First XV Match Report – 17.03.07
Ormskirk 15 St. Edwards’ Old Boys 10
For the 4th Match in a row the Ormskirk first team took valuable points off their opposition, cementing their place in the South Lancs and Cheshire League II for another season. Saturday’s match was literally a game of 2 halves due to a strong down field wind blowing down-field. Electing to take the wind for the first half Captain Cliff Kirby led his men from the front opening the scoring after taking a good off-load from a Ste Stone break at Fly-half. Stone added the extras and Ormskirk looked in control.
The Ormskirk pack seemed unphased by their opposite numbers in the set plays and were able to turn over St Edwards ball with strong driving scrums, largely due to the strength of Mr. Paul Blackwood playing his 600th game of rugby for the Ormskirk first team – a remarkable achievement for the big man. With the wind making it difficult for the visitors to clear their lines Kirk were allowed to play the majority of the opening 40 minutes in enemy territory.
Points were not as easy to come by as had been anticipated so when Stone had the opportunity to kick for goal he took it, extending the lead to 10-0. As the weather conditions deteriorated the game became more and more of a forward’s affair and whilst Kirk’s Centres - Hutchings and Ashworth - would punch the ball up it was the pack who would have to work hard to keep possession. It was from a scrum several yards out that Kirk would pick up more points. With scrum-half Andy Healy dictating directions the pack drove St Edwards back and back leaving Kirby to rack up his second score of the afternoon. Half time came quickly and re-grouping Kirk knew the second half would be a real test with much of it battling to make ground against the gales of Green Lane.
As predicted St Edwards kicked for territory and Dicky Underwood - who had a relatively quiet first half at full-back - was kept more than busy, as were Tom Hopley and Nick Gordon on the wings. The high balls didn’t worry the back 3, so much so that Underwood would prefer to show his flair by running any kicks back to the opposition. This also allowed Gordon and Hopley to stretch their legs and when the 3 linked up good ground was made.
Unfortunately it was a constant struggle because any ground made by Kirk could be quickly negated by a simple kick over. St. Edwards had periods of good attacking play and when the ball got out to the wings they looked dangerous, unless Glyn Roberts was there to dump tackle them. When the half-backs took the ball in they were normally met by man mountain Ady Molyneux, by which time Andrew Dean and Jonny Bennett were there to clear out. The well practiced defence at the rucks worked tightly, as Youngster Val Gately and Dave Jones set guards either side. The constant battle would have to give sooner or later and 10 minutes from the end St Edwards managed to stretch Kirk, scoring in the corner. Another score 5 minutes later from a scrum took the scoreline to 15-10. Pressure was on Kirk to finish with no errors. This they managed and the final whistle was a welcome relief to all the squad. With only 2 league games left Ormskirk will be hoping that this rich vein of form will continue right to the end of the season.
