Ormskirk v Southport – John Winn Cup – April 20th 2007
Southport 12 – 27 Ormskirk
The 2006-2007 season finale saw Ormskirk travelling across the A570 to local rivals Southport to fight it out for the inter-club John Winn Memorial Cup. Current holders Ormskirk were all set to put in a strong performance, especially in the knowledge that the two teams will be meeting in the league next season due to Southport’s promotion from South Lancs and Cheshire III. Cliff Kirby and his men were buoyant and confident, keen to put a marker down for the 2007/2008 campaign.
There were several changes from the team that had fought so valiantly against Ruskin Park the previous week. Jamie Wroe stepped in at fly-half for the absent Steve Stone - whilst regular prop, Dave Jones, showed his versatility by fitting in-between the big guns, Val Gately and Paul Blackwood at hooker. Another veteran of John Winn battles, Andrew Montrose, also stepped in when Mark Hutching injured himself during the pre-match warm-up. A hard pitch and dry conditions pointed towards an expansive game plan, but Kirk showed their raw power by opting to go up the middle and maul possession over the try line for the first points of the afternoon. A jubilant Captain Cliff Kirby took the points by peeling off and with an outstretched arm drew first blood for the Gingerbread Men.
Ormskirk took advantage again from the kick off as a clean catch by Jones was taken. The forwards worked together and Molyneux made a break. With the ball at the back of a ruck Andy Healy supplied Jamie Wroe who hoisted it into the far left corner. Southport’s winger was put under pressure by Ormskirk backs and Tom Hopley managed to bundle him into touch. A long line out reached number 8 Kieran Mahood in space. Southport’s flanker was bearing down on him but a neat dummy and then a pirouette from Mahood started him off on a 30 yard spring to the line, scoring crucial points that would see him take the well deserved Man of the Mach accolade. Jamie Wroe converted for the first of his 7 points of the afternoon.
Going down 0-12 in the opening 15 minutes gave Southport a wake up call. Their strong pack upped their game and the next phase of the game would see Kirk having to make most of their well drilled defence. With a constant onslaught from forwards punching it up Kirk were able to keep them at bay but only for a short while. A well executed penalty move from the home team resulted in a try and conversion which clawed the score back to 7-12. Sensing a resurgent Southport on their tails, Ormskirk played with the heads and a penalty kick by Wroe extended the lead again. Kirk came very close to scoring their 3rd when a run by centre Simon Staniforth, on for injured veteran Ricardo Underwood, saw him stopped short. With Kirks back row on hand along with Andrew Montrose making his return to first team rugby after injury, possession was retained. It would be Jamie Wroe’s brother Andy who would next make his mark on the game. A well worked backs move saw the winger switching with the fly half as Andy Wroe shrugged off 2 tackles making his way towards the line. Scoring under the sticks left a simple kick for the effective boot of Jamie Wroe. Going into half time 7-22 up, Kirk sensed that the John Winn Cup would be coming back home once again.
The second half began with both teams seeing their fair share of possession. Second row Lenny Bennett was replaced by Phil ‘the Enforcer’ Davies who was eager to make his mark with his trademark big hits. Unfortunately, the match almost came to an early end after an scrum collapse left the Southport tight head prop badly injured. The game was halted for 15 minutes whilst an ambulance was called. After he was clapped off both teams picked up were they left off but despite valiant tackling from Kirk Southport managed to stretch the defence and with too many Ormskirk players committed to a break down Southport spread the ball out wide. The overlap was effective and they scored in the corner. 12-22. Kirk found themselves under quite a bit of pressure and were finding it difficult to clear their lines. Instead they opted to run the ball out of their 22. Ashworth found himself in space and with Andy Wroe outside gave a sublime pass to the nippy winger. Wroe, currently in training for a marathon, took off and managed to get to Southport’s 22 before being halted. Fortunately for Ormskirk, scrum-half Andy Healey was supporting- Wroe slipped the ball to the Number 9 who did the rest in the corner. A missed conversion left the score 12-27 in favour of the visitors.
The last 5 minutes was an almost constant assault from Southport on Ormskirk’s line. Rallied by Captain Kirby and playing out of their skins Kirk threw their bodies on the line. Val Gately had a stormer whilst Glyn Roberts mauled the Southport scrum-half like a lion taking down a gazelle. A solid hit from the hobbling Montrose and then a heroic tackle from Chris Ashworth on Southport’s outside centre managed to hold up a potential try. Moments later the referees’ whistle was a welcome relief to all the players and a jubilant Kirk were presented with the John Winn cup for the 4th consecutive season. The large crowd paid testament to the enduring attraction of this derby fixture – and were a fitting tribute to the memory of John Winn.
