Ormskirk lose first match of 2009

Feb 5 2009 by Our Correspondent, Ormskirk Advertiser

Ormskirk lose first match of 2009

ORMSKIRK suffered their first defeat of 2009 at Green Lane on Saturday.

Tries for Luke Parker and Gareth Little were not enough for Ormskirk to mount a serious challenge against the second-placed promotion chasers.

Widnes established an early lead after a penalty goal and a Gareth Riley try gave them a 10-point advantage.

Ormskirk responded with a try of their own as good work down the right wing by Andy Wilson and John Curley earned them possession in Widnes’ 22.

After the ball was recycled, a wide pass from John Armstrong found its way to Parker, on the left wing, who sidestepped his way over the line. Armstrong added the extras to make score 10-7.

With both sides struggling in the wind, Armstrong narrowly missed two penalty goals before the visitors scored two further tries to take control. Armstrong did manage to slot over one effort before the break, taking the score to 20-10 at half-time.

The start of the second-half followed suit as Ormskirk toiled away but lacked a cutting edge without number eight Ben Davis.

Widnes showed a more ruthless edge to their attacking play and crossed for three more tries in the second-half, with the impressive Riley at outside-centre completing his hat-trick.

Just as the home side’s chances of getting anything out of the game looked increasingly slim, Armstrong was sin-binned and any recovery now looked out of the question.

Gareth Little, who filled in for Armstrong at fly-half, scored a late consolation try to finish a disappointing afternoon for the Green Lane men.

Ormskirk 2nd XV lost 25-14 at Widnes, with tries from Mark Jackson and Andy Montrose. The 3rd XV lost 20-8 at Birchfield Park.

This Saturday Ormskirk travel to Bolton in the second round of the Lancashire Plate Cup.