Ormskirk 39 Littleborough 10
Ormskirk got their season off to a positive start in this first round Lancashire Plate match with a strong win against an Oldham based side who were physically bigger man for man.
With 7 substitutes on the bench Coach Phil Harland was keen to emphasize that everyone is under the pressure to be in the starting 15, so all the lads knew that they had to give 100% if they were to feature in the team for the forth-coming season.
The scene was set; a large crowd, a freshly mowed pitch and high expectations from everyone connected with the club, the lads knew they had to put in a big performance.
On a drizzly but humid afternoon, Kirk started well playing a lot of rugby in the Littleborough half. This pressure ended in a penalty for the home side with new player coach Johnny Armstrong slotting a penalty to go 3-0 up after 8 minutes. 5 minutes later, from a well worked move at the base of the scrum, number 8 Ben Davis picked up, fed Scrum-half Gaz Little who drew his man perfectly and gave Andy Wroe a well timed pass for him to sprint in un apposed, Armstrong adding the extras to go 10-0 up. The confidence was high, flankers Adi Molyneux and Glyn Roberts winning plenty of ball, backed up by some good mauling from props Val Gatley and veteran Paul Blackwood. In the line outs Kieran Mahood won his own ball and stole some from the opposition. Littleborough worked their way into the Kirk half, and after some strong defence from Chris Ashworth the ball was turned over. Armstrong distributing some quick ball to find Ben Davis on the blind, with a 2 on 2 Davis managed to get round one man, and gave a fine dummy to race in from 30 metres out, making it 15-0. Just 5 minutes later speedy hooker Andy Wilson darted up the middle of the pitch, then fed Matt Johnson, onto Ashworth and then finally to Wroe, who again went round his man, drew the full back and fed the ball back inside to fullback Healey who was supporting well and ran in from 20 metres out, with the kick missed it went to 20-0.
From the re-start captain Cliff Kirkby drove the ball in well and again the kirk pack moved the ball into the opposition half. Yet another counter attack down the right hand side saw the ball move quickly down this exciting new look back line. Like a text book training drill Armstrong, Johnson, and Ashworth drew their men and passed it on to the supporting player. Fullback Healey sprinted into the attacking line, took the ball off Ashworth and within a split second off loaded the ball with superb skill to the waiting Wroe who went round and under the posts for his second try of the half. Armstrong this time adding the extra’s to make it 27-0. The kirk defence held strong with Johnson and Ashworth constantly knocking their men back. But still Littleborough attacked, and with this came some poor discipline from Kirk giving away far too many The easy yardage that kirk gave away led to a try for the visitors to make it 27-5 at half time.
The half time team talk brought some stern words from coach Harland, not wanting to get carried away he had to bring the Green Lane men down to earth and ready for the next 40 minutes. With a warning that all 7 substitutes would be on within 20 minutes the starting 15 had to make a mark and prove that they deserve to be in the starting line up week in week out. Within 10 minutes of the restart the kirk forwards carried the ball well into the visitors half. After some good angles of running from James Illingworth, Armstrong and Little worked the pack round the field showing that they were the fitter side. From 10 metres out Armstrong fed the ball to Andy Wroe who used his power to brush the full back off and score right in the corner to complete his hat trick.
As promised, the 7 substitutions were made and all made an impact. A change of personnel brought a mixed last 20 minutes, debutant Paul Skett scored a good try slicing through the tired defence, Whalley adding the extras. As the rain became heavier, the game turned a bit scrappy .and slower The visitors scored a consolation try to make the final score 39-10.
A good start to the season, but still a lot of hard work to be done on first up tackles and taking care of their own ball in contact was the message from the changing room. The lads were all satisfied with their efforts and will look forward to the next round of the plate.
Ormskirk are lucky enough to have a bye in the first round of the EDF cup this Saturday, so there is a possibility of a friendly match ( to be confirmed) then the league season starts on the 13th September away at Bowden. If they play like this at Bowden there are happy times ahead for the kirk faithful.
Team: Blackwood, Wilson, Gatley, Kirkby, Mahood, Molyneux, Roberts, Davis, Little, Armstrong, Illingworth, Johnson, Ashworth, Wroe, Healey.
Subs all used: Hutchings, Bowling, Whalley, Skett, Lambie, Bennett, Wright.
