Orrell vs Hoylake

Orrell 35 – 10 Hoylake

Orrell RUFC moved ten points clear at the top of Lancs / Cheshire Division One following a 35-10 victory over promotion rivals Hoylake RUFC.

A strong performance from the home side saw them ultimately run in six tries at the Dr1ve Medicals arena, adding another win and try bonus point to this seasons tally.

James Ratcliffe moved to stand-off as Kieran Herbert had been side-lined with an ankle injury, Alex Gaskell returned in the centres after a three-game absence and a late training ground injury forced captain Dan Huxley to miss the game.

Louis Whitfield and Rob Lee were called up as replacements and their energy and enthusiasm added a real buzz in the changing rooms.

Both sides exchanged blows early doors and the first quarter of the game was a real contest. The early Orrell lead came from the boot of James Ratcliffe but it was the visitors who crossed for the first try of the game putting them 3 – 7 up and most definitely on the front foot.

Orrell wasted no time in responding and after the sustained Hoylake pressure and subsequent try, a strong kick chase resulted in Jack Granby regaining possession from a lack lustre Hoylake winger 20 metres out.

Granby, who had already sprinted 60 metres, then put on the afterburners evading Hoylakes covering defence, before touching down for a five pointer in the bottom right hand corner.

The home side were back in front but had to be on their guard as Hoylake kept coming with wave after wave of attack. Some stern defence kept the visitors at bay but then two quick fire tries followed for the black and ambers.

Firstly Lloyd Davies finished off a strong rolling maul and then Tom Halsall crossed for a superb solo try after some slick play from the backs.

Orrell led at half time 18-7 but with a few kicks sailing wide of the posts, Orrell certainly weren’t home and dry.

It was the visitors that started the second half the strongest and in turn they secured the first points after deciding to take the kick from a penalty right in front of the sticks. As the half progressed the home-side turned the screw and from a set piece Matt Johnson sliced through the Hoylake defence before drawing in the full back and offloading to the supporting Alex Gaskell.

With Hoylake down to 14 men for persistent penalties and back chat, the extra man that Orrell had was exploited. Kyle Herbert, arguably Orrell’s most improved player over the course of the season barged his way over from close range for his try in four years, which was celebrated accordingly with his team mates.

Alex Gaskell got his second try of the game in the final minute as he finished off another fine backs move. The impressive Ratcliffe had sliced through the Hoylake defence before composing himself to send the ball through the hands at speed to the Orrell flyer, Gaskell, who crashed in at the corner for superb try that Ratcliffe converted.

Orrell RUFC – 35 (18)

Tries – Granby (20), Davies (33), Halsall (38), Gaskell (60, 79), Herbert (72).
Goal(s) – Ratcliffe (1C, 1P)

Team: J Grant, L Davies, K Herbert, A Stott, J Granby, M Huxley, B Garner, W Harris, A Worley, J Ratcliffe, M Johnson, T Halsall, A Gaskell, M Stott, C Owen, R Lee, B Roden, L Whitfield.
Hoylake RUFC – 10 (7)
Try – (10)
Goals – 2

The next game for the Blacks and Ambers, and the final game of 2019, will be away to New Brighton on Saturday 14 December, 2:15pm kick off.