Sunday 2nd March 2008
Ormskirk RUFC Mini and Junior Section were hosts to 4 different age groups in the “BLACKSTICKS BLUE” Junior Challenge ¼ finals.
The Under 13’s ,14’s, 15’s and Under 16 1st XV faced opposition from Leigh
RUFC, Broughton Park RUFC, Broughton Park RUFC and Waterloo RUFC respectively. The game between Ormskirk Under 16 2nd XV had already been conceded by Blackpool RUFC who were unable to field a team.
The threatened rain did not materialise, although the high wind did make for some difficult play during the mornings procedures.
Due to the lack of space, and available pitches, the Under 15’s had to play their game at Edgehill University so giving away a certain amount of home advantage. The proceedings kicked off with the U13’s and U14’s at 10.30am, the U15 (at edgehill) at 11.00am and finally the under 16’s at 12.30pm. It was nice to see so many spectators at Green Lane, considering the bitterly cold wind and the fact that it was “Mothering Sunday”.
Jenny, Pat and Ruth in the kitchen kept the bacon butties flowing with hot drinks, so providing some inner warmth to the watching hordes.
Ormskirk U13’s 30* vs Leigh U13’s 0
Ormskirk under 13’s were looking forward to this Lancashire plate quarter final against old rivals Leigh. Conditions at Green Lane were not ideal as a strong swirling wind made conditions for both sides difficult. Ormskirk started the game well and within minutes were a try to the good.Excellent work by the pack provided a platform for Craig Ennis to make a telling break before offloading to Olly Hogan to score the first points.After this the tries came at regular intervals as the ‘Kirk pack dominated proceedings. Winger Tom Anderson picked up a brace in quick succesion after the forwards had provided good possesion. This was followed by the second of the game for Olly Hogan after a nicely worked move along the back line. To round the game off full back Matt White ran half the length of the field into the corner before being illegally tackled on the line and a penalty try being awarded.With excellent kicking by Graham Bishop and Matt White, Ormskirk eased to an impressive 30-0 victory and the reward of a semi-final place in 2 weeks time.
Ormskirk under 13’s were looking forward to this Lancashire plate quarter final against old rivals Leigh. Conditions at Green Lane were not ideal as a strong swirling wind made conditions for both sides difficult. Ormskirk started the game well and within minutes were a try to the good.Excellent work by the pack provided a platform for Craig Ennis to make a telling break before offloading to Olly Hogan to score the first points.After this the tries came at regular intervals as the ‘Kirk pack dominated proceedings. Winger Tom Anderson picked up a brace in quick succesion after the forwards had provided good possesion. This was followed by the second of the game for Olly Hogan after a nicely worked move along the back line. To round the game off full back Matt White ran half the length of the field into the corner before being illegally tackled on the line and a penalty try being awarded.With excellent kicking by Graham Bishop and Matt White, Ormskirk eased to an impressive 30-0 victory and the reward of a semi-final place in 2 weeks time.
Ormskirk U14’s 37* vs Broughton Park U14’s 7
Ormskirk kicked off this tie with the knowledge that if they played to their potential then they could well win. After a 29-17 victory over the visitors earlier in the season, hopes were high, but also wary of a Broughton Park team that had a decent set of forwards.
All concerns were soon blown away as a windy day saw the Ormskirk side progress to the semi’s with a comprehensive destruction of a spirited Broughton Park side that were chasing shadows all morning but finished the match with a try of character, long after the game was over.
Ormskirk’s first score came in an odd way as the forwards created a great platform, as they did all match, for Cecil Fairhurst to charge through the defence and although tackled over the try line, the forwards drove over the ball for Jonny Dunn to score the easiest try ever as he simply picked the ball up off the floor, saw he was over the try line and put it down again, 5-0!
Eddie Webster, captain for the day, celebrated his deserved inclusion in the Lancashire u14 side by powering his way under the posts after 6 minutes to score, with Chris Nicholson adding the extras. Another great passage of play saw the ball driven on by the forwards and then George Lightfoot broke blind and fed Aaron Cheung, the powerful winger brushed through three tacklers to score. Lightfoot then on the score sheet as he once again exploited space down the blind side to go over in the corner. 22-0 at half time with the wind was a good return but it was important to keep the momentum going and not let the visitors gain any foothold. Another charging run by Cecil, one of many, shattered the defence – what greater sight is there than a prop battering through would be tacklers? The mayhem caused by his 30m charge left acres of space for Eddie Webster to take the ball wide and use his pace to score in the corner. Cecil scored a much deserved and well applauded try as, like a moose in full flight, he took four tacklers with him over the line. No tropical juice with bits this week, just good old H2O was the fuel that powered the No.1.
Lightfoot got on the score sheet again as he drove down the short side near the posts with Nicholson adding another conversion. Broughton Park then suddenly used their forward power to great effect as they kept possession for over five minutes driving the ball close with tons of support that eventually resulted in a converted try near the posts. This game would have surely been closer if they had used this tactic earlier, but to be fair, Ormskirk played with such intensity from the first whistle that the visitors never had any possession of any note to try and mount anything like a sustained attack.
The final score of the game typified their stranglehold on proceedings as they won the ball, drove it on in the forward, with loads of support runners, before giving the ball to the backs, who handled the ball brilliantly to provide Webster with his hat trick and rounded off a great team performance
Thanks to sponsors Kammac plc and Marksman International for providing a new kit for the team.
Ormskirk U15’s 30* vs Broughton Park U15’s 5
Ormskirk under 15s played there 1/4 final at Edgehill University today against Broughton Park from Manchester. The game started well for Ormskirk, scoring in the first 5 minutes, and continuing to dominate and play some good open rugby. Alex Jones and Craig Maxwell added to the scoreline with two well worked tries.Just before half time Broughton Park scored their only try, making the score 15-5. In the second half, Ormskirk dominated the game with Joe Hodson scoring a hat-trick of tries and Oliver Griffiths scoring 2. Ormskirk won the match in fine style, to progress to the semi-final stage of the “Blacksticks Blue Junior Challenge”. The scoreline shows that this was a determined effort by the Home side, and they left the field of play a proud and happy bunch of team-mates. Man of the Match was Oliver Griffiths
Ormskirk U16’s 1st XV 30* vs Waterloo U16’s 0
On what was quite possibly the windiest day of the year, what has become the annual cup derby match took place.
The major question that was on everyone’s lips was what trick would Waterloo try this year. On top of this Ormskirk lost first choice players at 9, 10, 12 & 13 if there was a day for an upset then this was it.
Waterloo did not disappoint, they didn’t turn up at Green lane until 10 minutes before kick off and then announced that despite having a 20+ squad they could not field a front row. It was pointed out that this was a breach in competition rules. Waterloo would not accept this saying it was not in the rules, the silence from Waterloo was deafening when Ormskirk Lead Coach Donny Sutherland produced a copy of the rules. In the interests of fair play Ormskirk agreed to play the match despite the breach of rules.
Ormskirk coaching staff asked the players to start with a bang, and despite no meaningful scrum platform and the wind making the line out a lottery, Ormskirk dominated possession, territory and the scoreboard. Some wonderful & expansive team rugby was served up with the game being finished on the 30 minute mark, as Ormskirk had reached the maximum permitted score.
Tries from Darryl Bold, Chris Thompson, Peter Reston, Alex Martland, Jack Calveley (2), Tom Wright with John Pape adding 5 extras.
Once again, a clinical performance from a side that finds it hard to get good competitive rugby such is their reputation of success.
Thank you to all the volunteers who gave their time up to make sure the day was a success, including Skelmersdale and Southport College for providing the First Aid Cover. (Hope it didn’t interfere to much with your social life Emma!!!)
A huge thank you to all the Spectators who braved the biting wind to support the boys in their efforts.
Also thanks have to go to Christine and Graham Martland for the succulent chicken wings and legs…..More Please!!
And also a big thanks to the boys of the U16’s 2nd XV who came down to support their mates in the first team.
Thanks also to all those who bought a team in the prize draw, and congratulations to Mick Halliday and Eric who walked off with the prizes. Another £60 into the Mini and Junior Funds….Thank you all.
And lastly it was nice to see Harry Leary, our Club President, hot foot from North American shores, I hope you have thawed out by now Harry!!
I’m sure that everyone will agree that the day was a huge success and we are all looking forward to Sunday 16th March to see the U16’s 1sts and 2nds play in their respective semi-finals.
Thanks once again
Dudley Valentine
Chairman
Mini and Junior Section
