BLACKSTICKS BLUE CHALLENGE u13: Match Day One

Ormskirk 5 Manchester 34
Tries Ogdon (2), Thompson (1), Robson (1), James (1), Blood (1)
Conv Thompson (1), James (1)

By Tariq Abbas

Despite promises otherwise a rather overcast and “wettish” Sunday greeted Manchester’s U13s as they pitched up in Ormskirk to defend their Lancashire Champions title of two seasons. A warm welcome in the Clubhouse with steaming mugs of tea and coffee and bacon butties rallied the parents. Today’s fixture saw the boys wear the hallowed Manchester tie for the first time. Let’s hope their play is a varied and unpredictable as their tie wearing styles.
Ormskirk in green kicked off direct to little Joe B who wisely off-loaded, straight out of the coaching manual, to a rampaging Elis R (at pace!) who made significant inroads into a meaty Ormskirk pack before quick ball was flashed down the line. Will O gave his opposite number the “eyes” before cutting in smartly off his left and gliding in from half way to open the scoring. The crowd murmured in appreciation. Harry T dinked over the conversion to ease Manchester into a 7-0 lead.
The second Manchester score arrived in short time in almost identical fashion. Good forwards play from the kick-off saw the ball move first right along the backs and then back across the line to the left. Quick hands were once again crucial, as Harry T received ball with time and space to break a couple of tackles before scoring. The boys were up 12-0 and beginning to settle well into the game. A score line which looked even better at 17-0 as Luke J crashed over in the corner after excellent rucking by Manchester’s pack.
The rest of the first half saw the bigger Ormskirk pack getting their side back in the game to slow the ball down at the break downs. It is still early days in the season and work will have to be done in supporting men who break as promising efforts by Ollie J and Luke J came to naught as support was slow to arrive.
Alex J at scrum half enjoyed his first competitive start and worked well at moving the ball away from set pieces and the breakdown. Alex Mc, pumped up from Ireland’s morning victory over Italy, came on for Freddie C at the break.
The second half saw a real up and under of a kick-off by Manchester caught on the full by a leaping Ellis R who bludgeoned his way through the entire Ormskirk pack and a couple of backs for good measure before smashing his way over for a try to put the boys 22-0 up. Will O shimmied through once again to complete a brace and put the boys 27-0 up after fine work by Luke J and George C, who caught the eye all day, with his intelligent use of the ball at fly half. Danyal A came on for Ollie W to bolster the front row.
Ormskirk remained determined throughout and did threaten but their kicks through were cleared up smartly by the back three who played well in defence. As the second half drew to a close Ormskirk got over in the corner from a forwards’ penalty move close to the linefor a well-deserved try. Adam B, looking awesome in red, replaced a tired Mattie in the back row and James B came on for Harry D to add more power to the pack.
Manchester bounced back in typical fashion with a well-crafted team effort which saw Luke J delay his pass long enough to draw the defence and give Joe B a free run in to the line. Luke J converted the try with the last kick of the game to see Manchester run out 34-5 winners.
Thanks to Ormskirk for hosting us and best of luck for the rest of the competition.

History of the Cup & Past Winners
http://clubs.rfu.com/Clubs/portals/lancashire/LancashireRFUJuniorCupFinalsHistory.aspx
Full Fixture List
http://clubs.rfu.com/ClubEvents/uploads/1264644281112_Cup%20Draw%201.4.pdf