Rugby returned to St. John Rigby College and with the weather bright and sunny Orrell 1xv welcomed our friends from Garstang. Garstang arrived with high hopes from this game, three consecutive wins had their tails high. Orrell on the other hand had one goal, win at all costs with a bonus point to keep pressure on the rest of the clubs at the summit of Lancashire/ Cheshire league. Orrell were forced the bring in a number of changes in the pack with players away or injured.

The game kicked off and Orrell started the brightest of the two teams pressing Garstang’s defence. Penalty count started to creep up against Orrell and allowed Garstang to clear its line in the first quarter of the half. Some dodgy kicking from the visitors allowed Orrell to take advantage and with 17 minutes on the clock Alex Gaskell scores the first try in the corner. With the conversion missed the score 5-0 to home team.

Orrell continued to have the upper hand and on 28 minutes scored try no 2 by Craig Thomas, Craig Thmoas kicked the conversion to make it Orrell 12-0 Garstang.

Orrell continued to dominate and just before half time after the first or Orrell’s interchanges saw the best try of the match. Play started well in Orrell’s half with Dan Huxley and Jack Granby taking the ball to the Garstang forwards. Quick and silk hands in the backs moved the ball across the pitch allowing 2nd row Jack Johnston crosses over the line under the posts for a fantastic team try, Craig Thomas kicked the conversion and at half time Orrell led 19-0.

Orrell started the 2nd half strong and with some strong running from Wilbur Harris allowed Alex Gaskell to score his 2nd try to take the score to 24-0

The game plan seemed to then fall apart for the home team and a spirited Garstang team opened their account with a try and conversion. Garstang continued to press Orrell’s line and after a series of technical offences in the scrum the referee awarded Garstang a penalty try. Orrell finally started to challenge Garstang and referee awarded Orrell a rare penalty which was kicked by Craig Thomas.

Bonus point secured, game came to an end; Orrell 1xv 27 Garstang 1xv 14.

My MoM was Jack Johnston.

Blank weekend again for Orrell 1xv and next fixture will see Orrell 1xv away at Port Sunlight, Saturday 2nd March kick off 2:15