First XV Match Report – 02.09.06………………..Ormskirk 23 Wallasey 7
Ormskirk opted to play this league game a week ahead of the official start of the league campaign to avoid a potential fixture congestion later on in the season. This decision was vindicated with a steely performance against a side who have proven to be ‘kirk’s nemesis over recent years. A large group of supporters (Ormskirk and Hightown cricketers had enhanced numbers when they turned up en masse after their games were rained off) witnessed a gutsy performance, the home team exorcising the ghosts of the defeat against Eagle last week with a spirited and committed effort.
Wallasey took the game to ‘kirk early on, predictably using their large pack to plod forward into enemy territory. A few breaks from the back of set pieces forced ‘kirk into defensive action, the back three of Dickie Gregg, Chris Cowburn and Andy Montrose all earning their stripes with good tackles. After 10 minutes, Ormskirk got going themselves and started to dominate key areas of the game. Chris Tracey’s line-out ball was spot on, the jumpers ensuring that scrum-half Andy Healey got good, quick ball to launch attacks, ably assisted my midfield general Steve Stone. After some excellent drives from ‘kirk’s pack, Stone found a gap on the blind side and released winger Gregg who squeezed into the corner to open this season’s account for the Gingerbread Men. Lifted by these five points – and by a partisan and vocal crowd – Ormskirk began to play some controlled and well-rehearsed rugby. The makeshift midfield partnership of Dickie Underwood and Luke Cunningham were the catalysts for several promising breaks, whilst the back-line in general looked to be on the same wavelength after a distinctly under-par performance last week. Cunningham was particularly impressive, especially bearing in mind he was a virgin centre before today!
The Ormskirk forwards now began to dominate the Wallasey pack, a feat easier said than done! It is not often that Wallasey’s front three will lose so much ball in the scrum – ‘kirk’s trio of Dave Jones, Chris Tracey and Paul ‘The Immovable Object’ Blackwood were immense, whilst their second row of Phil Davis (and later John Bennet) and Cliff Kirby were as good as they have been for some time, both in the set piece and around the park. Despite incredible pressure and massive territorial advantage, ‘kirk failed to score again until 10 minutes before the interval. The try did come eventually, after three or four scrums had to be re-set 5 yards from Wallasey’s line. Why and how the referee failed to award a penalty try remains a mystery – but hooker Tracey finally grounded for ‘kirk to make it 10-0. the windy conditions made kicking for points a lottery – Stone’s 100% record until today went as he narrowly missed for the second time. A well-struck penalty made amends however – 13-0 at half-time.
The second half saw Ormskirk’s forwards continue to dominate, especially in the line-out and scrum. Kieran Mahood was his usual untouchable self in the line out, enveloping the ball with his shovel-like hands whether it was ‘kirk’s throw in or not. Glyn Roberts and Mark Hutchings worked their socks off in the loose, ensuring that any ‘50/50s’ went ‘kirk’s way and at the same time putting in some big hits around the edges of rucks and mauls. Tom Prescott joined the fray and was an impressive and influential replacement. Another period of Ormskirk domination saw Captain Cliff Kirby barge his way over in typically uncompromising fashion. At 18-0, the home team looked home and dry, but Wallasey scored a try totally against the run of play after a suspect quick line-out eventually saw some good support play rewarded with a score under the posts. The conversion made it 18-7, and ‘kirk had to now make sure they didn’t lose their grip on the game. If anything, they tightened their grip, camping out in Wallasey’s ‘22’ for the remainder of the match. Another great effort from the forwards ended up with them pushing Wallasey off their own ball and scrum-half Andy Healey scampering over the line (and under would-be tacklers!) to round off the scoring; 23-7.
With St. Edward’s Old Boys away next Saturday, the omens look good for Ormskirk. If they display the same determination and team spirit as this performance, they will not be beaten by many teams at this level. Nonetheless, Coach Phil Harland knows that his team only performed for 60 minutes out of the 80, and is right to point out that “there is no room for complacency”. Captain Kirby called it “an admirable performance, but one we must build on every week, both at training and on match days”.
