Carnforth travelled south at the weekend to face an Ormskirk squad who had some decent results during the season and were keen to keep in touch with the top 3 of Penrith, Clitheroe and Carnforth. The hosts had the luxury of extra players to select from and by their own number 8s admission a few players had been brought in from the first team. Carnforth however lost a raft of players during the week, Nick Hamer, Nathan OConnor, Dale Lowrie, Olly Murray, Sam Griffiths from the backs, Jason Waterhouse, Chris Whaley, John Greenland, Archie Rich, Dan Blenkharn all regulars missing from the pack. Monday evening we were very close to conceding this game but a rally round from skipper Shane Weed and Jack Edmondson meant a squad of 18 was assembled - albeit players travelling from far and wide to help the club and we thank them all for this.
Still Carnforth thought the squad was ample enough to take on Ormskirk - with 7 players making their first appearance of the season the team found it hard to gel together. Dan Shepherd came in for his first game in a number of years and had a stormer in the second row. Brad Wheatman and Sam Tomlinson both moved from the pack into the backs, Tomlinson having a few wake up calls after feeling the effects from his Xmas do the night before.
Ormskirk had some key players in the vital positions of 10 and 8 which aided their regular 2nd team lads - two tries down the wings in the first ten minutes set the tone for the hosts - the number 8 even got in on the act with an excellent piece of show boating which was worth the entrance fee alone. A third try, this time converted from wide out, gave the hosts a 17 - 0 lead and seemingly control of the game. Jason Short made some great breaks from number 8, Jack Edmondson and Wheatman were well marshalled in the defence with Joe Harrison enjoying a tussle in the back row.
Just before half time and Carnforth got back into the game, Mathew Short was able to receive the ball before he was able to cut away through the middle of the pitch to outstrip the defence to score under the posts and silence the home support, his conversion went over the bar to give his team a glimmer of hope. Back came Carnforth strongly and ended the half well, Dave Hones, Jason Short, Tomlinson and Harrison all going close to reducing the gap at half time but 17 - 7 it stayed.
Carnforth knew they were still in this game and the next 10/15 minutes in the second half was going to be vital. A bit of an early scuffle on the far side between a few players was being sorted before a member of the home crowd (replacement scrum half) weighed in after coming over the pitch line barrier - supporters and replacements should not be doing this at any level of games and this will only get his club into trouble following the referees report after the game.
The game calmed down and on the hour it was the hosts who looked like they had settled the outcome of the game with another well worked try - they had some quality runners throughout the squad with just the number 13 maybe being a weak link in the squad. They made a replacement at scrum half and this time he was allowed legally onto the pitch and he started to spray the ball round to allow his team to make more chances. Carnforth had to rely on hard work in defence as well as some errors from the home side - one in particular leaving the young winger distraught.
Carnforth refused to lie down with Weed, Shepherd and Hones all making ground before Harrison was able to burst clear after a great break by Tomlinson down the left. 12 points down and 5 to go - could it be done, Ormskirk were doing what every team would do in this situation and slow the game down but again Carnforth hit back with 2 minutes to go and Wheatman was able to break clear for a great try under the posts, Short added the extras and the referee signalled 90 seconds to play - 5 points down.
Carnforth took the ball, Jason Short and Shepherd took play to half time and when it seemed an overlap had appeared the ball got caught up and Ormskirk were able to take hold and the match was over.
Defeat is always hard to take but we need to re-group this week and get back on the right track for another trip 15 minutes away down at Southport this next weekend.
We congratulate Chris and his Ormskirk squad on their victory and wish them well for the season - a good set of lads - keep this squad all season and their push for promotion will be an easier one.
Man of the match - Dan Shepherd