Blacksticks Blue u14 Lancashire Plate Final
Ormskirk u14s 0pts – Vale of Lune u14s 17pts
Ormskirk travelled to Manchester confident of a good performance in the Plate final. Although having lost 22-10 to Vale earlier in the season, they were in a rich vein of form and were looking to upset the favourites. While the score line flattered Vale, in the end it was the best team on the day that triumphed.
Ormskirk never really got their pack into top gear and their stuttering display provided little quality ball for their exciting back division. Facing a strong wind, pinned down by some astute kicking from the Vale no.10 and powerful driving from a very physical set of forwards, Ormskirk tried on numerous occasions to break out of defence as kicking for position was a forlorn exercise.
Good tackling kept a few forward rushes out, but the pressure finally told as the Vale pack drove over near the posts for a converted try. Ormskirk were hanging on, and if they could prevent Vale from adding to their lead, then there was hope for the second half. But shortly before the break, a flowing move saw them exploit the Ormskirk defence out wide and their speedy winger forced his way over in the corner.
The second half continued with Ormskirk failing to dominate in the forward exchanges and thus the attacks from deep became the only real outlet for Ormskirk. Vale tackled Ormskirk’s dangerous runners Eddie Webster and Gavin Griffiths well and although there were a few half chances, the team were unable to create any clear scoring opportunities. As they tired from a very physical battle, Vale sealed their win with a try in the dying seconds.
Disappointment for Ormskirk, but with 10 new players this season, the squad is in a far stronger position than it was this time last year, and the boys desire to go one better next year was clearly evident after the match.
Team: M.Sloyan, M.Tasker, C.Fairhurst, D.Price, J.Morris-Holland, S.Maloney, G.Lightfoot, A.Charlton, J.Dunn, A.Kirk, D.Bailie, C.Nicholson, E.Webster, A.Cheung, G.Griffiths; M.Bradbury, J.Ford, S.Brazier, A.Morrell, M.Swords, J.Wright
