Medics left feeling sick as Ormskirk go second
THE arrival of Manchester Medics to Green Lane was not only an opportunity for the home side to knock the visitors off the top spot in the league, but also to wipe out the memory of their only defeat of the season so far.
Ormskirk were in no doubt as to the hard task that faced them and the early stages of the game saw the Medics applying all the pressure with play confined to the home half of the pitch.
Ormskirk’s defensive qualities have been of a high standard of late and the Medic’s forays, met with the same resistance, were unable to trouble the try line.
The worrying feature of the early play was that Ormskirk were looking over anxious in their play, making small mistakes and giving penalties away which allowed the Medics to keep up the pressure.
Unable to turn their pressure into points, the Medics’ frustration began to show as they began to give the ball away and commit penalties at the breakdown.
This allowed the home side to work their way downfield through kicks to touch.
A catch and drive at the lineout moved Ormskirk to within five metres of the line, Medics collapsed the maul and were penalised.
Feeling they had superiority at the scrummage, Ormskirk opted for the scrum down instead.
It was a good decision, the ball reached scrum half Liam Thompson at the base who broke to the short side, feeding winger Dave Webster for the first score of the game.
A 5-0 lead, although against the run of play, did show how clinical Ormskirk can be when opportunities are presented to them.
With confidence now high, Ormskirk were immediately on the attack from the restart, back row Tom Owens and centre Jake Hodson combined well to move the ball deep into the visitors’ half.
A clearing kick from the Medics only reached the hands of full back Matt White who ran it back into their 22 where at the breakdown the Medics were penalised for not releasing the tackler.
Ormskirk opted again for the scrum where cleanly won ball was moved through hands.
Three successive pick and drives by the forwards sucked in defending players allowing Ciaran Beswick to go over for the second score.
At 10-0 Ormskirk seemed to be in the driving seat but the Medics were not top of the table by default and showed their capabilities, making sustained drives and strong running by the backs, they kept the home side penned in their own half once again.
Ormskirk’s defensive qualities were up to the task, forcing a knock on and winning good ball from the resulting scrum, they worked their way back into the Medics half.
Under pressure, trying to prevent further scores, the Medics defence gave away penalties at the breakdown, one of which was converted by Matt White to push the score ahead to 13-0.
All the play was now in the Medics half, both forwards and backs were using the ball positively but the visitors, although having little opportunity to break out were strong enough defensively to prevent further scores as the interval came.
After the restart Ormskirk were still in the box seat, carrying on as before with play contained to the Medics half of the pitch.
Well won ball was moved down the line, reaching winger Dave Webster who was stopped five metres short.
Recycled ball was driven over the line but deemed by the referee to have been held up by defenders.
Ormskirk then, as last week against Bury, began to give away a succession of penalties giving the Medics easy outs from their defensive duties with relieving kicks to touch.
A Medics lineout on the home 22 was turned over and second row Aaron Ferry drove the ball up into the opposition half.
At the resulting ruck, back row Luke Millington picked up and broke free towards the line.
Although hauled down, support was on hand to drive the ball closer allowing flanker Tom Owens to pick up and crash over from two metres, 20-0 after a fine Matt White conversion into the strong wind.
Wanting to press home their advantage, Ormskirk were still over eager at the breakdown, the penalty count against them began to mount allowing Medics to still be an attacking threat with their long kicks to touch.
A Medics line out was again disrupted by the home side, turn over ball reached Ciaran Beswick on the blindside, seeing space behind the defenders he kicked effectively into it.
Jake Hodson following up kicked on ahead and it became a foot race between attackers and defenders.
Ciaran Beswick won the race, collecting the ball he was tackled to the ground but home support was there quickly to recycle the ball, moving it wide to the left for winger Alex Gaughn to score the fourth and bonus point try in the corner.
Although a winning 25-0 score line, Ormskirk’s ability to add to it was severely hampered by their indiscipline during the remainder of the game.
The penalty count against them began to rise, a yellow card was on the horizon and the Medics were taking full advantage to move down the pitch.
Successive Medics drives were kept out but they were getting closer and closer.
A further Ormskirk indiscretion brought another penalty, a yellow card was only avoided by the Medics scrum half taking a quick tap and diving over for a converted score.
The remaining ten minutes saw Ormskirk return to a more disciplined and dominant display, pressuring the Medics line they went close to further scores with line out catch and drives.
The visitors managed to hold out to the final whistle but a 25-7 victory brought great delight to the Ormskirk side.
A result that knocked the Medics off top spot with Ormskirk moving into second place behind Wigan after their bonus point home win over Burnley.
A difficult game awaits Ormskirk next week away against Burnley in their last game before Christmas. The same intensity will be required.