Spirited Kirk hauled back by determined Garstang
THE visit of league play off leaders Garstang to Green Lane on Saturday resulted in a ten try fest of open rugby, the lead swinging from side to side throughout the match.
The outcome of this very close encounter went down to the wire and was not decided until the very last play of the game.
From the start Garstang were quickly into their stride, moving the ball through hands to break the Ormskirk line deep into their 22.
Forward Greg Dykes snuffed out this effective Garstang move with a smart interception to set up an Ormskirk attack down the left in the form of centre Mike Knowles, who took the ball from his own 22 into the opposition’s before being forced into touch.
It was obvious from these early encounters that both sides were here to play open rugby and to move the ball through hands.
Garstang were penalised for not releasing the ball at the ruck and Ormskirk kicked for touch in order to catch and drive from the line out.
Secured ball was driven by the forwards and play went through multiple phases as they attacked the line.
Another penalty for Ormskirk was quickly taken to move the ball wide of the Garstang defence, enabling winger Dave Webster to open the scoring in the corner.
This early 5-0 lead did not last long as from the restart the Garstang hooker caught the ball cleanly and drove through the first lines of defence.
With Ormskirk on the back foot the visitors showed that they were worthy of their league position.
A ruck following a Garstang line out proved decisive as a forward picked up the ball and broke free, one pass and they were in under the posts to lead 5-7 with the converted try.
For the rest of the half the lead seesawed between the two sides, with neither being able to take a decisive hold on the game.
A penalty to Ormskirk was again kicked to touch, setting up their catch and drive play from the line out.
The forwards drove to the line before the ball was moved to flyhalf Nat Wildman who from 15 metres out showed excellent slight of hand to fool his opposite number and go in unopposed under the posts, regaining a 12-7 lead after the conversion.
The Garstang hooker was having a field day as he once again took the ball unopposed from the restart and drove the ball forward.
The ball moved through forwards and backs’ hands as they went through the phases, edging closer to the try line.
The Ormskirk defence, at first up to the task, began to splinter and a final crash ball brought Garstang their reward of a 12-14 lead after the conversion.
Not to be out done Ormskirk began to exert pressure on Garstang’s defence with strong runs from the forwards and skilful handling in the backs.
The ball held up in a ruck gave the home side an attacking scrum 20 metres out.
Number eight Lee Arrowsmith picked the ball up at the base, his drive for the line drew in the defence and a pop ball in the tackle found full back Tom Owens in support and in free space for a try in the left corner, regaining a 17-14 lead.
Restarts were seemingly Ormskirk’s Achilles heel as they once again gave the visitors the edge by knocking the ball on.
Garstang were to take full advantage of this when they once again set their attacking machine in motion to stretch the Ormskirk defence to its limit and finally beyond.
Very good support play found defensive holes resulting in a try to put the visitors ahead 17-19 as half time came.
The opening 25 minutes of the second half belonged to Ormskirk as they camped themselves in the Garstang half, allowing the visitors little opportunity to see the ball.
Unfortunately they lost back row Aaron Ferry and flyhalf Nat Wilman to injury, bringing Joe Rivers and James Lang into their line up.
Using the slight breeze in their favour, the home side kicked ahead towards Garstang’s try line.
Good follow up by the back line pressurised the defender into a poor touch kick.
With a line out only 15 metres out Ormskirk caught and drove for the line.
Garstang held firm but after two further drives the ball moved out to James Smith, now at fly half, who popped the ball up for Lee Arrowsmith who, taking it on the burst, crashed over for the score and bonus point fourth try.
Determined not to relinquish this 22-19 lead, as had been the case during the first half, Ormskirk kept up the pressure.
A rare foray by Garstang into the Ormskirk half broke down and the home side picked up the loose ball, two passes put scrum half James Lang clear.
Inter passing between him and Tom Owens, who had arrived in support, kept covering defenders at bay allowing a final pass for replacement winger Kai Smith to score.
Converted by Mike Knowles this put Ormskirk two scores clear at 29-19.
As the game ticked over to the final ten minutes, the effort Ormskirk had been putting in to keep Garstang at bay started to tell.
A penalty for the visitors in centre field was converted to reduce the arrears to 29-22.
Crucially Ormskirk began to give penalties away at the breakdown, allowing Garstang to kick their way up field to find strong attacking positions.
Garstang were also beginning to dominate at the scrum as the Ormskirk pack began to tire.
A penalty awarded for an infringement at the set piece was quickly taken by Garstang and a strong drive resulted in the converted try that brought the scores level at 29-29 all.
Ormskirk could not secure the ball at the restart and with the game in its last play, Garstang showed their class with an excellent passage of continuity rugby.
The ball moved up the left wing, determined Ormskirk tackling tried to halt its progress, but tired arms and legs fell off some tackles, the ball carrier could not be forced into touch and a last gasp lunge dabbed the ball down in the corner, giving the jubilant Garstang team a 29-34 win.
Ormskirk’s play did not deserve this result, which drops them down to fourth place in the play-offs.
Ormskirk return to action on April 7 with a game at Oxton Parkonians on the Wirral, KO 3pm.