Kirk start New Year in style

Jan 10 2013 by Our Correspondent, Ormskirk Advertiser

ORMSKIRK started the New Year with a bonus point victory over tough opposition from Marple as they quickly picked up where they left off at the end of 2012.

The opening five minutes saw both teams showing that the Christmas period had done nothing to dampen their attacking tendencies with dangerous passages of play evident from both in the opening exchanges.

Ormskirk had the better of these opening exchanges but found themselves behind after 12 minutes when the defence failed to hold firm.

Marple, with the bit between their teeth and showing an intelligent game plan, struck again six minutes later to leave the score at 12-3 with only 20 minutes of play on the clock.

As in the reverse fixture at the very beginning of the season, Marple further extended their lead with another well worked try, leaving Ormskirk ruing both missed chances and the Christmas excess.

Stern words and a return to the opening five minute period of attacking prowess saw Ormskirk strike next.

A typical bullocking run from centre Habberfield after a sustained period of pressure from the forwards saw him gallop over for Ormskirk’s fist try of 2013, Alex Lambie, in impressive form with the boot, added the extras to put ‘Kirk in touching distance with a couple of minutes to go before the interval.

There was more to come from Ormskirk before the half time whistle though, with a turnover at the scrum, won excellently by the front row of Gateley, Bowling and Purcell, the ball broke quickly with Hitchlock and Roberts combining well to set up excellent field position for the ‘ Kirk backs to strike.

A couple of passages of play saw the ball spun wide with full back Illingworth taking a difficult pass and beating his man to score in the corner and send Kirk in to the half time break 18-12 up.

Ormskirk began the second half strongly, with winger Hodson the next to pounce.

Another turn over at scrum time provided yet again excellent field position.

A few phases of patient play allowed the ball to be moved wide to Hodson who finished with his trademark blend of balanced and powerful running.

The next score was again in Ormskirk’s favour, a great break from the half way line from a scrum by captain Prytherch, saw Ormskirk just inside the Marple 22 metre line.

Powerful runs by Rothwell and Davies created the overlap outside with the ball shipped wide to stand off Lambie to put number eight Hitchlock into the corner.

Kirk, with a four-try bonus point secured, refused to sit back and after stretching the Marple defence from touchline to touchline the ball made its way to prolific try scoring prop Purcel who used his indomitable power to crash over in the corner.

A fortunate bounce from a wayward Marple clearance kick found winger Spengler, who, through the deftness of footwork evaded eight would be tacklers to score under the sticks and bring up the 40 point mark for Kirk.

A late consolation try from a cute piece of footwork from the pink hatted Marple stand off rounded off a solid, all be it, slow starting Ormskirk victory.