Saturday 1st September 2007
Ormskirk 29- 10 Wallasey (EDF Senior Vase Round 1)
For the second time in 6 days the Ormskirk’s First XV made their way to the second stage of a cup competition by beating league rivals Wallasey. In a hard fought game that needed extra-time to decide the victor, the ‘Kirk players displayed the positive, direct rugby they have been showing during pre-season.
It was the home team that took the early advantage. Andy Montrose broke the gain-line in a well timed backs move offloading to outside centre Chris Ashworth. Full-back Jamie Gregg was on hand to keep the ball moving down the line and supplied pacey winger Andy Wroe. Wroe had plenty of work to do and shrugged off several tackles to score in the corner.
With the wind and the forward momentum Kirk felt that this would be their afternoon. Glyn Roberts was able to snatch opposition ball at the back of the lineout, prop Val Gately made a storming run after breaking away from the ruck and steam-rolling Wallasey’s fullback. Cliff Kirby and Ady Molyneux were on-hand to ensure possession was retained. After sustained periods of picking and driving from the forwards Kirk were able to ship the ball out to danger man Wroe who, for the second time, made a show of the opposition defence as he sprinted to score a similar try in the right hand corner. With difficult conversions Kirk were still looking to capitalise on their 10 point advantage but Wallasey began to up there game.
Wallasey began playing to their strengths and when they caught and drove from line-outs ‘Kirk looked to be in trouble. The visiting team got into Kirks 22 with minutes to spare in the first half and a catch and drive saw them score, making up 5 points on Kirk’s lead.
The second half came with the wind against Kirk. To add to the situation Ormskirk skipper, Kirby, picked up an injury and had to be substituted. Fortunately past captain Paul Kearney was on hand to add a little panache to the game. The visitors used the wind to their advantage and spent most of the half camped out in Ormskirk’s 22. With most of the possession it was fortunate for Ormskirk that Wallasey only managed to score one try in the second half. Some super tackling from new hooker Andy Wilson and enforcer Phil Davies saw in to it that Wallasey didn’t take the lead. In the centre of the park Mark Hutchings made sure there was nothing coming through with some big hits.
At the end of normal time the 10-10 score line meant that ten minutes of extra time each way would be played. Coach Phil Harland knew that the fitness regime he had imposed on his players would serve them well and in the following 10 minutes Ormskirk began to run wild. Ormskirk kicked off and the Kirk pack chased, massive pressure from all forwards resulted in an Ormskirk line out. Second row Lenny Bennett soared above his man giving off the top ball to Gregg (Scott Angel having been replace after a nasty cut) at scrum half. A wide pass to John Curly saw the fly-half make a break through two players before making a skilful off-load. Ashworth and Montrose combined, but were thwarted just before the line. Adi Molyneux and Glyn Roberts were there to win the ruck though, then the impressive Andy Wilson showed nifty feet bagging his second try of the season.
At the re-start the ball made it’s way to Curley. He managed to find touch in the Wallasey half. Although opposition ball Glyn Roberts again on the snaffle made it his. The wily flanker made his own way from the back of the lineout, shrugging off the scum half and back-row. A clever step confused the fullback and his run finished with a quality try under the posts. Ashworth slotted the conversion and Kirk were fired up. With a 12 point advantage Wallasey perhaps thought the game was over, it certainly was after Montrose got the ball. Darting through from full-back the veteran winger had too much pace for the tiring opposition and scored a beautiful 30 yard try. Ashworth made it a 100 % success rate by nailing the conversion. With a 19 point lead there was no way Wallasey would not be let back in the game and Kirk made it though as deserving victors.
Two cup wins can only add to the confidence of the squad as they open their league campaign, hosting Warrington at home on Saturday.
Team: V Gatley , A Wilson, P Blackwood ,J Bennett, ,P Davies ,C Kirby (P Kearney 40) ,G Roberts, A Molyneux, S Angel (P Spengler 60) , J Curley ,J Gregg, ,M Hutchings, C Ashworth ,A Wroe , Andy Wroe
