Sunday 10th December
Ormskirk Ladies         42
Rossendale                0
Tries : E Gander (3), K Johnson, J Leitch, C Doyle, A O’Malley (2)
Having had a pasting from the Rossendale scrum earlier in the season the Ladies wisely wheeled out the scrummaging machine last week for a bit of practice. It paid off; not only did yankee hooker Kristin Harkins take three against the head in the match, but the big toy lured down to training some big girls whose normal training regime involves lifting pizza and not much else.
Being able to match Rossendale in the scrum was the key to this win. Front rows Lesley Kenny, Kristin Harkins and Jen Schofield were terrific and not just in the scrums. Girl of the Game Harkins was everywhere, harassing Rossendale runners and scrapping for possession. Kenny and Schofield soaked up the pressure when the Rossendale forwards came pounding forward. Indeed the whole pack raised their game to match the visitors.
On a rain lashed mud heap it was a day that brought out everybody’s inner hippo. It’s an animal well suited to mud but not noted for its handling skills, so the teams turned round with only two unconverted tries from winger Anna O’Malley separating them.
In the second half the ball, rather than just the mud, started to stick and the Ladies got into their rhythm. Good hands, quick support and a work rate that would put bees to shame soon had the tries flowing. No 8 Emma Gander plundered the first of her three tries and fly half Jenny Leitch converted before adding another try of her own. At 17-0 the game was safe but Rossendale continued to battle fiercely.
Further tries came from scrum half Katie Johnson and centre Charlotte Doyle before Gander completed her hat trick.
Next Saturday’s friendly against Division North 2 leaders Preston Grasshoppers should give the Ladies an indication of how much progress they’ve made this season.
Report by Sam Botfield.
