Ormskirk 2nd XV 19 – 19 Glossop 2nd XV
3rd March 2007
Ormskirk welcomed Glossop to their first ever visit to Green Lane in what was billed as a must win game for both teams in a fiercely fought relegation battle. With 5 teams to be relegated from a 14 team league and Ormskirk lying 8th, in the last non relegation position and Glossop 2 points behind in 10th there was no margin for error.
Ged Dawson and Phil Armstrong rallied the troops in the pre-game warm up with the emphasis on discipline, control and playing percentage rugby. Once out on the field somehow the game plan went immediately out of the window and for the first 20 minutes Ormskirk attempted to play an open Barbarian style game with everyone trying to play as individuals when with the strong wind in their faces the game called for a tight forward orientated effort whilst preserving the backs for the second half when the game should open up allowing their youth and flair to succeed.
3 tries and 2 conversions to Glossop later and Ormskirk staring at a 19-0 deficit the reality suddenly sank in. Continue to play loose rugby and the game would be beyond redemption and relegation would be closer to reality. Suddenly the pack came to life with scrum half Angel urging them on and the front five grinding out vital yards and territory and the back row able to concentrate on controlling the fringes Glossop hardly saw a glimpse of the ball. Eventually Ormskirks efforts came to fruition with ever determined winger McKeown popping up between the half backs to take a crash ball and forcing his way through a gap in the defence and going over for a try from 30 yards out converted by Wroe.
An enforced half time change with veteran Brennan replacing the injured Angel did not change the new emphasis of play. With Brennan’s constant urging the forwards continued where they left off. Good ball allowed Armstong to pin the opposition back in their own half and it was only a matter of time before Ormskirk closed the gap. This was only achieved through the determination of props Rowley and Gateley and second row Buxton claiming the yardage in short bursts and the free running of the backs when the opportunity arose. Too often silly mistakes or over enthusiasm meant the vital score didn’t arrive. After a couple of tap penalties close to the line the gap was found on the blind side with Brennan spotting the opportunity to feed ‘Bull’ Rowley to force his way over for an unconverted try. Shortly after the restart the pack again showed their domination and this tied in the determined Glossop defence. With flanker Jackson lurking in the fly half position he breezed through the first line Glossop Defence and then turned on a pace which surprised the opposition and after rounding the fullback he scored a crucial try for Wroe to convert to level the scores.
The final 10 minutes saw an increasingly dominant Ormskirk force their way up the field but old heads in the Glossop pack constantly disrupted any chance of clean ball for Ormskirk to provide the killer punch. 2 long range penalty chances from Wroe were close but in the end everyone had to settle for a draw. Whilst not ideal, it maintains the status quo in the relegation battle but leaves a disappointed Ormskirk looking for the next opportunity to find the win and points that will help keep them in this competitive league, a level on the second half performance they deserve to enjoy.
