Ormskirk 13- Colne 10

As the rain fell throughout the week, Colne were dubious that the game would go ahead. A strong squad was assembled as they travelled to Ormskirk, a team the present bunch of players has yet to face in recent years. The weather was surprisingly pleasant, the pitch in decent condition; in all, a perfect day for a game of rugby.

With the previous game v North Manchester cancelled due to adverse weather, Colne were raring to go and get some rugby under their belts. Hesketh partnered Padgett at prop and Bond filled in at hooker for the absent Wood. The rest of the 15 started the same, the pack made up of Boatright and Kinnane at second row and a back 3 of Edwards, Minshull and Wiper.
The backs continued as previous, the 2 Hargreaves at half backs, Sumner partnered Skipper Tindall at centre, with Gane, Bullen and McNally at full back and wings respectively.

As the game kicked off, Ormskirks game plan was soon clear; kick in behind and gain territory and hope their forwards cause the attackers to make mistakes. A scrum on Colnes 10 metre line to Ormskirk allowed their 10 to kick deep into Colnes corner, the chase was good from their forwards resulting in a kickable penalty within the first 5 minutes of the game.

Ormskirk 3- Colne 0

With the slow start behind them, Colne began to get a foot hold in the game, only to be disrupted by some excellent ruck work from the Ormskirk forwards. as always, Edwards was leading the forwards from Number 8, Padgett and Hesketh were holding their own in the scrums.

On the 25 minute mark, Colne lost scrum half Hargreaves to a neck injury and was replaced by Harry Whit in the unfamiliar role of Half Back.

Again a kick over the top from the Ormskirk 10, a knock on from Colne put Ormskirk in a strong position with a scrum. An untidy but effective scrum from Ormskirk saw the ball kick forward from their 8 and grounded over the try line by the wing forward. The referee deemed the wing forward to be in front of the kicker and awarded Colne a penalty. On the stroke of half time, Jim Hargreaves got his first attempt at goal with an Ormkirk player going off his feet in the ruck. Slotting the ball between the posts, Hargreaves pulled Colne level going into half time.

A Half Time team talk from Boatright and Cockroft focused on retaining possession and hitting the contact area in numbers.
Colne upped their game in the second half, keeping the ball in hand and looking to cause Ormskirk problems when the ball was shipped out wide. Sumner was causing problems at outside centre with some strong running; Gane and McNally were solid in their cover defence.

As Colne continued to push, some scrappy ruck play gifted Ormskirk to gain territory. As the kicked into the Colne 22, the resulting line out was scrappy, but collected by the Ormskirk pack. A peel off round the blind side and grubber kick through was collected over the white wash by the Ormskirk winger. Conversion missed Colne were 8-3 down against the run of play.

Colne rang the changes, replacing Hesketh with Jones at prop and Grindrod came on for Bullen on the Wing.
Ormskirk extended their lead after a period of 5 minutes or so camped on the Colne 5 metre. Some excellent defence kept them at bay, but drew the All Blacks in. Some quick hands found their centre up against Boatright. As Boatright lined up the tackle, the Ormskirk centre dropped to the floor over the badly marked try line, to Boatrights dismay!

As Colne pressed forward, the strong runs from Sumner, fed by Whittaker at 9 and Hargreaves at 10 looked to put Ormskirk on the back foot. With 10 minutes to go, Colne found themselves just inside their own half. The pass from the back of the ruck was a sloppy one from Whittaker, over the head of Hargreaves at 10, but was picked up by Tindall. The runs of Sumner and Gane outside him fixed the defence, allowing Tindall to glide through a gap. With only the fullback to beat, Tindall exquisitely side stepped and rounded him with ease, strolling in under the posts. Hargreaves converted to bring the score within 3.

With the final whistle about to blow, a penalty for Colne was struck at goal by Hargreaves on the half way line. Narrowly missing the left upright the final whistle blew.

Final Score Ormskirk 13- Colne 10

Colne need to tidy a few areas of their game up if they are to look to turn performances into points and climb the table.

Anyone wishing to play rugby, experienced of beginner, Contact Jamie Gane (Community Rugby Coach) on 07494 543149.