Duk fried as Ormskirk keep up their good run

Mar 21 2013 by Our Correspondent, Ormskirk Advertiser

ORMSKIRK entertained Dukinfield this week at Green Lane.

With Captain Prytherch keen for his side to build on the run of good performances and the narrow defeat to league leaders Sefton at Green Lane the week before.

It was Kirk who troubled the scoreboard first. After a period of sustained pressure, Dukinfield were adjudged offside at the ruck, with centre Olly Griffiths duly dispatching the resulting penalty, 3-0 at 10 minutes.

Dukinfield started to build some pressure and after a dubious penalty decision going against two time player of the year, No. 8 Glyn Roberts, Dukinfield managed to gain some territory.

It was Dukinfield who were next to score. A long field kick was put in by the Dukinfield fly-half which left Ormskirk's back three in a state of disarray.

Full back Luke Parker, the ex-County under 20, failed to adequately deal with the kick which resulted in a converted score for the visitors, 7-3 on 17 minutes.

With Ormskirk attacking at every opportunity, yet again No,8 Roberts was at the scene of the action.

With the back row forward starting to become dominant in contact, it was no surprise that the robust forward had to leave the field with a nasty gash to his head.

This enforced temporary blood replacement brought second row powerhouse Dean into the arena for another first XV cap.

Dukinfield attempted to clear their lines at every opportunity; such was the pressure that Kirk were applying.

In No. 8 Dan Hitchlock's absence, young second row Aidan Charlton was having a fine game. Charlton was a constant nuisance in the line-out, disrupt Dukinfield's line out on numerous occasions.

When the visitors did manage to clear their lines, full-back Parker, keen to make up for his earlier fumble which had led to Dukinfield's earlier try was always running the ball back with interest and vigour. On one particular run on 30 minutes, Parker made 50 yards defeating three would-be tacklers at ease, much to the delight of the Green Lane faithful. Second row Charlton, as well as bossing the set piece was a constant threat in attack.

The immense Gorst took a great line and with three defenders to beat, smashed his way over under the sticks leaving a trail of Dukinfield defenders in his wake. Griffiths added the conversion.

From the restart it was again Charlton who made inroads into the Dukinfield half. The youngster made 50 yards beating defenders at ease before putting in a deft right foot chip to put the visitors full back under pressure. With Dukinfield just managing to secure possession, it was winger Hodson who got pulled into a ruck by the Dukinfield second row. With the penalty awarded, centre Griffiths slotted an easy penalty to take the Gingerbread Men into a 13-7 half time lead.

Coach Sutherland gave a rousing interval speech highlighting the importance of the contact area and how it must be cleared quicker.

With Dukinfield starting to use their heavyweight forwards they scored next on 42 minutes. Ormskirk failed to deal with a line out close to their own line and Dukinfield managed to rumble over for the score after a well set and managed driving maul. With the conversion missed, 13-12 to Ormskirk at 45 minutes.

The score seemed to wake up the shell shocked Ormskirk, who immediately went on the attack.

Dukinfield tried to smash up the centre of the park, however Kirk centre Ben McCarthy put a thunderous tackle on his opposite man sending him flying. It was again McCarthy who was instrumental in the next score, the young centre breaking in the midfield before offloading expertly to wing Hodson.

Hodson made 20 yards, beating two defenders before off-loading to the ever present Charlton.

Charlton cut inside, weathered the two Dukinfield tacklers challenges, before offloading to the arch poacher open side flanker Rothwell who touched down neatly, with the conversion pushed just wide by Griffiths, 18-12 at 47 minutes.

Kirk were pressing for more points and with continued pressure it was yet again the aggressive winger Hodson who scored. After another fine break by centre McCarthy, the youngster fixed the last line of defence before offloading to Hodson who finished neatly, Prytherch added the extras, 25-12 on 62 minutes.

Straight from the restart Kirk attacked again, the Gingerbread Men in full flight now.

After more good work by McCarthy, he off loaded to Parker at full-back who joined the line at speed.

Parker took the ball beautifully, fixed his man before off-loading to winger Spengler who produced a wonder try from some 70 yards out.

The youngster went on a mesmerising run and with pure speed finished neatly in the corner. Captain Prytherch slotted a touch line conversion, much to his own surprise and it was now becoming a rout, 30-12 at 72 minutes.

It was Kirk who had the last say on a fine afternoon of 'total' rugby at Green Lane and it was fitting that Man of the Match, second row Charlton, was the one who sealed it.

After a great passage of play down the nearside touchline with backs and forwards off-loading well, Charlton found himself in space. The youngster accelerated onto a great offload and cantered in to cap off a fine performance.

With Prytherch slotting a fantastic touchline conversion, the referee halted proceedings with a resounding, 37-12 victory for Ormskirk.