Aldwinians u15Â 13pts - Ormskirk u15Â 11pts
After being swept aside 28-5 in this Lancs Junior Challenge fixture last season, Ormskirk were keen to show how well they had improved. They certainly did that and were ever so close to creating one of the upsets of the first group matches. That Aldwinians won with a converted try in the last three minutes illustrarates how far this side has progressed in 12 months.
The game was an excellent example of junior rugby, played at a frighteningly high pace with quality oozing from every player. This was a real ding dong battle where no quarter was asked or given, tackles flew in with a physicality that defied the age of the boys and was a very even contest controlled brilliantly by a referee who did not have to give one penalty for anything that may have resembled foul play - a great advert indeed.
The first half saw the two sides trading penalties with Chris Nicholson putting Ormskirk ahead twice only to be pegged back the home side’s no. 10. Ormskirk won thier fair share of ball from an inspired pack led by skipper Lightfoot and supported by Charlton and the ubiquitous Eddie Webster. One of the Aldwinian supporters actually thought Ormskirk had 16 players as Eddie seemed to be everywhere, either smashing people to the ground or making breaks with the ball in his hand. In the backs Gavin Griffiths and the speed brothers Morrell and Jones constantly asked questions of the home defence that stood firm under waves of attack, as did the Ormskirk line.
The second half saw more of the same as both sides probed for a winner. A fine drive from the forwards and great hands from the backs saw Aldwinians touch down over their line for a 5m scrum. Aidan Charlton broke off and drove over, but was held up. Another 5m scrum and this time he drove over and scored a fine try that Griffiths was unlucky not to convert from the touchline. As the game wore on, the pendulum swung one way and then the other, Griffiths and Webster both scythed through the home side’s defence but were both halted by Tahir El Mahid, Aldwinians outstanding full back who must be one of the best tacklers at this level. It looked like Ormskirk had done what they came to do, to compete and lay down a marker in the top group, but fate was against them as indecision from a scrum in their 22 saw Ormskirk surrender possession and Aldwinians made the extra man pay as they scored a well worked try close to the posts, the conversion put them two points clear. But Ormskirk swarmed back and in the last play an attempt at a long frop goal by Griffiths was knocked on by the home defence, but as this was the last play the referees whistle brought a great game to a close. A draw would probably have been a fair result, but Aldwinians admitted they had got out of jail and that Ormskirk were the best side in the day. The next game against Collegiate will be another tester!
