Whilst the 3rds and 4ths were battling it out for the Jack Call Cup back at HQ Green Lane, a combined First/Second team squad travelled to Manchester to take part in the Didsbury Toc H 10s Tournament.
16 teams were split into 4 leagues - the winners of which would contest for the Cup, the runners-up for the Plate. After a gruelling three matches, ‘kirk had won two and lost one, which put them up against Manchester University in the Plate semi-finals. The odds were against Ormskirk, who only brought 11 men, one of whom managed to injure himself in match one! The matches were all combative and energy-sapping, and Manchester had an average age of about 19. Nevertheless, the team spitit that has exemplified ‘kirk’s First and Second XV this year came to the fore. After Montrose (courtesy of some splendid work by Curly) and Healey had scored (a great solo effort) a try each - and Whalley converted both - the Uni could only reply with two trys and one conversion. A nail-biting end to the battle saw Manchester score in the corner with the last play of the game, to snatch victory by just three points.
Well done to all the lads - Dawson (Captain), Gately, Wilson, Pope, Bennett, Kearney, Healey, Whalley, Ashworth, Curly & Montrose. A great afternoon’s work in very humid conditions.
