ORMSKIRK 4TH XV 17 TARLETON 2ND XV 32
24th March 2007
With no fixture in the league this week for Ormskirk a friendly was arranged with local rivals Tarleton who gained promotion to miller homes Div 4N last season. Kirk knew this wasn’t to be an easy game so composed themselves and prepared for an intense battle.
The game kicked off in front of a record crowd at Green Lane as interest in this fixture brought out the spectators not to mention the sunshine. As predicted the game exploded into action as both teams tested the opposition defence a number of times. It was the visitors however who broke the deadlock with some good running from their youthful backs who were capable of blasting away from the starting blocks Linford Christie style. Unfortunately kirk had no response to the pace of the Tarleton backs and Tarleton racked up 3 tries in the first half of the game. To combat this, kirk utilised their strength in the forwards and took control of rucks and mauls a number of times, managing to turn over ball on a few occasions. But despite this pressure from the kirk pack, the home side were unable to cross the line. So the first half drew to a close with Tarleton leading 17-0.
Paul Wallwork gathered his troops for a half time inspirational team talk. This seemed to have done the trick; because moments after the second half got under way kirk claimed the ball for themselves and was not giving it up for anybody. Kirks first try of the day came through superb interlinking play between the backs and forwards with great support which allowed Brian Green the opportunity to get his hands on the ball and drive forward to the line. Despite shouts of being held up from Tarleton, kirk were awarded the try. Carl Day added the extras.
It wasn’t too long before kirk had claimed a second try when Paul Fletcher broke free from the back of the maul and brushed aside all would be tacklers before grounding for his second try of the season in just as many games.
Tarleton hit back soon after again using the pace of their backs to exploit the gaps in kirks defence to extend the score line. Despite this kirk were not disheartened and continued to apply pressure on the Tarleton defence. Kirk’s forwards created the platform for their backs to launch their attacks on the Tarleton try line. But it was the forwards who were to dominate the score sheet on this occasion and when kirk drove on from a line out, Paul Wallwork drove over the line to claim his first try of the season. Sensing a comeback kirk threw caution to the wind. This to be their downfall as with in the last six minutes of the game Tarleton’s backs once again opened up the kirk defence and ran in two further trys to seal the victory. Speaking after the game Tarleton’s captain praised Ormskirk for all their hard work and determination.
Despite the loss Captain Wallwork was impressed with the performance his side had produced and added, that if we could carry forward the effort into next weeks home game, then a win would almost certainly be on the cards.
Ormskirk 4th XV play their last home game of the season next week against Carnforth and a win would see them secure 6th position in the league.
