Ormskirk 15 - 29 Wigan

Wigan travelled to Ormskirk for the latest round of the ADM Lancs Chesire league, looking to keep up the chase for the top spot in the league. Wigan have recent history with Ormskirk, with the West Lancs men always proving a tricky tie and considered to be a bit of a bogey team.

Conditions were soft underfoot, but the weather was dry with bright sunshine, something that would play its part as the game progressed.

Ormskirk started the game on the front foot, assisted by a generous slope and the low sun at their backs. A burst from their back row was assisted by some poor tackling from the Wigan side and the ball was taken over from just inside the 22 metre line to give the home side a 7-0 lead after 11 minutes.

Things went from bad to worse and it seemed the Ormskirk curse was ready to strike once again as a box kick on halfway pitched inside the Wigan 22 close to the touchline. Unsighted by the low sun the Wigan fullback lost sight of the ball, but there were no such problems for the chasing winger who fly hacked the ball through and over the try line before diving on for the score to make it 12-0.

On the half hour, Wigan started to settle into the game and as the sun dipped behind the treeline, the Douglas Valley men began the fight back in earnest. Having worked into good position, Wigan were awarded a penalty 30 yards out, rather than take the easy points, a quick tap was taken which caught the Ormskirk defence off guard. Danny Cassidy chipped the ball over the full back and Nathan Butler caught it on the full before cutting inside the remaining defender for Wigan’s opening score. Cassidy added the conversion.

With the clock ticking down on the first half, Wigan were awarded another penalty within kicking range and this time opted for the 3 points to close the gap. Cassidy slotted it over to take the scores to 12-10 at half time.

Ormskirk regrouped at the break and restarted in fine form. Working their way into Wigan territory, a moment of indiscipline was punished, and Ormskirk took the 3 points to go 15-10 up.

But it wasn’t long before Wigan were back in the ascendancy and Danny Cassidy found space down the right wing, leaving defenders trailing in his wake to go over in the corner and tie the game at 15 all.

Wigan finally took the lead with 15 minutes to go. Some good work close to the Ormskirk line saw Wayne Bullough pick and go and crash over the line for Wigan’s third try of the day. Danny Cassidy added the conversion.

With the clock ticking down and Wigan searching for an elusive 4th try and the subsequent bonus point, Ormskirk were in possession deep in their own territory. Some good Wigan pressure led to a mistake in the Ormskirk back line and their full back scrambled to clear the ball from his own in goal area. The kick was sliced terribly and didn’t leave the 22, instead heading for space out on the opposite wing. John Foster, read the game well, despite claims that he was ‘having a breather out on the wing’ and appeared under the high ball. He fielded well and took the ball on to the scrambling defence before putting Chris Carr in for the try that sealed the win and the bonus point. Cassidy added the conversion and the game finished 15-29.

Wigan welcome friends and neighbours, Orrell, to Douglas Valley this Saturday, 13th January, with kick off scheduled for 2.15pm.