Ormskirk First XV v Ruskin Park (Home) Lost 23-26
April 14th 2007
For the final league game of the season Ormskirk played host to local rivals Ruskin Park. The Visitors turned up needing the victory to cement their place as league leaders otherwise they would only be promoted to the South Lancs & Cheshire League 1 as runners up. Having already suffered a heavy defeat against Ruskin before Christmas, the ‘kirk boys would have to muster all their skills and strength to avoid a repeat performance. It just so happened that the Ormskirk fans would be treated to a rip-roaring game on an afternoon when it wasn’t just the weather that was hot.
Ormskirk scooped the first points of the afternoon when Stone converted a penalty from just outside the opposition 22. The St. Helens outfit came back strong and despite an initial impressive defence from Kirk, Ruskin’s on form bulky fly-half punished the home team with a mesmerising run through several tackles, scoring under the posts – and then did it again with a carbon copy several minutes later. These scores meant the first team was staring down the barrel of a hammering early on in the first half.
Inspirational Captain Cliff Kirby offered more of his choice words which his men duly took on board. Ruskin had been playing some fine running rugby but it was clear that they couldn’t dominate the Kirk pack, largely due to man-mountain Paul Blackwood. To this end they began to irritate the referee who had no option to penalise them for misdemeanours. After an atrocious tackle on winger Tom Hopley - after which the Ormskirk player received a dose of concussion - a penalty kick was awarded. Cue The General, Ste Stone, who calmly slotted the second of his 3 penalty kicks of the afternoon. More was to come. Stone added a third penalty kick from just off the half way line, a feat that wouldn’t look out of place in the Guinness Premiership, bringing the score to 19-9.
Ruskin were clearly unsettled and Kirk were fired up. The defence was able to control Ruskin’s playmakers as the flankers Molyneux and Roberts put in some thunderbolt tackles. With Kirk’s pack taking control of the scrums it provided ideal ball for Ormskirk backs to utilise. When Stone took the ball from one such scrum he passed to Ashworth, who using some nifty footwork manage to draw both centres and slip the ball to Rich ‘I think I’m too old for this but I’m not’, Underwood. Underwood sped off on a 20 yard dart feeding Andy Wroe who was just caught short. Kirk’s back row, Molyneux, Kirby and Roberts were on hand to recycle possession, getting good ball to scrum-half Healy. Distributing to Stone and with the visitors defence in tatters Stone launched a pass out to left wing Jamie Gregg. A darting run around a Ruskin player gave allowed Gregg the time to come back on himself and score under the sticks. Stone added the conversion and going into half time there was real belief that Ormskirk might just be able to pull off an upset that many wouldn’t have seen coming.
The second half was a tiring affair. Ruskin had run most of their ball in the first half but since Kirk were dominating the tackle situation they opted to kick for territory. This didn’t faze the home team. Wroe, Gordon and Little were happy to catch kicks down field and link up in counterattacks. When the ball did go out of play Kirk would produce some of their best lineout work of the season. Like a horse going over Beechers Brook at the Grand National Lenny Bennett - along with Roberts jumping at four - would leap and take ball after ball from hooker Graham Bowling. Possession was key and Ormskirk had much of it, it was just unfortunate that when Ruskin mounted one of their attacks from a ruck a 3 on 2 on the blind side left the home team vulnerable. Ruskin’s backs rarely miss those opportunities and they extended their lead to 26-16.
They were the last points Ruskin would score in the league. Davey Jones led Kirk’s defence at the side of the rucks whilst the backs spread themselves, this coupled with a contender for tackle of the season from player coach Adi Molyneux meant Ruskin wouldn’t be coming through again, but would Kirk be able to conjure up a comeback? It seemed possible as various members of the team took the initiative. When youngster Val Gately, who had had a tremendous first season with the first team, decided to go on a run bouncing off Ruskin defenders a neat passage of play was set up that involved the majority of the team. The back row recycled, Healy took it on and linked with Stone, Gordon carried it up the left wing and was brought down. Underwood and Little rucked Ruskin off, Healey found Roberts on his right, he drew his man and flipped it to Ashworth, finding Church and another ruck situation Kirk spread that ball out left again. This continual possession and recycling broke down but it was promising and set the stage for Kirk’s second try. Another passage of open play resulted in a quick ball being given to Stone who found flanker Roberts roaming around in the centre. Roberts saw a half chance and heading down his favourite route one managed to squeeze through Ruskin’s backs. Full-back Gaz Little shot though on his shoulder and a 2 on 1 against Ruskin number 15 saw Little scurry under the sticks. Stone added the conversion taking the score to 23-26.
With only minutes to spare Kirk tried everything in their power to keep the ball alive and run it back. But despite their best efforts the clock just wouldn’t allow it. Despite the fatigue and dehydration, when the final whistle went there was a feeling of pride amongst the Ormskirk First XV. No shame in losing to the league leaders, and by such a narrow margin. Coach Phil Harland was pleased with the team’s performance. The platform for next season is there and Kirk should be inspired by this performance despite the loss.
Team Blackwood (Church 65), Bowling, Jones, Bennett, Gately, Molyneux, Roberts, Kirby, Healy, Stone, Ashworth, Gregg (Little 60), Hopley (Underwood 5) , Gordon, Wroe
