Orrell RUFC vs Birchfield RFC

Orrell started the game brightly and pressured Birchfield into conceding a succession of 3 early penalties, ably converted by Craig Thomas to give Orrell a 9-0 start after just 15 minutes. Slick passing through the backs resulted in a try in the right corner for Wynne on 18 minutes.

The heavy Birchfield pack then slowed the game, and they gained territorial advantage through a series of penalties conceded by Orrell. Two tries in quick succession on 35 and 40 minutes from clever fly kicks by the Birchfield full back gave them a scoreline of just 14-12 in Orrell’s favour at the break.

During the interval Orrell were urged to play to their strengths in attack and to cease the infringements. They duly obliged and the expansive game with which they had started the match returned. The ball moved freely between forwards and backs, with Orrell running from all areas of the field. This led to a succession of tries from Andy Bourne, Max Huxley (2), and Lloyd Davies to extend Orrell’s lead to 38-14 mid way through the second half.

Orrell made changes, bringing Kyle Herbert into the front row to replace Mark Williams, and Matty Johnson into the back line to replace Wynne. The changes halted Orrell’s attack momentarily, and they conceded a 3rd Birchfield converted try on 70 minutes.

The wake-up call rallied Orrell, and a succession of quick passes over 60 metres saw Bourne score his second try five minutes before the end, for Orrell to win by 43-19.