It’s galling at Garstang

THE trip up the M6 to Garstang brought Ormskirk’s positive start to the season down to earth with a bump as they came away on the wrong side of a four tries to two contest.

As with last week’s win over Ashtonundr-Lyne, their display contained many pluses but the negatives were capitalised on by a home side now riding high at the top of the Lancs/ Cheshire Division Three North table after two wins out of two.

Garstang opened the scoring when an Ormskirk kick ahead was fielded and run straight back hard by the home winger.

Initial Ormskirk tackling was poor, giving space for offloads on the move which created the score, under the posts for an easy conversion.

The Ormskirk forwards began to get into the game, drives in midfield gained good yardage to put pressure on the home defence.

Unfortunately the hard work to arrive at try scoring positions was undone at the crucial stage with either a dropped ball or a knock on relieving the home side’s problems.

Reward for their endeavours finally came Ormskirk’s way as the backs moved the ball from their own 22 to well into the opposition half.

Garstang were penalised for being offside and this penalty was kicked to the corner to provide the visitors with a lineout catch and drive opportunity.

Phil Davis safely gathered in the throw and as the opposition forwards gathered themselves to resist the expected forward drive, the ball was moved swiftly to flyhalf Alex Lambie who, exploiting a gap in the defensive line, ghosted in under the posts, then converting to level the game.

Ormskirk were now on a roll and looked the more likely to score as both forwards and backs made inroads into the home defences.

A break out from their own 22 seemed likely to bring the next points but the last pass was adjudged to have been forward.

Garstang won the resulting scrum and there seemed little danger to the home line but a nicely judged kick through by the centre held up well in the wet grass just short of the line which the home winger pounced on to give his side the lead, 12-7.

Smooth passages of play were put together by Ormskirk, slick hands and link play consistently making great inroads into the Garstang half.

The final execution then nullified these efforts as the ball was either turned over or players were penalised in the ruck for holding on, allowing the home side to clear their lines or counter attack.

The half-time talk was about being more clinical when opportunities arose and this seemed to hit the mark early on in the second period.

Scrum ball won on the centre line was quickly switched to the blind side where it reached Andy Healey on the wing.

His powerful surge and skilful movement broke tackles and, leaving defenders in his wake, he crossed the line to bring the scores level.

The visitors thought they had taken the lead when, after a long period of being close to the Garstang tryline they were awarded a penalty for offside.

Back row Rob Hall took a quick tap and ploughed over the line to score what looked like a sound try.

The referee had other ideas, however, and adjudged he had knocked the ball on as he went over.

This reprieve gave Garstang added impetus and helped by some soft penalties from Ormskirk in the rucks, they forced Ormskirk back to a lineout close to the visitors’ tryline.

Having had some success with the driving maul they again opted for this tactic after taking the ball cleanly from the throw.

As they trundled towards the line, Ormskirk collapsed the maul to prevent the score.

As the referee played the penalty advantage the home side moved the ball to the short side and crashed over the line.

This 17-12 score disadvantage for Ormskirk was compunded as the referee yellow carded second row Phil Davis for collapsing the maul, with 10 minutes in the sin bin and Ormskirk reduced to 14 men.

Ormskirk did not look any worse for being reduced in numbers, they took the game to the home side playing sensible controlled rugby, forcing the defenders backwards and requiring desperate tackling to keep them out.

A penalty kick was converted to bring Ormskirk within two points and an away win was well within their grasp. Decisions by the official and decision making by the players then seemed to go against them.

Two penalties awarded for a breakdown offence and a high tackle were gratefully converted to put Garstang 23-15 ahead, requiring Ormskirk to produce two further scores to achieve a result.

Although they battled hard, the fates seemed against them as in the closing minutes Garstang moved downfield through kicks for Ormskirk infringements. Again they utilised the catch and drive, again Ormskirk found it difficult to hold.

As the maul collapsed the referee awarded the penalty which the Garstang flyhalf took quickly and dived in at the corner.

A fine conversion from out wide brought the final whistle and the 30-15 final score.

But it was a game that Ormskirk felt they could have and should have won. Decision making was lacking when in strong scoring positions and errors in handling and the penalty count need to be addressed for the next game.

This is on Saturday, at home against North Manchester, with a 3pm kickoff at Green Lane.