Orrell Beat Ramsey To Keep Pressure on Top

Orrell Rugby Union scored eleven tries against Ramsey (Isle of Man) to keep pressure on the top of the table, and the promotion race.
Winger John-Joe Riley took the main spoils, scoring a hattrick, the final try of which came late in the second half to seal off the victory, adding to his brace of tries from the first half.

It was a quick start from the home side, four tries within the first quarter of the game put the match almost out of reach for the travelling side before it got chance to begin, pushing the game to 26-0 and claiming the bonus point.

Another three tries before the half, put the game out of reach for Ramsey and cemented Orrell’s first half dominance, going into the break 47-0 up.

The second half didn’t have the same one-sidedness as the first, Ramsey took their advantage from a penalty and saw a mismatch of numbers on the right edge, utilising a kick to get their first try of the game. Their second try came deep in the half from a well-worked rolling maul from a 5-metre lineout.

The home side crossed the try line four times in the second half, keeping to their structure and shape to ensure an empathic win.

Craig Thomas converted eight of his ten attempts at the sticks, whilst Terry Leaford converted his one kick of the game, to round the score off at full-time to 73-12.

Captain, Craig Thomas, said; “We’ve said all season that we need to start fast against teams and blow them away. To score four tries and pick up the bonus point within the first 20 minutes is exactly what we needed. I am proud of the lads; they kept their foot on the gas and stretched the advantage as much as they could for the remainder of the game.”

Director of Rugby, Paul Manley, said; “It was a great performance from the lads. When the temptation was there to go away from the brand of rugby that we have been working hard on, they stuck to their structure and moved the ball well. There are still some skills to improve on and another gear to find, but this puts us in really good shape for the remainder of the season.”

Orrell’s next game is at home against promotion rival’s Bury RUFC. An important win here, could blow the title race wide open.

Next match Vs Bury RUFC, Saturday 14 March 2026, 2:15pm Kick Off, Winstanley College. Post game at Orrell Red Triangle Cricket Club.

Stats:
Orrell – 73 (47)
Tries:
Adam Hunt (4’,54’), Daryl Sheridan (7’), Lewis Gibbons (14’), John-Joe Riley (16’,40+2’,76’), Denny Solomona (31’,67’), Matthew Johnson (36’), Terry Leaford (59’)
Conversions:
Craig Thomas (8/10), Terry Leaford (1/1)
Ramsey – 12 (0)
Tries: (46’, 72’)
Conversions: (1/2)