Ormskirk u14 24pts - Warrington u14 8pts
Ormskirk won their fourth on the trot and welcomed two more additions to the growing squad, against a spirited side from Warrington in the first fixture between the two sides. Warrington came to play rugby and did for most of the game, with a set of backs that handled the ball well and a fly half not afraid to use the boot. Although the backs moved the ball well, they never looked like scoring past the Ormskirk defence who put in some thumping tackles, Notably wing Alex Morrell who flattened his opposite winger three times, and Chris Nicholson, captain for the day against his old side.
But it was the try scoring machine Gavin Griffiths who led the home side to victory with four more tries taking his tally to 20. The first came after a good passing movement to the wing, Alex Morrell showing great pace before being tackled, but in only his second game, had the awareness to slip the ball to the supporting Griffiths who outstripped the defence to score, Jonny Dunn adding the extras. From a scrum on half way, a determined No.8 pickup from Aidan Charlton saw him break down the blind side and time his pass perfectly for Gav to go in the corner. A high tackle from Ormskirk under their posts gave Warrington a great attacking platform, but as they were yet to beat a man, they chose to take the three points and made the half time scroe 12-3.
The second half ebbed and flowed with both sides seeing good periods of possession, but it was Griffiths who nipped in from good ruck ball to score by the posts, Kirk adding the extras with a drop-goal conversion as he couldn’t be bothered waiting for the kicking tee! Showing great character, Warrington came back with a well worked try, a planned move saw their fly half kick wide for the speedy right winger to collect the ball and score in the corner - a deserved try for all their effort.
As the visitors threatened to score again, Ormskirk won a scrum on their own line and the ball was passed to Griffiths to clear the lines as it was the last play, however, he had other ideas as he sidestepped two Warrington players and made some room for one of his famous howitser kicks. As the defence relaxed he thought he’d have a little run, which turned into a length of the pitch sprint to score a wonderful try and round off a good display in a very enjoyable game.
Well done to debutants Matthew Sloyan and Joe Wright who impressed, and major thanks to Jack Morris-Holland for playing out of position for two thirds of the match. Mention also to George Lightfoot who again had a good game in the back row, but was rather subdued - probably due to the non-appearance of his harem who certainly spurred him on last week!
A sterner task awaits next week at Aldwinians in the Lancashire Junior Trophy.
Tries - G.Griffiths (4). Cons - J.Dunn, A.Kirk
Team: M.Sloyan, M.Tasker, J.Morris-Holland (C.Fairhurst, 40), M.Swords, D.Price (M.Bradbury, 40), S.Maloney, G.Lightfoot, A.Charlton, J.Dunn, J.Ford (S.Brazier, 25), C.Nicholson (c), G.Griffiths, A.Morrell (C.Boylan, 25), D.Bailie (J.Ford, 35)
