Ormskirk U13 14pts - Preston Grasshoppers U13 41pts
After a morale-boosting win at Fleetwood it was back to Green Lane for a rare home fixture against a big Preston side.
This was always going to be a tough game, as this Preston side is renowned for its large pack of forwards. They didn’t disappoint the travelling support and played a very simple but effective game - driving it short and either rucking or mauling the ball up the pitch. Now and again they gave the ball to their backs, but this was the exception rather than the norm. Ormskirk’s plan was simple - get the ball out wide and use the pace of the back three: wingers Dawson and O’Brien and full back Bailie. Unfortunately, due to the power of the Preston pack, these opportunities were few and far between. Two scores down after 10 minutes didn’t look good, the writing was on the wall etc…. But then up stepped Eddie Webster who stole the ball from the lineout on half way, burst through and set off past five tacklers to score a great try, duely converted by Jonny Dunn. Preston came back with two more tries and although Ormskirk did get the ball to Dawson a few times, the home pack struggled to support him and chances went begging. Ormskirk began the second half still in a positive mood and very soon were right back in the game after scoring the try of the match and their best of the season so far. The ball was won deep in their half and move well down the backs, the forwards set up a ruck and quick ball moved left, Gavin Griffiths showed great pace and strength to outstrip three defenders and passed to the supporting Liam Peate who blistered down the wing and round under the posts to put the home side 14-20 behind.
Preston then turned the screw and their No.8 powered his way over for two tries, before the pack secured the win with another well worked rucking move which saw holes continually punched in the Ormskirk defence, which improved greatly as the game went on, until the pressure created space for the big second row to force his way over the line for the third of the three converted tries.
Mention must go the inexperienced Ormskirk players Alex Finn, Alex Fitzpatrick and Daniel Price who learned all about forward play the hard way. Aidan Charlton battled all afternoon and led his pack well, with Steve Maloney having arguably his best game. Adam Kirk kept his backs moving all afternoon even though they had only about 25% of the possession. A score that flattered Preston somewhat but didn’t take anything away from a great display of how a pack should play. Ormskirk will not play many better teams this season and is weas to their credit that they never gave up.
