Having beaten Bury 2nds at home in the league the previous weekend Orrell 2xv faced Bury away in the first round of the Brooke Edgley Specialist Technical Services Shield.
Despite starting the day with a squad of 22 players only 16 were available by kick off. As a
consequence the team was much changed from the one that had face Bury the week before with several players making their debuts and others playing in unfamiliar positions. Included in debutants row was Aaron Povall, (son of former 1xv player Gary Povall).

From the kick off Orrell had Bury under pressure and managed to force knock on inside the Bury 22 metre area. Chris Gregory was the quickest to react, fly hacking the loose ball over the Bury try line and sprinting through to touch the ball down for Orrell’s first try. The conversion was missed 0-5. From the restart the Orrell forwards made several good runs through the centre of the Bury defence only to turn the ball over or for the final pass to go to ground. Eventually one of these runs saw the ball go to John Dickinson who broke the defensive line and ran through to score Orrell’s second try. John Dickinson converted his own try to make the score 0-12. Handling errors and penalties then gave Bury a period possession in the Orrell 22 metre area which they eventually managed to turn into a converted try 7-12.

From the restart the Orrell forwards began to dominate the game and after several good runs the Bury defensive line was broken by Chris Gregory who drew the full back and flicked the ball to Rob Lee who scored near the posts. The try was converted by John Dickinson 7-19.
A series of penalties again gave Bury possession in a good attacking position and after several unsuccessful attempts to force their way through heart of the Orrell defence they moved the ball wide and scored in the corner. The conversion was missed 12-19.

Neither side managed to score again before half time. 12-19 HT Score.

With Andy Kelly unable to start the second half Orrell had to use their only substitute and reshuffle the team. Despite this Orrell started the second half brightly and with a series of quick pick and drives forced the ball into the Bury 22 metre area. After several more phases a pick and drive by Rob Lee broke the Bury defence and he scored under the posts. The try was converted by John Dickinson 12-26.

Shortly after extending their lead Orrell were reduced to 14 men when winger Phil Walsh had to leave the field through injury. Bury immediately took advantage of their extra man and scored in the corner. The conversion was missed 17-26. The extra man then swung in Orrell’s favour. The Bury left wing took exception to a tackle by John Dickinson and received a yellow card for his trouble. With Andy Kelly able to return to the field Orrell were back to 15 however they were unable to take advantage. With 5 minutes of the game remaining Orrell were again in a good attacking position when an attempted flat pass from John Dickinson to Rob Lee was intercepted by the Bury fly half who sprinted 70 metres to score under the posts. The try was converted 24-26.

The final few minutes was all Bury and after a good break by their centres they were picking and driving near the Orrell line, the Orrell defence managed to survive the pressure and eventually isolated a player and won a penalty. With time for the line out John Dickinson’s attempted long touch from near his own try line found the Bury winger instead who ran the ball back deep into the Orrell 22 metre area. Bury again tried to pick and drive their way over the line but the Orrell defence stood up to the pressure and forced a knock on which brought the final whistle. Full time score 24-26.

Orrell RUFC 2xv have been rewarded with a home tie in the 2nd Rd of cup against Thornton Cleveleys 2xv. Tie will be played on 18th November at Winstanley College, Orrell. Kick off 14:30.