Match Report – 17.03.07
Ormskirk 3rd XV 20 – 17 Widnes 3rd XV
Encouraged by their well deserved victory over a strong Southport side the previous week, Ormskirk 3rd XV entertained a Widnes team who according to their respective league position were evenly matched. It would be a further test of Ormskirk’s character that the game was to be played with uncontested scrums due to a lack of Widnes front row. Concerns were expressed that the youthful looking Widnes back row and backs would benefit from this and the usual strength of Ormskirk forward power would be thwarted.
From the kick off however, it was the aging Ormskirk backs who were first to show their skills. The Ormskirk forwards stole the Widnes ball from the first maul and Liversidge quickly moved the ball to Brennan in centre field who with a deftly timed pass put full back Montrose into open space between the opposition centres. Montrose drew the full back for the prolific scoring wing, Coulson, to stroll over for an opening unconverted try. Bouyed by this initial success, Ormskirk pressed their advantage further with strong running from both backs and forwards and only determined Widnes defence prevented their line being breeched. The pressure eventually told with Dolan sniping down the blind and putting Essex into space. Essex went for the line and appeared to have been thwarted by an excellent tackle but had the presence of mind to off load to the supporting Hall who simply had to catch and score which he duly did, for a try converted by Coulson.
Having gained the upper hand, Omskirk then decided to make a game of it by taking their foot off the pedal allowing Widnes to show their free running skills. Widnes played with great intelligence, keeping the ball away from the set piece and preventing the Ormskirk forwards from showing their dominance. A solid performance from man of the match Montrose as the last line of defence kept the Widnes threat at bay but two quickly taken penalties by the Widnes scrum half were Ormskirk’s downfall. With Ormskirk on the back foot both these penalties led to well taken tries by the Widnes supporting back row, one converted to make the half time score 12- 12.
Strong words from stand in skipper Blood reminded the Ormskirk XV that the opposition could not play without the ball and playing into a strong wind, a bit more intelligent thinking was the order of the day. The second half was one of organisation and control from Ormskirk. The forwards ground out vital yardage through strong driving mauls, the experience of half backs Dolan and Liversidge came to the fore with carefully managed ball distribution and when the need arose inside centre Brennan was called into play to punch the ball up close and give the forwards some further momentum. This strong close foraging eventually produced the breakthrough for Newton to dive over for a try from close range. This was quickly followed by a Coulson penalty to put Ormskirk a vital 8 points ahead. This could have been more had a maul on the Widnes line after another impressive forward effort which resulted in a ball being grounded over the line not been cancelled by an alleged double movement in the final act of scoring.
For the most of the second half, Ormskirk controlled the ball in the tight and what little ball Widnes saw was well defended by backs and forwards alike. In one of the few opportunities to move the ball wide, Ormskirk spilled the ball and the ever enthusiastic Widnes backs pounced to score a try which brought the score to 20-17 in Ormskirk’s favour. Back to basics was again the call and Ormskirk ground out the final 10 minutes to record a notable victory, although in the changing room afterwards you would have thought they had lost as all the energy had been left on the field and no one had anything left to mount a well deserved celebration. This was left to absent skipper, Critchley, who on hearing the result from his jaunt to Wetherby races was doubly jubilant having just backed the winner of the previous race. He was brought back to earth when he was told he was on the bench for next week’s game, due to the excellent team performance and his winnings would have to go towards a jug of Ormskirk’s finest ale as a thank you to his victorious team.
Ormskirks third XV made this their 6th win in as many games, but they will not have the opportunity for complacency as their final 3 league games are all against opposition placed higher in the league table. If they continue with the excellent team ethic that prevailed today, then they have little to fear.
