Ormskirk make it third time lucky at Bedians
THE first round of league play off games presented Ormskirk with an away trip to Old Bedians in Manchester, a fixture that in the two previous normal league encounters had produced narrow victories for the home side.
Both teams began on the front foot, with defences on each side being tested but play being held in the centre third of the pitch.
A clearing kick by Bedians was easily collected by fullback Jack Whisker, who having a distain of kicking, set of at a canter to initiate a sustained passage of Ormskirk pressure into the opposition 22.
Bedians, having been caught offside at the ruck, were penalised and Matt Taylor slotted over the kick for a 0-3 opening score.
Ormskirk indecision at the kick off presented Bedians with an immediate attacking opportunity but they were unable to capitalise due to a knock on.
Ormskirk’s scrummaging had looked solid but as they held the opposition pressure, a loose boot kicked the ball through to the Bedians side and their back row picked up to attack an unprepared Ormskirk defensive line. The ball was quickly recycled two or three times before the Bedians left winger put them ahead 5-3 with touch down wide out.
Bedians tried to push home their advantage with strong forward runs, but although stretched the Ormskirk defence held up and gradually they began to work their way up field with good interplay between forwards and backs.
This set up an Ormskirk kick at goal as Bedians were penalised for not releasing at the ruck.
The missed kick gave Bedians a 22 drop out, landing straight into the hands of centre Mike Knowles who, breaking tackles, ran it back deep into the 22.
Sensing their opportunity the Ormskirk forwards went through their driving phases resulting in Peter Dobson crashing over close to the posts.
A 5-10 advantage to the visitors as Matt Taylor added the conversion. The remaining play of the first half took place between the two 22 lines with neither side able to make any significant inroads.
Bedians were quickly into their stride at the commencement of the second period.
Cleanly taken lineout ball was driven forwards and after a number of phases it was recycled to the left hand side for a score on the corner that brought the scores level.
Ormskirk, undaunted by this early setback, continued to probe the home defences knowing they had the attacking capabilities to break through.
A number of forward drives took the ball within five metres of the line, only to be stopped illegally at the breakdown for which the Bedians forward was sent to the sin bin for ten minutes. With the opposition being a forward down Ormskirk opted for a scrum instead of a kick for goal in order to go for a try.
Ball was won easily, moved swiftly wide from the base of the scrum to the back line, good hands outwitted the defence but unfortunately with the try line begging the last pass went astray.
Still a man down, Bedians struggled to clear the ball from their own lines and were unable to relieve the sustained pressure of an Ormskirk side with their tails up.
Ormskirk ball won at a line out was crashed into the opposing line by an ever willing wrecking ball called Jack Johnston, with Bedians on the back foot quickly recycled ball found centre Mike Knowles, who in his usual fashion, broke the line and strode over for a 10-15 score.
Bedians were still in the game and looked to make their forward power pay dividends for them.
This task seemed to have been made easier when, with ten minutes to go, forward Peter Dobson was harshly yellow carded for being deemed to have played the ball on the floor by the referee.
Seeing their opportunity Bedians took a tap penalty, driving for the line. A determined Ormskirk defence kept them out and the lines were cleared with a good kick.
Despite being a man down Ormskirk were not content with just defending their lead but continued to attack the opposition when the opportunity presented itself.
A long kick ahead resulted in a Bedians 22 drop out which scrum half James Lang attacked to put Ormskirk on the front foot.
A scrummage for a knock on saw Bedians stray offside to present a penalty kick opportunity which Matt Taylor duly converted, pushing the visitors 10-18 further ahead.
Now needing two scores to get a result, Bedians tried to get back into the game as the final whistle ticked closer.
The Ormskirk defence was not in the mood to give them any favours and this strong showing and handling errors from the home side kept them out until the end.
A good, hard fought result from a young Ormskirk side consisting of eight players aged 22 and under.
Particular mention must go to young scrum half James Lang who was voted Man of the Match by his fellow players.
Next week sees the second play off game with the visit of Birchfield to Green Lane, KO 2.15.