First XV Match Report – 15.12.07
SOUTPORT 16-0 ORMSKIRK
Having beaten Southport earlier in the season Ormskirk were in a confident mood going into this fixture at Waterloo Road. Hopes were dashed however, when the home team put on a display of strong running and dominated the game in terms of possession, ultimately thwarting the Green Laners in their quest of a ‘double’ over their local rivals.
Kirk knew the game would be played up-front by Southport and despite some excellent tackling from flankers Adi Molyneux and Ben Davis Southport used their big runners to make ground. Kirk spent nearly all the first forty minutes pinned in their own half and Southport capitalised by kicking two penalties to take an early 6 point lead. Kirk’s misery was then compounded when Southport’s winger broke through the defence, eventually scoring under the posts.
The fact that Ormskirk were playing with one man down made conditions even more difficult. Hooker, Andy Wilson was sent to the sin-bin - some would argue a little unfairly - for stamping on a Southport player who was on the wrong side of a ruck and killing the ball. From then onwards the rub of the green seemed to go against Ormskirk, and to their credit, Southport played a game that made it difficult for Kirk to stamp any authority of their own on the match.
The only aspect of the game which Kirk seemed to be competing in was at the ruck. Credit should go to the forwards for their hard work around the fringes. But losing set piece ball especially in the line-out, plus the high penalty count, would be Ormskirk’s downfall and the half time whistle couldn’t come soon enough.
The second half produced more of the same. Ashworth and Curly made valiant efforts to keep the Southport centres quiet. Webster would come off the bench to do the same and the back three, Spengler, Wroe and Healy all made some good runs. But where in recent weeks Kirk would have scored there was a missing spark and for the first time in years Kirk failed to score a single point.
Captain Kirby was disheartened and requested a more Viking Warrior-esque performance for next week’s cup tie against Sefton. The team will need to produce it if they are to progress in the competition.
