First XV Match Report – 01.12.07
ORMSKIRK 10-16 DUKINFIELD (Half-time 7-7)
Top of the table Dukinfield visited Green Lane on Saturday, probably expecting an easy win for their league campaign but a gutsy performance from the Gingerbread Men ensured the league leaders had to give it there all to secure the points.
With a huge pack it was clear that Dukinfield’s tactics of crash ball rugby would have to be contained and stand in captain Adi Molyneux set the standards for the defence with bruising upfront hits. After an initial period of possession for the visitors, Ormskirk were the first to get off the mark. Following a strong scrum the ball was spun down the back-line, Armstrong to Ashworth to Curly. The outside centre turned on the gas, taking it round his man then cruising down the left wing to score, (one of his many contributions to the game that saw him claim Man of the Match). The difficult kick was superbly taken by aptly named Rooney Healy.
Dukinfield wouldn’t have been used to chasing games this season and came back strongly. Managing to keep Kirk pinned back on their line and employing their mammoth scrum it wasn’t long before the drive set up for the scrum half to fall on the ball, the conversion levelling the score. It could have been worse for Kirk towards the end of the half, Dukinfield played some good up-front rugby having stretched the home defence would have scored a second had it not be for flaxen-haired winger Peter Spengler’s try saving tackle on the line. Turn over ball, a strong scrum and boot down field fended off the danger and brought a close to the first half.
Against the breeze Kirk would have to rely on running rugby to get them in the opposition’s half and as always the pack worked tirelessly to gain yards. Ben Davies at number 8 was proving to be handful with the ‘pick and goes’ and was unlucky not to finish off a searing run early in the half. Dukinfield played the right game though, and when they gained possession their fly-half put the boot in sending Kirk back into their 22. When Kirk gave away a penalty Dukinfield slotted the kick and several minutes later grabbed a drop goal to gain a 6 point lead.
Still, as Kirk pressed forward, the massive Dukinfield forwards began to show signs of fatigue and the fitter Kirk bruisers - Rowley, Pope, Gately and Jones - demonstrated that size is second only to technique by advancing forward. Quickening the pace Kirk forced mistakes from Dukinfield and when they were awarded a penalty Rooney took them to within 3 points.
Credit to the opposition fly-half for slotting a second drop goal, under pressure, which took the game more than a penalty kick away from Ormskirk. A home team try could have clinched it and several Ormskirk players enjoyed good runs, Wroe on the wing and Wilson from hooker, past captains Kearney and Montrose made piercing breaks but the final touch just eluded them.
No shame in the defeat this week and heads were high as both teams applauded each other off the pitch. An away trip to Sefton next weekend in the cup could bring the first team an early Christmas bonus as the squad looks to build on this strong performance.
Team: Rowley, Wilson, Pope (Jones 50), Gatley, Bennett, Molyneux, Kearney, B Davies, Gregg, Armstrong, Ashworth, Curly, Wroe, Healy, Spengler (Montrose 60)
