Bad tempered Ormskirk fall down on their tactics
THE League play off structure this season consisted of the top four from two leagues competing in a round robin type tournament, with the two top sides earning promotion.
After a good solid win at Old Bedians last week, for their second League play off game on Saturday, Ormskirk entertained Birchfield, an unknown quantity as the two sides had not met previously during the season.
It was soon evident that Ormskirk were in for a tough afternoon, as Birchfield set their stall out from the first scrum situation when the home side were propelled rapidly backwards.
This set the tone for the first 15 minutes with Ormskirk on the back foot in their own half and 22, defending resolutely against the drives of a strong well drilled Birchfield pack.
Within this period Ormskirk scrum half James Lang received a shoulder injury, forcing him to leave the field.
Ormskirk were finding it difficult to clear their lines and the ball kept coming back at them in the hands of the Birchfield pack.
A drive took the ball to within five metres of the home line, a try looking inevitable until Ormskirk turned the ball over at the ruck and audaciously decided to run the ball from their own line.
Winger, Dave Webster ran the ball to the edge of his own 22, his pass in the tackle found centre Mike Knowles who out sprinted the defence for the opening score close to the posts, an unexpected 7-0 lead after Alex Lambie delivered the conversion.
Birchfield immediately went back to their forward drives putting the home defence once again under pressure.
This pressure told as Ormskirk were penalised for holding on to the ball at the breakdown.
A kick to touch gave the visitors a line out catch and drive, sucking in the home defenders.
The ball was then moved into centre field where two more drives put them over for a 7-5 score, the conversion having been missed from close range.
Ormskirk were desperately trying to obtain time on the ball in order to use their back line which they felt was their main attacking force, unfortunately handling errors and indiscipline at the breakdowns gave the impetus back to Birchfield.
The visitors then scored their second try, a complete carbon copy of their first following a penalty against Ormskirk at the ruck.
This converted try gave the visitors a 7-12 lead as the interval arrived.
It looked as if it was not going to be Ormskirk’s day when from the restart the referee wrongly gave a scrum to Birchfield, this they duly won and a well judged kick into touch put them within 15 metres of the line.
Ormskirk’s line out had been under pressure all game and crucially they lost the ball.
Immediately the Birchfield forwards went for the line and two drives later scored increasing their advantage to 7-17.
The visitors were using the wind and strong boot of their centre to good effect, kicking the ball deep into Ormskirk’s half and making them play from there.
Failing to find touch with one of these kicks, Ormskirk were able to run it back into midfield were quick ruck ball was moved to the left through the back line.
An overlap was created giving winger Rob Mitchell a run for the line which he duly accepted to score under the posts.
Alex Lambie’s conversion reduced the arrears to 14-17 and brought Ormskirk back into the game.
Ormskirk, in their eagerness, began to give penalties away and get on the wrong side of the referee, questioning some of his decisions.
From one such penalty decision Birchfield went further ahead 14-22, continuing their familiar pattern, kick for touch, catch and drive from the line out, move ball in field, more patient drives and score.
Birchfield were playing the game much better tactically then the home side who were becoming frustrated with the refereeing decisions.
A good kick to touch once again put the home side on the back foot and another poor line out presented the ball to Birchfield for another drive, thankfully a knock on gave Ormskirk a scrum.
This only provided a brief respite as Birchfield applied pressure at the scrum, winning the ball and a pick up from the base of the scrum moved them further ahead 14-27 with their fifth try.
Ormskirk’s frustration bubbled over with winger Tom Owens being yellow carded for being over zealous in disagreeing with the referee’s decision making.
Although down to 14 men, Ormskirk tried to take something from the game by continuing to move the ball wide.
A typical Mike Knowles break at centre looked to give hope of a score, but as the ball was recycled at the tackle situation, the referee penalised the home side.
As a puzzled Ormskirk questioned this decision, Birchfield kicked the ball long into the vast space behind for their winger to run on to and score.
This was the final straw for some players as they voiced their displeasure at the referee, resulting in another yellow card for Lambie.
The 14-34 final score was a disappointing end to the game after such a fine display the previous week, but Ormskirk were outplayed tactically.
Another tough game awaits Ormskirk this week when they travel to Eagle.