Ormskirk First XV 25th Nov 2006
Ruskin Park 41-19 Ormskirk
It wasn’t so much a sucker punch, more of a devastating assault that left Ormskirk wondering how to get into a match that saw them trailing 19-0 inside the opening 10 minutes. With the St. Helen’s outfit Ruskin Park proving once again that if they get possession in space they will punish you, a change of tactics was desperately needed.
With several changes - notably in the back line once again - Captain Kirby opted to keep running the ball up close, recycling and maintaining possession. This strategy began to play dividends by the end of the first half. The ‘kirk forwards, ordered by scrum half Healey, dug deeper than ever to make it first to every break down. Options from all players from Hooker Dave Jones to Second Row Jonny Bennett gave Healey options to punch the ball up. Prop Val Gately broke his nose for his efforts but this spurred him on even more.
Ruskin Park, who excel with ball in hand, were clearly frustrated with this approach and struggled to come to terms with the power of the Ormskirk pack. 30 minutes into the game a scrum on the 5 yard line was driven over. Kieran Mahood scoring the points. Back in contention Kirk’s spirits were high and with less than 10 minutes of the half left they pursued another score.
With Ormskirk gaining yet another penalty for Ruskin forwards putting hands in a ruck Andy Healey kicked for territory. At the line out Ormskirk won clean ball and a rolling maul advanced forward. Chris Ashworth attempting the fly-half role asked for the ball and switched it back inside using inside centre Mark Webster. With the pack there to tidy up, a series of rucks followed. For the first time this season Ormskirk put around 10 phases of play together, a real high point of the game. Each phase edged one step closer to the line and with a final push Cliff Kirby and centre Rich Underwood were left bickering as to who scored the points. Healey converted and with minutes left until the interval could this be the revival that seemed a pipe dream at the start of the game? Perhaps not, as another break-away try from Ruskin took their lead to 26-12 at half time.
In many ways the second half was a repeat of the first except Ruskin wouldn’t find their way through the Ormskirk defence so easily or quickly. Flankers Roberts and Molyneux worked tirelessly to break from scrums and rucks. Putting pressure on the opposition 10 allowed the Ormskirk back line to employ a drift defence and the back 3 Hopley, Green and Gordon were able to control Ruskin’s attack. Unfortunately Ruskin had one last trick up their sleeve and an impact substitute winger was brought onto the park. The speedy powerhouse would score 2 tries against a battling Ormskirk. Kirk brought on their own impact players Andrew Dean and Mark Hutchings but the clock was ticking.
A try at the end of the game, made by the forwards and finished by Mahood on one of his gallops afforded the Green Lane men some consolation but this wasn’t going to be Ormskirk’s day. Coach Phil Harland pointed out the positives the team should take from the game; 60 minutes of good rugby, excellent ball retention and prolonged phases of possession. But the dreaded C word raised its ugly head again, Concentration was key. Again, Ormskirk will look to add points to their league position at home against Sefton next Saturday.
