Colts beat Ormskirk

From the offset, Widnes were on the front foot playing the majority of the game in the Ormskirk half. But despite their dominance, Widnes looked nervous and their passing ability seemed to be absent. Widnes pushed and pushed but had very little to show for their efforts. The ground was heavy and the backs had very little to work with. For all the ground they gained, the last pass seemed to be absent from a number of players and silly handling mistakes meant Widnes had very little to show for all their efforts.

Widnes’s nerves were calmed after continual infringements by Ormskirk resulted in a penalty kick in front of the sticks for Widnes and Andy Owens stepped up and claimed the three points. Ormskirk might have been a heavier and older squad but Widnes were not fazed and grew in confidence, holding their own in the scrums, despite the Ormskirk No 9 continually coming past the tunnel and making it a messy ball for Alex Jones and Rob Cooke.

The referee was keen with his whistle and stopped any side gaining any momentum, blowing up as soon as either team got into the second phase of play. Widnes continued to apply pressure and Andy Owens then scored a great individual try, combined with some strong determined running he powered over the line taking two Ormskirk players with him. He rounded off with the conversion and Widnes led 10 – 0.

Ormskirk responded with a good period of open play and it was end to end stuff, but the Widnes forwards were determined to maintain a solid defence and kept Ormskirk off the score sheet. Widnes regained control with some great rucking and had the majority of the ball in the first half, but they did not capitalise on the number of overlaps the created, with a bit more vision the score line could have been a lot higher in Widnes’s favour.

The ball was kicked time and time again (a bit too much!) and Matt Geraghty was denied a number of points because of the low bounce. Matt Walker gained plenty of ground but Alex Jones’s, terrier like ways, kept the pressure on Ormskirk and a neat rip of the ball in open play allowed him to seat up Jamie Patient whose speed and balance allowed him to weave through the Ormskirk centers and go over the line. Widnes led at half time 17 – 0.

From the restart Ormskirk continued to push and were quick to get over the line after some static defending from Widnes. Widnes rallied and upped the tackle count with Josh Salter, Liam Barlow and Sean Glover putting their bodies on the line. George McGarvey provided some steady throws today and allowed Jonny Cooke and Jon Brett to secure some great ball. The introduction of Will Johnson gave the team a new momentum at the break down and the backs finally clicked. The heavy pitch now started to pay dividends, Ormskirk looked flat footed and Andy Owens capitalized on this and stole a great ball from a loose Ormskirk pass. Allowing him to zip down the pitch from the halfway line and swallow dive under the sticks.

The forwards continued to secure ball and turnovers were a plenty. The introduction of Tom Whitefield at second row gave him a new dimension to his game and he used his running strength to push forward and trouble Ormskirk. Widnes saved the best till last, having secured the ball in the scrum the ball went through the hands and the backs showed their class with a final pass to JP who powered over the line to seal the victory.

Coaches’ mentions go to Will Johnson, Runner up MOM – Matt Walker, but MOM was Andy Owens.

Widnes Senior Colts Team Sheet

1. Will Patient
2. George McGarvey
3. Liam Barlow
4. Alex Howell
5. John Brett
6. Jonny Cooke
7. Luke Beyga
8. Allan Breeden
9. Alex Jones
10. Rob Cooke
11. Dan Doyle
12. Matt Walker
13. Jamie Patient
14. Matt Geraghty
15. Andy Owens

16. Will Johnson
17. Lee Thompson
18. Jamie Hughes
19. Sean Glover
20. Josh Salter
21. Tom Whitfield