ORMSKIRK V MANCHESTER LANCASHIRE CUP QUARTER FINAL

I have three words for you. Commitment. Intensity. Spirit. I could (and probably should) leave the match report at that. A fitting summary of a hard fought, honest, physical encounter between two very good rugby playing sides.

Sunday saw Manchester U13s make the long trek North for the Quarter Final of the Lancashire Cup against Ormskirk. The opening salvoes of this match were concentrated in the centre of the pitch, with strong tackles flying in from both sides as each hit the gain line at pace. The home side initially had the upper hand, charging through the mud but were met by a very resolute, robust Manchester defence.

The boys held out and began to build up a head of steam of their own - and so the pattern of the game was set, punch and counter-punch. Manchester began to maraud deep into the opposition half but strong challenges from the home team kept them at bay. The deadlock was almost broken from an Ormskirk lineout won against the head. A pop pass to an on rushing Manchester player almost saw him force his way over and score in the corner but the move was held up by a fine last ditch tackle.

Then with about ten minutes on the clock a quick-thinking Manchester forward seized on a tapped Ormskirk lineout ball and, scything his way through a forest of legs, pounced on the loose ball and ratted the try. The kicker made the conversion look easy to add an extra couple of points on the board and put a bit of breathing space between us and Ormskirk - There was a feeling that every point would be precious this morning!

Ormskirk came back strongly from the kick off and put a lot of pressure on the Manchester defence as they sought an early reply. And then the visitor's reasserted themselves. You can learn a lot about your players in hard matches such as this. Today everyone had a bit of dog, a bit of steel and an attitude as they came snarling back at Ormskirk. Manchester's forwards, it's boiler room, ground through the gears, well organised and strong, putting more and more pressure on the home side which allowed our pacy backs to use the ball well, flashing it across the pitch in search of a second try.

Each side had a fair share of the ball. Players seemed to dig deeper, searching for that last ounce of strength or speed, desperate to score. Every inch of the pitch was vital, every yard keenly contested. Both teams were determined to break through the well-drilled and encamped massed ranks of the other. This was junior rugby at its most absorbing. You couldn't take your eyes off it. The half ended with Ormskirk again pressing deep into Manchester territory, looking dangerous.

Stats for this half are as follows: Manchester kicked the ball once whilst Ormskirk kicked five times. Manchester didn't have a lineout, whilst Ormskirk had three, losing two. We had six scrums, winning all six. Ormskirk were also awarded six, winning three. We had no penalties but the home side were awarded five. Stats showed that in this first period the ball got out to the wing seven times but there were also seven breakdowns, with five knock ons.

HALF TIME
Ormskirk 0 Manchester 7

With their backs firmly against the wall, Manchester were under seige as Ormskirk flew out of the blocks at the start of the second half and they deservedly scored when a home team player crossed the line under the posts from a loose ball at a ruck deep in Manchester territory. The conversion kick was good, to put the sides level.

The next few minutes would be crucial, which side would grab the initiative? Stung, Manchester responded, launching attacks down the flanks. With all the play in the Ormskirk half Manchester pushed deep into the home side's 22 and finally regained the lead when a Manchester player crashed through the Ormskirk lines and though momentarily stopped managed to plough his way over the whitewash to score under the uprights. Once again our kicker converted to increase the lead further.

The remainder of the game saw Ormskirk throw everything at us as they searched for another try. Their pacey backs constantly sprinting at Manchester's defence only to be grounded well. For one moment it looked like they'd broken through but their player was brought down by a beautifully timed tackle and Manchester held on for a hard fought for victory.

Stats for this quarter are as follows: Manchester kicked the ball eight times whilst Ormskirk didn't kick. Manchester had one lineout which they won, whilst Ormskirk had two, losing both. We had three scrums, winning all three. Ormskirk were awarded one which they won. Both teams had three penalties apiece. Stats showed that in this first period the ball got out to the wing four times but there were once again seven breakdowns, with two knock ons.

FULL TIME
Ormskirk 7 Manchester 14

There's no substitute for guts, and both teams showed that in abundance out there. A proper game of no-holds-barred rugby in the mud, played in exactly the right spirit and enthusiasm, which I hope reads as a massive testament to both sets of players and coaches. Many thanks to Ormskirk, a great team, great club and great hospitality.

I have three words for you. Commitment. Intensity. Spirit. I could (and probably should) leave the match report at that. A fitting summary of a hard fought, honest, physical encounter between two very good rugby playing sides.

Sunday saw Manchester U13s make the long trek North for the Quarter Final of the Lancashire Cup against Ormskirk. The opening salvoes of this match were concentrated in the centre of the pitch, with strong tackles flying in from both sides as each hit the gain line at pace. The home side initially had the upper hand, charging through the mud but were met by a very resolute, robust Manchester defence.

The boys held out and began to build up a head of steam of their own - and so the pattern of the game was set, punch and counter-punch. Manchester began to maraud deep into the opposition half but strong challenges from the home team kept them at bay. The deadlock was almost broken from an Ormskirk lineout won against the head. A pop pass to an on rushing Manchester player almost saw him force his way over and score in the corner but the move was held up by a fine last ditch tackle.

Then with about ten minutes on the clock a quick-thinking Manchester forward seized on a tapped Ormskirk lineout ball and, scything his way through a forest of legs, pounced on the loose ball and ratted the try. The kicker made the conversion look easy to add an extra couple of points on the board and put a bit of breathing space between us and Ormskirk - There was a feeling that every point would be precious this morning!

Ormskirk came back strongly from the kick off and put a lot of pressure on the Manchester defence as they sought an early reply. And then the visitor's reasserted themselves. You can learn a lot about your players in hard matches such as this. Today everyone had a bit of dog, a bit of steel and an attitude as they came snarling back at Ormskirk. Manchester's forwards, it's boiler room, ground through the gears, well organised and strong, putting more and more pressure on the home side which allowed our pacy backs to use the ball well, flashing it across the pitch in search of a second try.

Each side had a fair share of the ball. Players seemed to dig deeper, searching for that last ounce of strength or speed, desperate to score. Every inch of the pitch was vital, every yard keenly contested. Both teams were determined to break through the well-drilled and encamped massed ranks of the other. This was junior rugby at its most absorbing. You couldn't take your eyes off it. The half ended with Ormskirk again pressing deep into Manchester territory, looking dangerous.

Stats for this half are as follows: Manchester kicked the ball once whilst Ormskirk kicked five times. Manchester didn't have a lineout, whilst Ormskirk had three, losing two. We had six scrums, winning all six. Ormskirk were also awarded six, winning three. We had no penalties but the home side were awarded five. Stats showed that in this first period the ball got out to the wing seven times but there were also seven breakdowns, with five knock ons.

HALF TIME
Ormskirk 0 Manchester 7

With their backs firmly against the wall, Manchester were under seige as Ormskirk flew out of the blocks at the start of the second half and they deservedly scored when a home team player crossed the line under the posts from a loose ball at a ruck deep in Manchester territory. The conversion kick was good, to put the sides level.

The next few minutes would be crucial, which side would grab the initiative? Stung, Manchester responded, launching attacks down the flanks. With all the play in the Ormskirk half Manchester pushed deep into the home side's 22 and finally regained the lead when a Manchester player crashed through the Ormskirk lines and though momentarily stopped managed to plough his way over the whitewash to score under the uprights. Once again our kicker converted to increase the lead further.

The remainder of the game saw Ormskirk throw everything at us as they searched for another try. Their pacey backs constantly sprinting at Manchester's defence only to be grounded well. For one moment it looked like they'd broken through but their player was brought down by a beautifully timed tackle and Manchester held on for a hard fought for victory.

Stats for this quarter are as follows: Manchester kicked the ball eight times whilst Ormskirk didn't kick. Manchester had one lineout which they won, whilst Ormskirk had two, losing both. We had three scrums, winning all three. Ormskirk were awarded one which they won. Both teams had three penalties apiece. Stats showed that in this first period the ball got out to the wing four times but there were once again seven breakdowns, with two knock ons.

FULL TIME
Ormskirk 7 Manchester 14

There's no substitute for guts, and both teams showed that in abundance out there. A proper game of no-holds-barred rugby in the mud, played in exactly the right spirit and enthusiasm, which I hope reads as a massive testament to both sets of players and coaches. Many thanks to Ormskirk, a great team, great club and great hospitality.