Ormskirk warmed up for next Sunday’s Lancashire Cup finals day at Liverpool St.Helens by participating in a 3 team mini tournament with Tarleton and Tyldesley.
In the first game Ormskirk took on local rivals Tarleton. After several weeks of fine sunny weather it was a shock to all concerned to see a fine drizzle blowing across the Carr Lane pitches as the teams arrived. The first half was a disappointment for both sets of spectators with far too many basic errors by both teams. With the pitch being very narrow no team could get into gear and make much territory and much of the action seemed to take place around the middle of the park. Just as it seemed no one was going to break the deadlock a surging run by Marcus Rylance set up Craig Ennis to score in the corner with Matt White adding the extras. At half time the coaches made a few changes and this seemed to spur Ormskirk on to better things. Slowly but surely ‘Kirk started to dominate open play and it was not long before the second try arrived. A long kick was well chased by Tom Povey who was rewarded for his long run with the ball bouncing wickedly away from the Tarleton full-back into his arms to score. Michael Lea took over the kicking duties and duly added the extras. As the game wore on Ormskirk started to play the rugby which the coaches know they are capable. Fly half Robbie Jones scored in the corner after another trademark quick tap penalty caught the opposition sleeping, Michael Lea converting. To finish the game off the forwards won the ball well from a lineout near the Tarleton line and hard working Tom Travis collected the ball and drove over for ‘Kirks fourth of the match converted by Michael Lea.
 Ormskirk 28 Tarleton 0
Unfortunately Tyldesley had not turned up with a full complement of players for the second game and so it was a mixed Tyldesley and Tarleton side that Ormskirk took on next. Ormskirk quickly got into their stride in this game and it was not long before the first points were on the board. After the forwards had won good ball at a maul, Robbie Jones made a quick break down the blind side and set up full back Matt White for a try in the corner, which he converted himself. Tom Povey rounded off a comfortable first half with a great angled run to score almost unchallenged in the corner converted by Matt White. The second half again gave the coaches the chance to mix the side around with centre Matthew Jones taking over at scrum half and allowing players such as Kallen Hoy and new boy Callum Bennett a chance to show their skills. Michael Lea was the first try scorer of the second period finishing off a nice move along the back line then converting it himself. The game ended with one final score with Matt White diving through a sea of legs to score his second of the game converted by Callum Bennett.
Ormskirk 28 Tyldesley/Tarleton 0
Although it was pleasing to win two games scoring good tries and also defending the line well the coaches all know that next week will be totally different as ‘Kirk take on the big guns of local rugby at The Lancashire Cup Finals Day over at Liverpool St.Helens.
