First XV Match Report – 09.03.08
OMSKIRK 8-7 SEFTON (Half–time 0-7)
Second played third in the table at Green Lane this weekend when Ormskirk’s first team looked to narrow the gap on Sefton in this South Lancs and Cheshire League II fixture.
With a few alterations from last week’s side, notably Ben Davis who commendably stepped up to captain the team, Ormskirk had a battle on their hands in the opening half. The wind and rain coupled with upfront play from a strong Sefton pack kept Kirk’s forwards particularly busy. Mark Webster produced a selection of fine tackles that sent tremors around the ground whilst second row Phil Davis gained some massive facial bruising whilst enforcing his unique style of offensive defence.
For much of the half Sefton threatened to score but were kept at bay. It was the home team, who almost took the advantage when the backs took an opportunity to pass and run. With the ball ending up in Andy Wroe’s hands on the right wing and his opposite number beaten for pace, the home crowd became excited but the full-back cover forced the florist into touch. Thirty minutes into the half and with neither whitewash crossed it looked like Ormskirk may have been be able to hold out until the half-time whistle and, with it, the wind advantage. Unfortunately the slippy conditions and gale force wind led to a miss handling at the back off a scrum and Sefton were quick to pounce, their Flanker diving over to collect the 5 points.
Licking their wounds and taking on board advice from Captain Davis and Assistant Coach Norman Hall, the second half began with Kirk now enjoying the Lion’s share of territory. A neck injury prevented Kirk’s inspirational number 8, Kieran Mahood, from continuing but Mark ‘Hotpants’ Hutchings filled his boots by make an complete nuisance of himself around the break down.
After struggling in the line-outs in the opening games of the season Kirk had certainly put those Demon’s to rest and hooker Andy Wilson, when he wasn’t making his trademark jinky runs, threw well despite the wind. Gregg was able to get the ball to Whalley who comfortably booted down the park. When Kirk were in the opposition’s 22 they looked dangerous and Gregg kept the pack moving forward. Paul Blackwood, Ormksirk’s legendary prop forward, enjoyed the forwards orientated game, no more so though than when he played his 1st first team rugby match 29 year ago this week!
It would be the forwards who would conjure up Kirk’s first points. After forcing Sefton into the corner of their 22 and putting on pressure at the lineout a spilled ball at the back needed no second invitation. Webster dived on it to draw the scores closer. A difficult conversion was missed but not long after the Green Lane men took the lead from a well executed penalty kick from Whalley.
8-7 with ten minutes left and drama was a-plenty in the form dump tackles from Gately and Johnson and 2 penalty kicks for Sefton. Fortunately for the home team these were missed and whilst Kirk hard to work hard in the last 5 minutes, soaking up massive pressure from Sefton’s runners they walked of the park winners against one the league’s strongest teams.
Next weekend sees if Ormskirk can make it to the semi-finals of the Lancashire Plate Cup, a home match against Birchfield, all welcome.
Team P W D L F A Diff Pts Adjust
Dukinfield 19 14 1 4 353 264 89 29 0
Sefton 19 13 0 6 340 228 112 26 0
Ormskirk 19 11 2 6 334 235 99 24 0
Orrell Anvils 19 12 2 5 350 290 60 24 -2
Warrington 19 9 1 9 386 292 94 19 0
Wallasey 19 8 2 9 343 289 54 18 0
Ashton on Mersey 19 9 0 10 288 310 -22 18 0
Oswestry 19 9 0 10 314 352 -38 18 0
Southport 19 9 0 10 238 302 -64 18 0
Crewe and Nantwich 19 8 1 10 223 264 -41 17 0
Liverpool Collegiate 19 3 0 16 224 369 -145 4 -2
Oldershaw 19 4 1 14 222 420 -198 0 -9
