Ormskirk go down to leaders in switched tie

Nov 8 2012 by Our Correspondent, Ormskirk Advertiser

ORMSKIRK took on the league leaders Sefton on Saturday.

Due to a badly waterlogged pitch at Green Lane the match was moved to Sefton’s ground.

The home team have are unbeaten and have recently had some impressive high scoring wins. Ormskirk would have to be on top form to create an upset.

The game did not start to according to Ormskirk’s plan.

Following a turnover of possession within their half, Sefton broke quickly and were able to take advantage of an extra man on the left wing, scoring in the corner within the first minute of the game.

Ormskirk responded well after the restart and held good territory.

On the tenth minute Ormskirk’s backs made a break through the Sefton defence and fly half James Illingworth was able to make a well timed pass to full back Andy Healy who scored in the corner.

Oli Griffiths slotted the difficult conversion between the posts taking the score to 7-7.

Ormskirk continued to pressure Sefton’s defence and on the fourteenth minute won a penalty within kicking range. Griffiths took it well, 7-10.

For the remainder of the first half Sefton were the dominant side, with periods of strong forwards play and neat backs play.

Ormskirk defended hard but seemed to lack belief and the mounting pressure saw the Gingerbread Men give away too many penalties leading to two players being sin binned.

Sefton kicked three of penalties and were also able to force their way across Ormskirk’s line during this period.

Ormskirk won a penalty of their own, Griffiths converted it for three points and as the half time whistle blew the score stood at 23-13.

Sefton started the second half as they finished the first and continued to pressurise Ormskirk who were still a man down due to the sin bins.

Sefton’s driving maul was proving particularly difficult for the visiting side to deal with.

After forty seven minutes of play Sefton crossed Ormskirk’s line again and converted, 28-13.

Sefton’s pressure didn’t let up and after a long period of play right on Ormskirk’s try line were awarded a penalty try after a series of infringements from the defending side.

After sixty minutes of play the score was 35-13.

Ormskirk were not done, regaining some composure and belief, mounted a late comeback attempt.

The pack was strong in the scrums and fought hard at the rucks and mauls to retain possession.

From the back of a ruck just outside Sefton’s 22m line Healy was able to break through the defensive line and spun a pass out to centre Neil Habberfield who ran in for a try in the right corner, 35-18.

With just three minutes left on the clock, Habberfield was again able to finish off a well worked backs move to score in the corner.

Unfortunately for Ormskirk it was too little too late and the final whistle blew with the score at 35-23 to Sefton.

There are no league games for all Ormskirk sides next Saturday.

Ormskirk 1st team will aim to get their fight for promotion back on track when they take on Wallasey 1st XV away on Saturday 17th November.