambie, but were not converted as the final passes didn’t go to hand under pressure. With 5 minutes remaining Ormskirk did add a third try, Prytherch’s cleverly weighted bounce-pass found Illingworth who scooted around Ben Davis’ well timed decoy run that distracted 2 Wigan defenders to score much to the home side’s annoyance! Now back in with a hope of achieving bonus points from the game, ‘Kirk threw everything at Wigan but were ultimately unable to add any further tries and as the clock ticked down it was the home side who scored last under Ormskirk’s posts.
After another commited performance in which ‘Kirk will feel the scoreline flattered their hosts, Ormskirk’s next game is this Saturday at home to Liverpool Collegiate, a side they have already beaten away this season. Kick-off is 14:15 at Green Lane for what will surely be a hugely competitive encounter.
Ormskirk: 1, Gateley 2, Salisbury 3, Hirsimaki 4, P Davis 5, D Hitchlock 6, Williams 7, Rothwell 8, B Davis 9, Prytherch (c) 10, Illingworth 11, Hodson 12, Healey 13, Wilson 14, Wroe 15, A Lambie 16, S Lambie 17, I Merrill 18, A Frost
