First XV Match Report – 05.04.08
Heaton Moor 21-3 Ormskirk (Half time 18-3)
No shame in being knocked out of the Lancashire Plate in the semi-final by the current holders, but Cliff Kirby - Ormskirk’s second row captain - felt the score line was a little flattering after Kirk’s gutsy performance on Saturday.
There was no doubt that Heaton Moor provided Ormskirk’s sternest opposition this season and every man in the squad contributed heroically at various points in the game. The lightning pace was set early by both teams with ball being recycled and spun as soon as it hit the ground. Mark Webster continued to smash above his weight in the tackle and was kept busy by a running fly-half. It was the speed of the ruck that would cause Kirk to give away two penalties early on but Barry Whalley kept Ormskirk in contention with a penalty of his own.
The home team would score the first of two tries after a break from the full-back, a couple of missed tackles from Ormskirk left Andy Healy with a one on one tackle, of course he made it but the scrum that eventually resulted gave Heaton Moor’s Number 8 a chance to go blind. He did, and scored, but fortunately the conversion was missed and at 11-3 Ormskirk were still in the match.
Kirk then put together their best period of play in the match. Rowley and Gately kept the scrums solid, which allowed Jamie Gregg the time to get the ball out to the backs. Andy Wroe, on the right wing, managed a run against his opposite number but with a niggling injury found it hard to take him on the outside. Meanwhile, Matt Johnson ran with ferocity from the inside centre position, this coupled with a strong defensive display earned him the Man of the Match award from his team mates.
The left wing saw it’s share of the action as Healy and Peter Spengler linked well after the ball was spun down the line but, as was the story of the afternoon, Moor’s defence was well drilled enough to absorb the pressure.
Just before half-time Kirk’s chances of the match were realistically put beyond reach as a counter attack from Heaton Moor disorganised Ormskirk. Despite some last ditch tackles Moor exploited Kirk’s jumbled line and spun it out left to score. With the conversion added and then the whistle Kirk had a mountain to climb.
The second half saw changes and more valiant effort from the team. The mere fact that Ormskirk only conceded 3 points, against the wind, showed the level of commitment from the players. Glyn Roberts made a welcome return to the team, after an injury had sidelined him for four months, and picked up where he left off, pinching ball, putting in the hits. Heaton Moor gave credit to Ormskirk’s blind-side flanker, Ben Davies, for his contribution to the match, nominating him as their Man of the Match and Kirk could have clawed back some points when John Curley put Chris Ashworth through a gap, Ashworth beat two but didn’t have the gas for the third.
All in all this was a day of disappointment of what could have been but pride in how far the players have come this season, and the excitement doesn’t end there. With two more league games to play, a win next weekend at home to Orrell will set up a rip-roaring tie against Duckinfield. Two wins needed for promotion, any support at Green Lane on Saturday,3 p.m. would be greatly appreciated!
