Everyone has their own opinions on whether sport should have taken place after the passing of our amazing Queen. The RFU decided rugby would and before the game both team’s players and supporters took part in a very moving 2 minutes silence. On the centre of the pitch was a huge EIIR which had been painted on by our groundsman Mark. It was an emotional fitting tribute to an amazing woman.

The game kicked off with Ormskirk instantly showing that they have come here to win the small battles and ultimately to win the war. The physicality instantly put us on the back foot as the ball was turned over after 3 phases. One thing that is never lacking no matter how well we are playing, is intensity in defence, debutant Matt Lago and Michael Jessiman put in some big tackles. Minutes later Ormskirk looked to take us on in the backs with some good ball handling as they worked hard to keep the ball alive, good tackling from Rob Gatefield and captain Gwil Jones kept them out. After a penalty was won and 12 minutes into the game, Ellery Hodson released some of the pressure by taking us to the half way line. From the lineout we decided to also keep the ball alive at all costs, something we don’t do and never have, but it sometimes happens you end up basically mirroring the opposition, easy to get into and very hard to get out of. We were not playing well, Ormskirk were and we were struggling to get out of our third of the pitch. Ormskirk came forward in waves again and as hard as our defence was working, we just couldn’t plug the gaps quickly enough and they scored just to the right of the posts. If honest, we looked tired, we looked lethargic and just couldn’t get into the game with any kind of go forward and composure, again this happens. 0-7 down, us not playing well, Ormskirk looking better by the minute and us giving away 7 penalties in the first 15 minutes wasn’t a good start. As the minutes seemed to fly by Ormskirk again pressed our defence but we kept them out and won a penalty. Ellery made us 25 metres and from the lineout Sam Norris shot through a gap and darted 15 metres, Michael Jessiman and Dom Anderson kept us moving forward. Rob Gatefield spun out of a tackle he fed Marcus O’Donohoe who spun the ball out to Geoff Fielden and just as he looked to sprint in from 10 metres some great cover defence bundled him into touch. We were now, after 25 minutes beginning to increase our composure and execute the game plan, this though was slowly happening and Ormskirk looked dangerous going forward. I just wanted half time to come so we could all reset and refocus. Considering we were not playing well though our defence was very solid and we just needed something to happen to give everyone confidence. Sometimes it’s a big tackle or a good run, this one was a penalty, although it was missed it was a positive and when you are not playing well every little positive makes a huge difference. We now looked to start working the plan, we started to go forward and now it was Ormskirk who were plugging the gaps. Good work from Rob Gatefield and Chris Highton drove the defenders back as they were struggling to organise themselves. Tom Wexler smashed through a tackle and gave quick ball, Sam Norris fed Michael Jessiman of a set move and gave an inside ball to Chris Highton and he barged over with Connor Parsons helping him to power over. With the conversion missed and 5-7 down, not playing well things could have looked bad, the thing is I know this team, even when they lose, they work hard and always put themselves in good positions to get into a game they are finding hard to get into. My message at half time was simple,” you will get back into this game, I know we will and I’m telling you now you will win it”.

That message looked to have been turned on its head as 10 minutes into the second half we were down 5-12, I still believed though stood on the side-line that we would get back into this game. After winning a penalty just to the right of the posts it seemed we would increase our tally of points, unfortunately it was missed. One thing I do know is nobody misses kicks on purpose, its all about confidence especially when you’ve already missed one before, its so easy to say “oh he shouldn’t be missing that”, when you are stood in front of the posts facing the opposition, knowing your team are behind you relying on you, knowing your coaches are willing you to convert it and knowing supporters and family are watching praying to see the ball go between the uprights it’s not that easy. Ellery Hodson and Sam Norris now really started to take control of the game and were making decisions that made us look dangerous and very organised. Ormskirk now seemed to start tiring as we imposed ourselves on them. Rob Gatefield and Sam Norris combined to feed Dom Anderson who passed onto Logan Singleton who was working hard and made some great tackles, the ball was recycled and Matt Lago was pushed back from the line by some good defence. Seconds later we won a penalty right in front of the posts and Ellery Hodson made the score 8-12. Ormskirk found another gear though and went close twice to stretching their lead with some good work from the number 7. Within a minute we made a break with Geoff Fielden and James Fisher made 25 metres but Geoff was tackled into touch. The game now was opening up with both teams looking dangerous. 15 minutes from the end though we really kicked into gear and we totally dominated everything, another penalty was missed by us but seconds later we levelled the score with 5 minutes left. Michael Jessiman scored a good try after some great runs from Sam Norris, Rob Gatefield and Logan Singleton. Ellery Hodson converted to make it 15-12. A late flurry from Ormskirk looked to apply pressure but we held firm and it was fitting that debutants Dion Matson and Matt Lago pushed us over the line, after Dion made a good tackle to stop a dangerous attack and Matt jackling the ball to win us a penalty, Ellery Hodson kicked the ball out and that was it the referee ended the game.

Some good performances from Matt Lago and Sam Norris really stood out and Chris Highton putting in a warrior like performance at flanker. Logan Singleton was good in the lineouts and worked hard in defence and attack and Dom Anderson was ferocious in defence. Michael Jessiman again led from the front always encouraging with Ellery Hodson controlled in attack and very physical in defence.

The man of the match though voted for by the players was Rob Gatefield, rob was so good in defence and made some great probing runs. He always looked threatening and always seemed to break the first tackle.

Ormskirk played well and if honest they definitely won more battles than us but just couldn’t win the war. We were too organised for them in the end and were more physical as the game entered the last 20 minutes. Our mental strength and intensity is definitely one of our biggest attributes when we are under pressure.

Next Saturday we will need to show that as we travel to Bolton.