Having started this season with maximum points from their 3 group games in the Lancashire Cup the under 13s were keen to extend this with their next game against Bolton. Never having played against Bolton it was to be a journey into the unknown. Playing with almost a full strength line-up Ormskirk were keen and eager to get on with the game. The opposition looked a strong outfit with some big players in their pack.
After a few initial skirmishes Bolton made the first telling attack of the game. Some good work by their forwards allowed the ball to find its way to their No.8 who charged to the line but was well tackled just a yard or so short and the ball was well stolen by flanker Harry James. Ormskirk,relieved by their early let off, soon gained territory and only excellent tackling by the Bolton players kept winger Olly Hogan out. Alas for the visitors Ormskirk’s continued pressure led to the first try. The ball was well won in the centre of midfield and was whipped out wide to Olly Hogan who burst through a couple of dispairing tackles to go in near the corner.
Bolton quickly put this disappointment behind them and again came charging back into the game. They were desperately unlucky not to score when they actually got over the try-line but the player failed to ground the ball properly. To rub salt in the wounds from the resultant scrum Ormskirk moved the ball downfield for second rower Jake Shinner to go over near the corner for the second try. Bolton again were not prepared to give up and using their strong forwards drove over from a well set up maul on the Ormskirk line to score. With the conversion going over it only left a narrow three point margin. However from the kick-off Bolton momentarily switched off which allowed Jake Shinner to pounce once more and barge through for his second try of the game.
Half-time: Ormskirk 15   Bolton 7Â
Ormskirk started the second half as they had finished the first by attacking the Bolton line. Soon this pressure was rewarded as the ball was spun out wide for Olly Hogan to go over for his second of the game and giving ‘kirk a useful lead. However with still only a thirteen point gap, Bolton realised that two converted tries would give them the spoils and so followed a long period of pressure for Ormskirk. Fortunately everyone stuck to their task and no matter what Bolton threw at the Ormskirk defence they held firm. The Ormskirk defence was typified by a bone crunching tackle late in the game by Craig Ennis who drove into their fly-half as he attempted to jink his way through the line and dumped him unceremonially on his backside. Ormskirk having weathered the storm allowed themselves one final attack but winger Tom Anderson was well tackled and with it went the final chance of the match.
Full-time: Ormskirk 20  Bolton 7
With a four try to one try superiority it appears a one sided game but in reality this was not the case. Ormskirk took their tries well but Bolton were unlucky on a couple of occasions and only brave tackling on the line kept them out. The under 13’s have played a lot better this season but the lads ground out a well deserved victory today leaving them in an excellent position in their group and a realistic chance now of qualifying for the cup quarter finals.
