After a highly succesful awards evening the weekend before the under 14’s took to the field for one last time this season against Northampton Boy’s Brigade Old Boys RFC who were on tour in Lancashire.With Dave Jones hard at work on the internet it was obvious from their website that this team would provide stern opposition not having been beaten since Christmas and scoring over 70 points in their last game! However with morale high after winning The Aldwinian’s Tournament, Ormskirk were in a confident mood and were keen to end the season on a winning note.
Both teams took to the field experiencing all sorts of weather in a 5 minute period, from heavy rain to warm sunshine.Never having experienced a home game on a Saturday this was a first for the Under 14’s and their friends and families. Northampton started the game and an excellent kick found its way into touch and an early attacking line-out.Obviously The Old Boys were keen to take advantage of their excellent position but a thumping tackle by Marcus Rylance led to a knock on and an attacking scrum.Craig Ennis broke well and set off on a super run down the touch.A great Old Boys tackle saw ‘Kirk hekd up but the ball was neatly off-loaded to Kyle Hoy superbly backing up as always. Ormskirk were awarded a penalty but a hefty tackle saw a knock-on allowing The Old Boys to clear their lines.’Kirk seemed to be enjoying some healthy possession but some uncharacteristic handling errors in midfield saw them lose the ball several times.Finally ‘Kirk broke the deadlock. Adam Selfe neatly took a high clearance and drove the ball back into the opposition’s ‘22′ and from the breakdown the ball was re-cycled to Craig Ennis to go over for the first score. From the Kick-off The Old Boys moved up a gear and started to look a real threat. A fine move was only thwarted by an excellent tackle by Adam Selfe at full-back.However Northampton  were not finished and a good move by the forwards saw them break through the defence to score a try and then neatly converted to put them two points up. It was obvious that this was going to be a tough game.From the kick-off ‘Kirk secured possession and before long Tom Povey found a slight gap in the opposition’s defensive line. Just before reaching the try-line a superb chase and tackle caught Tom but keeping his cool he off-loaded to Craig Ennis for him to go over for his second try of the game.Northampton again won some good territory but ‘Kirk held firm and somehow managed to clear their lines and win a scrum just ten metres out.The Old Boys were penalised and Tom Povey ended the half by slotting over the penalty kick.
Half-time: Ormskirk 13    Northampton 7
Ormskirk kicked off the second half keen to hang on to their slender lead and soon found themselves in the opposition ‘22′ but again a forward pass saw a promising position squandered. Considering the size of the Northampton pack it would probably be true to say that ‘Kirk were dominating the set pieces with good work from Arron Waggoner,Sam Elesedy, Andy Jones and Tom Travis in the front row. The game soon became an arm wrestle in midfield with neither side unable to gain the upper hand.Eventually the deadlock was broken with a fine break out try by one of the Northampton  forwards and converted as well, leaving the Opposition two points up with just minutes to play. With the game looking dead and buried ‘Kirk had just one play left.A well won scrum saw the ball swung out by scrum half Matty Jones to Tom Povey who slipped into top gear and sprinted through a tiring Northampton defence to score the winning try converted by Mike Quirk.
Full-time: Ormskirk 20  Northampton 14
This was a great advert for junior rugby with both sides playing with passion and determination yet always within the rules, a testament to the style of coaching offered by both sides. What Ormskirk lacks in facilities it always more than makes up for with its hospitality and Northampton were treated to a barbecue,big game entertainment on the large TV’s as well as some light hearted drinking games for the lads. I hope that Northampton enjoyed their time down here at Ormskirk RUFC as much as we enjoyed having them and who knows we may see them again in the future.Finally before I sign off for the summer just a couple of things to end with:- Hopefully Frankie Sharrat will be ok after having to be taken to hospital part way through the second half after a knock to the shin, secondly it was good to see Tom Anderson in the club house after just being released from hospital after a weeks stay following an operation and finally a big thank-you to John Hoy who spent half the afternoon sweating over a hot barbecue to ensure everyone was well fed.Â
