Even though snow was forecast the under 14s ventured North to old friends Vale of Lune. Owing to the inclement weather over recent weeks the lads were in desperate need of a good run out,having missed out on both training and matches.
The game started with both teams testing each other in midfield with neither side making much headway.It was not until there was ten minutes on the clock that ‘Kirk showed the hosts who we were,the forwards rucked well and drove up the middle of the pitch to within yards of the Vale line.The ball was unfortunately lost however but the resulting clearance was well caught under pressure by Pat Lloyd, who was standing in at fly-half, and he sprinted across he line for the game’s first try.Mike Quirk slotted home the conversion.
The game continued with both sides cancelling each other out.Vale however won some possession on the ‘Kirk ‘22′ and their flanker spotted a gap to go in and score their first try and the resulting conversion evened the score. It was following a Matty Jones kick that a good chase by Danny Holloran,Kyle Hoy and Arron Waggoner put Vale under the cosh again.The lads played through two cycles of play for Craig Ennis to pounce and score his first of the morning.
Half-time: Vale of Lune 7  Ormskirk 12
The second half gave an opportunity for those with fresh legs to make their contribution.In spite of the half-time changes the ‘Kirk pack continued to control the scrums and it was through this dominance that John Woods,Sam Elesedy and James Woods amongst others picked up and powered through flailing Vale tackles.It was from a Matty Jones box kick from within our own 22 metres line that provided the platform for Jamie Griffiths and Graham Bishop to race forward and put the home defence under immense pressure.The resulting scrum in the midfield allowed Craig Ennis to pick up and crab across the field to go in at the corner. The forwards continued to dominate with the ball being effectively re-cycled.
Opportunities for Vale were few and far between struggling against excellent Ormskirk pressure. The last score came from a penalty which was quickly taken by Arron Waggoner ,more good rucking gave Craig Ennis a further opportunity to power over the line.
Full-time: Vale of Lune 7  Ormskirk 22
With absentees through injury,illness and other commitments it again gave opportunities to other players who all successfully stepped up to the mark thus making team selection a really difficult process for the coaches to pick a starting XV –keep it up lads!
