First XV Match Report – 06.10.07
ORMSKIRK 15-29 WALLASEY
Having knocked Wallasey out of the Lancashire Cup several weeks earlier, and on the back of a winning streak, Ormskirk First team would start this fixture as favourites. After an impressive, explosive start to this match on a fine autumnal afternoon at Green Lane, it looked like Kirk could take the two league points on offer with a minimum of fuss.
The Kirk pack started by displaying immense power, controlling every set piece. Scrums were particularly strong, the trio of Rowley, Wilson and Pope forming the brick wall that was the front row. The forwards worked hard off the ball to punch ball up from sides of rucks and mauls giving fly-half Armstrong time and space to deploy his backs. After sucking in the Wallasey defence time and time again the backs spun it wide and blind-side winger Andy Wroe looped around out-side centre Jamie Gregg , taking the ball around the full-back, to score the first try of the afternoon.
The dominance from the home team wasn’t to last much longer after that and as Kirk relaxed their game, Wallasey lifted theirs. A mistake from Kirk’s half-backs just outside Kirk’s 22 gifted the visitors the chance to run the ball over the home team’s try line and shortly afterwards the scores were level at 7-7.
After the impressive start it seemed improbable that Ormskirk would lose the lead in this tie but Wallasey struck again, this time by setting up a ruck that was bulldozed over from a tap penalty which Kirk were pretty much asleep for. Half time came soon after and the Kirk players were left to reflect on how they would get back in the tie, captain Cliff Kirby and coach Phil Harland leading the discussion.
The dressing down in the interval worked and Kirk began the second half as they had the first, with strength and conviction. Territory came Kirk’s way and with the awarding of a penalty, which Armstrong slotted, Kirk clawed their way to 10-12. However, Wallasey had come to wreak the revenge for their cup exit and moments later lapse defence from the Green-Laners saw Wallasey extend their lead to 10-19. A penalty Kick from Wallasey took them to 10-22 and, as Kirk had done to them in the previous encounter, Wallasey started playing for fun running the ball from everywhere.
Not long after another converted try from the visitors - again from missed tackles – Ormskirk rallied and scored a good consolation try, Number 8 Kieran Mahood forcing his way over after a great driving maul, which was well deserved by the Kirk forwards after a super performance in many areas of the pitch. It proved too little too late though, and ‘kirk ended the match in a pretty disconsolate mood, knowing they should have done better.
Next week Kirk travel to St. Helens for the next round in the Senior Vase to face old rivals Ruskin Park, a much better performance will be needed if silverware ambitions are to be realised.
Team: Rowley (Gately 60), Wilson, Pope, Bennett (Davies 50), Kirby (Kearney 65), Molyneux, Roberts, Mahood, Armstrong, Ashworth, Gregg, Montrose, Wroe, Curley
