Sandbach 3rds 15 Ormskirk 3rds 20
21st October 2006
Things couldn’t get much worse after last week when ‘kirk allowed themselves to be rolled over after leading 12 - 0 at half time. They say that lightning doesn’t strike twice, but today it came surprisingly close.
Ormskirk Thirds arrived at Sandbach with the same positive attitude that they carry in to each game, regardless of the previous week’s performance, an attitude that infects all those who play any part in the irrepressible 3rd XV. With clear skies and a mild 14 degree air temperature the scene was set for a good day of rugby. Ormskirk’s line up was probably one of the strongest seen so far this season, by virtue of the fact thateverybody was playing in a position that was familiar to them.
‘Kirk started the game playing up the hill and into a light breeze and for the first 10 - 15 minutes tested out the opposition to see where they might gain an advantage. Once again it became obvious that up front Kirk were the slightly better side with a unit of men that play better as each week goes by – some would say they are able to communicate telepathically!
Some nip and tuck rugby saw Sandbach’s opportunities thwarted by strong defensive tackling by the ‘kirk back row and the whole back line. After strong work up front ‘kirk had possession just outside the Sandbach 22, vision and great distribution from Essex led to full back Hesketh joining the line and with a couple of jinks and shuffles - and one outrageous dummy - he scored under the posts. Liversidge duly added the extras.
Sandbach rallied and came back at ‘kirk who defended by playing to their strengths, using the rolling maul to great effect. A referee with vision needs to be mentioned as he could well have been man of the match, always up with play the abiltiy to move around rucks and mauls to spot offences - if only there were more like him! Anyway he spotted an infringement by a Sandbach forward which led to another 3 points for ‘kirk. Sandbach could only manage a drop goal in response after the first 40. Half time arrived and Povey and Blood remimded everyone of last week’s capitulation “We are not letting that happen today”.
The second half started well enough again the forwards working well together supplying good ball for the back, Vosloo and Clewes forming a good partnership in the centre. After rumbling the ball close to the try line Newton managed to get over to make it 15 - 3. Sandbach again rallied and were always looking to break quick and get the ball out to their backs, on one such occasion their attack broke down and from the resulting scrum Essex made a break and ran 80 yards only to be caught a yard from the try line, a try would have put ‘kirk out of sight, unfortunately he was penalised for holding on.
This sparked Sandbach into life and with 11 minutes on the clock they suddenly started to play with a bit of flair, belief and commitment, something that was draining from the ‘kirk side of the pitch. From two quick penalties Sandbach had scored twice, one converted, the score was now 15 a piece, the storm clouds gathered above…….were ‘kirk destined to throw it all away again?
From the kick off and with 3 minutes to go Kirk played like men possessed, how could they go back to the club having lost the same way again. They charged down the pitch and attacked down the right flank resulting in a scrum to ‘kirk about 10 metres out. Chapman picked up at 8 and set up the ruck which was spoilt by Sandbach illegally. A penalty to Kirk, Critchley wanted to have a go at goal but Blood who was captain for the game knew better and elected to take a scrum. Again Chapman picked up and set up the ruck only this time Newton got his hands on the ball saw a gap and bulldozed his way over to score.
3 minutes to go could kirk hang on. Actually there was no need to worry that score had killed Sandbach off and the three minutes passed quite easily for kirk and the ended to scenes of jubilation between the kirk players. The result sees kirk rise again to 4th in the table and was much needed back at Green Lane were the days scoreboard looked a bit dismal until Blood returned to post the only win of the day.
