Burscough Priory Science College was the venue for Ormskirk’s home tie with Pendle U16s.
The match started with Ormskirk playing into a strong facing wind, and from the kick-off they took the attack to Pendle straight away. Pendle rallied their defence well, and kept Ormskirk at bay for the first 15 minutes, but handling errors and missed tackles saw Ormskirk on the back foot, and soon defending their line. On several occasions and with good reading of the game, Alisdair Valentine made what can only be deemed as try saving tackles. Matthew Palfreyman also gave a good account of himself making well disciplined moves, that unfortunately were not capitalised on by the by now tiring backs.
It was only strong defence that allowed Ormskirk to keep a clean sheet at the half-time whistle, as Pendle tried to break through.
The second half saw Coach Mitchell make several changes, to try and strengthen the attacking formation of the forwards, but one loss was definitely Dom Fieldsend, who, carrying a calf injury, was replaced, thus making the pack that bit lighter and weaker.
Pendle came out with renewed vigour and pressed home attack after attack, and were rewarded with a fine try, run in on the Ormskirk right wing by Danny Owen who also kicked a fine conversion. The restart saw Ormskirk once again deep in the Pendle half, but once again unforced errors allowed the visitors to gain an attacking advantage. Ormskirk gave away a penalty in the dying seconds of the game, and up stepped Danny Owen of Pendle once again to convert the kick into points.
Although this was a game of two halves with Ormskirk dominating the first 35 minutes and Pendle the second it was a game that could have been won by either side.
The victors spoils went to Pendle in the end, but Ormskirk have nothing to be ashamed of. Once again playing a team that has only one XV.
Man of the Match has to go to Danny Owen of Pendle, but a very special mention has to be made for the strong efforts of Danny McCormack who is going from strength to strength.
Ormskirk will have to up their game for their fixture next Sunday (25th) against Vale of Lune.
