Ormskirk keep up solid form with win over Bury

ANOTHER solid team performance against Bury on Saturday at Green Lane continued Ormskirk’s run of good form, producing a six try haul against a team propping up the league.

Despite their lowly position Bury were not the pushovers that the 40-8 score suggests.

They opened the game on the front foot and the home side had to be on their top defensive metal to prevent strong forward runs creating an early score.

Ormskirk did not help themselves in these early stages as indiscipline at the breakdown gave away four penalties which kept Bury hammering at the door.

Eventually Ormskirk’s solid defence created a fumble in the opposition back line that allowed fly half John Armstrong to clear the lines with a huge kick downfield, putting Bury on the back foot and the kick chase was good enough to force a rushed defensive kick into touch.

Opting to catch and drive at the line out, Ormskirk rumbled towards the try line.

Although stopped short back row Danny Booth broke free to cross from close range for the opening 5–0 score.

Having found their attacking mode, the home side kept up the pressure and a knock on in the back line due to the wet conditions prevented a further score.

The forwards were finding the catch and drive from line outs to be an effective attacking tactic and Danny Booth was again the beneficiary scoring his second try from the move, the scoreboard ticking over to 12-0 with John Armstong smartly converting.

On the attack Ormskirk were looking a good ball handling unit but their eagerness and indiscipline at the breakdown gave penalties away allowing Bury to progress up the field and eventually convert one to put themselves on the score sheet 12-3.

From the kick off a Bury clearing kick was collected by winger Rob Mitchell and run back strongly into the contact area.

Support from full back Andy Healey created cleanly recycled ball which was moved down the backs to give centre Mike Knowles, running an inside line, clear space and from the half way he outstripped the covering defence, scoring a fine try close to the posts. John Armstrong’s conversion increased the lead to 19-3 as half time came.

Bury were again quicker out of the blocks at the restart and similarly Ormskirk incurred the referee’s wrath with a string of infringements, resulting in second row Greg Dykes earning a spell in the sin bin for a high tackle.

The visitors immediately took advantage of having the extra man in the forwards and the culmination of a series of attacking forays resulted in a try scored in the corner.

The lead now being reduced to 19-8 caused Ormskirk to compose themselves while Bury became over enthusiastic, getting on the wrong side of the referee and gave ground into their own twenty two with a number of penalties.

The final penalty ten metres from the line was taken quickly by James Smith, who popped a short pass for lock forward Patrick Hagerty to crash over, the try again converted by John Armstong pushing the lead to 26-8.

The home side were not in the mood to give Bury any further chances and now back to a full fifteen began to turn the screw.

The visitors gamely tried to run the ball from their own twenty two but the defensive line turned the ball over and moved quickly into attack.

The ball was held up but a driving maul forced the defence over their line and second row Phil Davis was at the bottom of the pile to get the score.

The score eased out to 33-8 with another fine Armstrong conversion.

With a couple of minutes left on the clock Bury looked to put play down in Ormskirk’s half with a long clearing kick.

Full back Andy Healey collected the ball and set off down the left wing, outstripping the Bury kick chasers and looking as if he might go all the way.

Clawed down deep in the Bury twenty two he set the ball up to be moved wide right where winger Mat Taylor was stopped five metres short.

Lock Callum Woodhead was on hand to clear out the opposition at the ruck and the recycled ball found the hands of Danny Booth who scored his hat trick try.

The conversion by John Armstrong brought the score to 40-8 and also the final whistle.

In the wet weather conditions Ormskirk moved the ball well with a competent all round performance.

A more disciplined display at the breakdown is needed to prevent needless penalties which relieves pressure on the opposition and allows them to go forward.

Next Saturday sees a further chance to progress up the table with Ormskirk travelling away to Ashtonunder-Lyne.