Ormskirk roll into Bowl final as Garstang toppled
ON Saturday, Ormskirk RUFC played hosts to Garstang RUFC for an eagerly awaited semi-final clash, the winners progressing to the final of the Alan Stone Bowl.
Garstang, so far unbeaten this season, arrived at Green Lane knowing they had beaten the hosts earlier in the season but could only manage a draw in the return fixture, the only point they have so far dropped this season.
The last match between the two clubs provided a feast of fast moving, free flowing open rugby within a very physical, but sporting, hard hitting match.
This match f o l l owed very much the same course with both teams determined to stamp an early mark on proceedings. Play switched back and forth with neither side making much impression on the other’s resolute defensive patterns and highly disciplined line formations. But a breakthrough was waiting to happen and following a period of dominance Ormskirk cleanly broke through the Garstang line and following the ball rapidly progressing through a number of pairs of hands the Greens centre Mike Knowles went over in the corner for the first try of the match. Gareth Little narrowly missed the difficult conversion.
Garstang were clearly rattled by the score and immediately pushed forward toward the Greens try line, the defence comfortably holding out a number of repeat sets before the effervescent Tom Owens made a telling break down the left side before the ball was switched infield, finding its way to scrum half Gareth Little to dive over the try line in flamboyant style before converting his own try.
The Greens, now 12-0 ahead started to push forward with greater confidence and clearly determined to increase the lead.
After a further period of pressure on the Garstang defence, another clean break down the left saw the ball in the hands of centre Knowles who shrugged off the unwanted attention of a number of defenders before finishing the move off with another fine try in the corner.
Again, the conversion attempt sailed wide of the uprights.
As half time approached and with Garstang applying long periods of pressure to the Ormskirk line, the Greens finally broke out of their defensive area and quickly moved downfield, soon finding themselves in the Garstang 20 metre zone.
Indiscipline by the visitors offered an easy kick over the crossbar for Little for the last play of the first half.
Garstang clearly had a chat about things during the interval and came out firing on all cylinders, applying periods of pressure on the Greens line before eventually crossing for their first points of the match, converting the score with a fine kick.
Ormskirk too had clearly discussed matters and were in no mind to give up a place in a cup final.
After further pressure from Garstang, the home side steadily moved upfield, eating away at the Garstang defence before an astute kick to the corner by James Smith was pounced on, predator style, by the hard working winger David Webster.
The referee did not hesitate to raise his arm to indicate a try and Webster could barely conceal his delight.
Garstang though are not league leaders without reason and showed their spirit as they pounded the Ormskirk line for phase after phase.
The line eventually conceded a penalty try and it was game back on at 25-14 to the Greens.
The home side might have felt a little aggrieved by the penalty try and followed up the restart by applying plenty of pressure to a tiring Garstang and following a fast paced passage of play, winger Webster almost went over for his second, the ball slipping from his grasp in the increasingly inhospitable downpour.
Further pressure by Ormskirk resulted in a desperate attempt by an increasingly beleaguered Garstang defence to clear their line by kicking.
The kick failing to find its mark and landing in the arms of a gleeful Lee Arrowsmith who went over in the corner for the final try of the match.
Gareth Little saved his best kick for the last play of the match, sailing a beauty straight between the sticks to complete the scoring in a 32-14 win for Ormskirk.
This match, just like the previous fixture between the two sides, was a fine advert for sportsmanship, for the respective clubs and players and for the game of rugby.
Next week, the real hard work begins as Ormskirk travel to Old Bedians for the first match in the promotion play offs.