Ormskirk one win away from place in play-offs
LOOKING to cement their place in the top four league play-off positions, the visit of lowly placed Ashton-Under-Lyne to Green Lane presented a perfect opportunity to achieve this aim.
Ormskirk knew they were in for a tough game as in their first meeting the opposition pack were a strong outfit that could not be taken lightly.
With the wind to their backs, the home side needed to make a strong start which fortunately they achieved through Ashton giving away early penalties for high tackles and infringements at the ruck.
This put the visitors on the back foot and prop Steve Rouke took advantage with a quick tap from one of the penalties.
His fellow prop Val Gateley took the play on with a strong carry, quickly released ball reached skipper and centre Mike Knowles who, making one of his trademark line breaks, crossed the line for an early 7-0 score, Gareth Little adding the conversion.
Ashton’s power in the pack was soon made to tell as they put the home scrum under pressure, forcing a number of penalties and gaining ground into their 22 metre area.
Ormskirk’s defensive qualities were put to the test and they soaked up the pressure to nullify the opposition forward drives.
Ormskirk’s main advantage was in the back line and a good break out and kick ahead brought a 22 drop out for Ashton, who, seeing it as their main weapon, opted for the scrum as the ball had gone over the dead ball line from the kick.
The home forwards were ready for the Ashton power push, they won the ball against the head and quickly moved it down the back line.
Mike Knowles again made the break but although held up close to the line he was able to offload the ball for fly half Nat Wildman to increase the score to 12-0.
Ormskirk always looked likely to make ground through forward drives and back line breaks, while the main Ashton threat came from their forwards who gamely continued to make hard yards up front.
With sound defence preventing Ashton gaining any success, Ormskirk were able to counter attack quickly.
Nat Wildman made a break at fly half in midfield to 15 metres from the line, the forwards then took it on to within a metre but a slight knock halted the progress.
The Ashton five metre scrum that resulted was again won by Ormskirk and Jack Johnston picked up from the base and crashed over close to the corner flag, a deserved 17-0 lead.
With their confidence high, Ormskirk went looking for the fourth try bonus point straight from the restart.
Forwards and backs inter changed passes and prop forward Val Gateley again broke through, heading for the line he was tackled just short.
Steve Rouke was in close support to take a short pass, scoring the bonus point try and increasing the lead to 24-0 with the conversion by Alex Lambie. Despite this setback Ashton were not prepared to roll over, with half-time approaching their forwards ventured up the field with strong carries and drives, forcing the Ormskirk defensive line into action.
Despite Ashton’s valiant efforts the Ormskirk defences proved their worth and stayed strong but did themselves no favours by giving away penalties at the breakdown situations.
The second period of play was a total contrast to the first. Play became bogged down in the central areas of the pitch with neither side able to gain any headway or keep total control of the ball. Things also began to get heated up front and an off the ball coming together resulted in red cards for flanker Lee Arrowsmith and the Ashton prop forward, a reward for their scuffle on the floor.
Eventually this stalemate in play ended when scrum half James Smith ripped the ball from Ashton hands in the tackle and set the backs on the move.
Mike Knowles handed off his opposition centre to break through from the half way line and then easily rounding the full back went over for the fifth try.
This was to be the final score of the game as both sides made little further impact on each others try line.
The Ashton forwards continued to batter away at the immoveable home defences while Ormskirk kicked astutely to keep the visitors turning back to their own half.
The only further notable happenings in the proceedings were in the last ten minutes when the referee yellow carded James Smith and the other Ashton prop after a fracas, reducing both sides to thirteen men.
With a couple of minutes remaining Ormskirk were reduced to 12 men with second row Dan Hitchlock being yellow carded for a no arms tackle.
Despite this, Ormskirk kept a clean sheet, with their attacking first half display earning them the full five points, moving them up to second.
This position in the play offs could be secured with a result away against Clitheroe next Saturday.