Ormskirk First XV Match Report – 03.03.07
Wallasey 10 Ormskirk 10
Ormskirk extended their recent run of good form by drawing against a tough, wily Wallasey team. Having already beaten the opposition this season Kirk were optimistic going into the fixture. However, a rather lethargic start to their game saw the Gingerbread Men conceding a try on the blind side of a lineout in the opening minutes.
Kirk were slow to take the initiative even after going down 5 points. Although tackles were made and ground gained, the scrappy nature of the half saw teams pressing each other forward then backwards but without much impact being made. Wallasey had several tall forwards which made the line-outs difficult to compete against but the Kirk forwards turned this to their advantage and the bulky front row of Jones, Bowling and Blackwood set strong scrums. Andrew Dean and Jonny Bennett – buoyed by a recent bout of circuit training - had the edge around the park and both helped give Andy Healey receive good ball to link up with the backs.
The tide tuned 25 minutes into the half when Healey got the ball to fly-half Stone. A training ground move found inside centre Mark Hutchings giving a textbook draw the man and pass putting full-back Dickie Underwood though. Beating a man and looking for support, winger Andy Wroe was on hand and a clever loop between the two allowed Wroe the opportunity to take it around his man. Turning on the burners Wroe took his opposite number on the outside, handing off the tackle and running in under the posts. General Stone converted and Ormskirk saw out the rest of the half with a lead of 5-7.
The second half was a tense affair but Kirk started off with possession. Stone was tactically kicking for territory and Kirk’s pacy back-row of Roberts and Molyneux were able to keep Wallasey pinned back. Cliff Kirby made ground at the back of the scrums with number 8 pickups and when he linked with Healey Ormskirk looked dangerous. Wallasey looked to run the ball out of their 22 but with Ormskirk’s hungry centres and flankers this invariably allowed the visitors to turn over possession. A neat period of rucking looked like a try was imminent but then the home team were caught offside. The penalty kick decision proved to the right one as Stone extended the lead to 5-10.
Ormskirk had to make a few changes but the replacements were testament to the strength and depth within the club. Tom Hopley came on for Nick Gordon on the wing and with hooker Bowling injured versatile player/coach Molyneux took over whilst Ian Church filled in at prop. The pack were getting the better of their men on the pitch and Wallasey employed different players to get them out of the danger zone with even their forwards electing to kick. Ormskirk had to work hard in defence and Wallasey would almost score but for a last ditch tap tackle by Stone on the 5 metre line.
Wallasey’s new-found pressure would eventually be converted into points when a driving maul proved too much for Kirk. Fortunately for Ormskirk the conversion was missed and with 5 minutes left would there be time to snatch the victory? Kirk pressed hard and spent the rest of the half in Wallasey’s 22. Their best chance came from punch up in the centre that was recycled quickly by Kirk’s back row. With Ormskirk spotting that Wallasey were stretched the ball was flicked out right but a knock-on gave Wallasey possession back and not long after the game was over.
Coach Harland and Captain Kirby were resolute after the game. Coming away from a tough away fixture with a point was definitely a positive. Had there not been so many mistakes from Kirk during the match the score-line may have been different but on balance a draw was a fair result.
