Grit and determination are the key for Ormskirk’s victory at Marple

Sep 20 2012 by Our Correspondent, Ormskirk Advertiser

IT WAS a warm sunny day at Marple and a fast paced and competitive game of rugby ensued, with Marple proving to be a tough opponent.

The first five minutes saw the Gingerbread Men dominate, producing some good chances to get on the scoreboard.Marple were on a strong attack of their own when unfortunately one of the their players was injured during a tackle sustaining a broken leg. The game was temporarily halted, awaiting the arrival of an ambulance.

Marple restarted the game strongly, playing hard for their injured teammate and with only a minute gone broke through Ormskirk’s defences with a driving maul from a lineout on the 5m line.

Ten minutes later Marple’s forwards again showing good strength, forced a penalty try after pushing Ormskirk over their own try line from a scrum, the try was converted giving Marple a 12-0 lead.

Ormskirk’s indiscipline made it easier for Marple to keep the pressure on and they forced their way over Ormskirk’s line again, taking the score to 17-0.

Ormskirk needed to get on the scoreboard fast to stem the rot.

They gathered some composure and edged their way into Marple’s territory, the forwards were able to provide some quick ball, which gave the backs time and space to run some good lines and execute a neat move which ended with James Illingworth scoring Ormskirk’s first points, Lambie converted taking the score to 17-7.

Ormskirk still hadn’t gained full control of their discipline and gave away a penalty within kicking range in the last minute of the first half. Marple seized this opportunity and took a lead of 20-7 into the 2nd half.

Marple took charge again early in the 2nd half scoring after 8 minutes of play giving them a healthy 20 point lead at 27-7. A minute later Marple conceded a penalty within kicking range of Lambie and he reduced the deficit to 17 points.

Still with quite a task ahead, Ormskirk didn’t panic and stuck to their game plan, kicking into space and running the ball when opportunities arose, patience being the key.

On the 53rd minute Marple Conceded another penalty, Lambie again slotting the ball sweetly through the posts, 27-13.

After 60 minutes of play Illingworth finished off another slick backs move and added a further 5 points to Ormskirk’s tally, the score now stood at 27-18.

The 63rd minute saw the on form Lambie convert another penalty. Five minutes later prop Sean Fogarty finished off some strong forward play, leaving an easy conversion for Lambie and Ormskirk took the lead by a single point, 27-28.

Marple were rattled by the turn around and gave another kickable penalty away, Lambie duly converted. Soon after, Aidan Charlton finished off a breakaway attack and took Ormskirk to more than a score ahead, his try was also converted.

After a great kicking performance Alex Lambie had the deserved last word of the match and slotted another penalty through Marple’s posts and as the final whistle blew the score stood at 27-41.

Ormskirk’s 1st team are at home against Liverpool Colligiate on Saturday and Ormskirk’s 3rd team are also at home taking on Formby Vikings’ 1st team. The 4th team are away to Eagle’s 2nd team.