Outcome outshines Wids’ performance
ADM PREMIER LEAGUE ORMSKIRK ..................... 13 WIDNES ........................... 27
IT looked like it was a case of after the ‘Lord Mayor’s Show’ as Widnes just about got the better of Ormskirk in their latest ADM Premier League fixture at Green Lane.
They looked a pale shadow of the team that had beaten Didsbury in the semi-final of the League Cup the previous week, and did just about enough on this occasion to secure a much-needed victory.
Ormskirk, on the other hand, will have been bitterly disappointed not to have got anything from the game despite an outstanding team performance that had the Wids wobbling at times, particularly in the second half when they got to within four points.
But points mean prizes, and the Wids cannot have done any more than register another vital four try bonus point win in their efforts to overtake leaders Didsbury who are due at Heath Road in a few weeks’ time in that potential ‘winner takes all’ contest.
The weather for the game as kick off time approached, was again, dark, cold and damp, with the threat of rain ever hanging in the air.
As the game got underway, there were early positive signs that this was going to be another good day as Jamie Patient crossed for a try after just three minutes following some smart handling across the back division.
Wing man Jack Krause then made a strong run up the wing, before a loose pass led to a thrilling Ormskirk kick and chase which was diffused by Andy Owens who was able to clear the danger.
The opening quarter though remained scrappy until some decent handling created the overlap for Gavin Hatton to cross for a try on the opposite flank to increase the visitors lead to ten points.
Ormskirk then had a decent spell of their own on attack, and after bombing a decent chance they were quick to make amends as wing man White crossed for a try to reduce the arrears.
Not long afterwards, the home side lost a player into the sin-bin, but the Wids were unable to make them pay, and the scoreboard remained the same as the half-time whistle brought an end to the first half proceedings.
The visitors made some changes at the break by bringing on Kevin and Antony Leadbetter and Arnie Haydock, and the changes seemed to have an immediate effect as a speculative up and under wasn’t dealt with effectively by the Ormskirk defence, and Liam Lawton picked up to race 40 metres for a try which was converted by Andy Owens.
Widnes then missed another scoring opportunity, before they too lost a player to a yellow card allowing Ormskirk to convert the subsequent penalty to make it 8-17.
The decision to kick a three pointer instead of going for a try may have seemed slightly odd at the time, but Ormskirk’s tails were up now, and when wing man Slater crossed for a try in the 60th minute, it meant it really was game on again with the deficit now down to just four points.
Realising that they had a fight on their hands now, the visitors needed to score next, and fortunately, that was what happened, as some smooth handling sent in wing man Jack Krause for the all important bonus point try.
Shortly afterwards, a second Widnes player was despatched into the sinbin, before full back Andy Owens managed to calm their nerves with a well struck penalty after 70 minutes to increase their advantage.
The closing ten minutes all belonged to the home side who tried everything they could to secure themselves at least a losing bonus point and on one occasion, they were held up over the Widnes line. However, that proved to be their last real opportunity and they were forced to leave with nothing despite their massive contribution to the game.
Afterwards Wids Head coach Andy McIntosh said “Backing up from last week was the target today and Ormskirk away is never straight forward.
We did just about enough to grab a bonus point win, but the performance was not strong and we lacked in many areas of the game which we know. Lots for the lads to consider and learn from today before we welcome West Park next week”.
● ON what was generally a good afternoon for the Club, the other senior sides also recorded victories. The Seconds were comfortable 66-5 winners at Sefton to maintain top spot in Combination 1, whilst the Thirds did themselves a power of good in their battle against relegation by beating Firwood Waterloo 19-17.
● Widnes face yet another tough challenge on Saturday, when they take on close rivals West Park at Heath Road.
It is another must win game for the ‘red-andblacks’ who continue to push leaders Didsbury all the way as the business end of the season starts to appear slowly upon the horizon.
Both sides secured victories last weekend, with the Wids beating Ormskirk and Park seeing off the difficult challenge of Liverpool Collegiate 19-0 away at Aigburth.
Games between the pair have always been desperately close affairs, and although the Wids hold the upper hand in terms of number of wins since the formation of the Lancashire Leagues, there is never a given in terms of results, and another tough contest awaits before the winner of this one is known.
The game kicks off at 2.15pm.