Orrell Colts
What do old Orrell favourites Peter Williams, David Cleary, Peter Bayman, John Carleton, Barry Fishwick, Peter Phillips, Bill Lyon, Bob Kimmins, Chas Cusani, Sammy Southern, and hundreds of others all have in common. Answer, they all came through Orrells colts and junior section. Since the start of the professional era, few have been hit harder than this section, they are being kept going by a few dedicated unsung heroes and need all the help they can get. If we as a club want to flourish in the future,this is were the heart of our sides will come from.
If you could help in any way at all, please contact one of the committee.
Orrell Junior Colts 2008-2009 the season so far
At the end of the under 16's season 2007-2008 the team was in turmoil both coaches had stepped down and several players were looking for other clubs a few had already signed for Wigan RUFC and some were looking to a return to league rugby others had just had enough and wanted to enjoy life with no commitment things were looking bleak. Colin Nicholson stepped in and put on the table what was on offer in the future for the lads to stay at Orrell and with the help of Keith Roberts the nucleus of the team was kept together over the summer although the turn out was low for training.
Any way with the summer over and the team struggling with a minimum of 15 players we went into our first game away at Burnley. It all started well with Jones getting the first try of the match but the Orrell team didn't have the power or depth to combat the Burnley pack that ran out eventual winners 44 to 15 but you could see the commitment form the players on the pitch and being beaten hurt. Hopping once the lads started college they could bring a few new faces in to strengthen the team then the only way is up.
What a difference a week makes, A home game against Bowden and friends and family turned out in numbers to watch and what a show it was Orrell were on fire they played to their strengths getting the ball out to the wide players make use of the wide pitch and the speed we had available in the backs. Orrell destroyed the Bowden defence 43-19 with Grant and Davies being named men of the match.
With a good win under our belt we travelled to Winnington Park for our third league game (Winnington Park have since folded and are therefore not shown in the league table). It was a strange game with only a squad of 15 players we started the second half 19-10 down and with the team picking up several injuries we thought it wasn't going to be our day and to be honest the only player likely to score was Armstrong on the wing so the ball was fed out to him at every opportunity but they had him covered by 2 men every time and time was something we were running out of. three minutes to go and Armstrong manages to avoid 2 strong tackles to take the ball over for a try. Then in the final 30 seconds his pace destroyed the Winnington Park defence to break their hearts with Orrell winning 19-20 but it was a surprise win and the lads never say die attitude carried them through in a game we never expected to win with so many walking wounded. Armstrong was named man of the match for his try scoring hat trick.
At this point we had a couple of new lads join the squad Hughes and Houghton who transferred over from league and what a difference these 2 made Hughes for his kicking ability and Houghton with his strength and power. Capitalising on this the next 2 games were Oswestrey and Capenhurst which Orrell won impressively 42-3 against Oswestrey and 59-0 against Capenhurst. The squad had now grown in size to 20 odd players so competition for places was high and the team was growing in confidence and ability.
We next travelled to Kendal confidence was high and a win was expected Orrell started well with nice flowing rugby and Orrell having most of the possession inevitably Orrell took the lead through Armstrong. If a match was to turn on 1 moment it was this match 10 minutes after his first try Armstrong was injured and taken of to hospital for stitches to a badly cut eye. Orrell still retained most of the ball won line out and scrums but couldn't find the final ball. In the 2nd half it was the same Kendal didn't look like scoring but when an Orrell ball was charged down Kendle scored an unlikely try which was converted then to rub salt into the wound Orrell gave away a penalty in the dying seconds to give a final score of 10 5 to Kendal Thomas was given man of the match for playing out of position in the second row and giving away about 3 stone in weight.
With the rainy season upon us we have had to start rearranging matches as John Rigby are deemed unplayable Eccles was the first. Eccles were taken apart in the first half with some superb play the speed with which our backs were moving the ball was to much for the Eccles team. Although they changed their tactics in the second half and kept the ball in the pack more the damage had been done Orrell were worthy winners 28-19. Armstrong was named man of the match for another hat trick of tries
We then travelled to Prenton and Birkenhead on consecutive weeks again due to the condition of John Rigby Pitches Prenton we lost 24-14 Birkenhead we won 26-16.
With the weather affecting earlier games Orrells game was given a later kick of time of 13.30 which also gave Tarlton a chance to muster up a squad as they were struggling for players and as Orrells front row had been decimated by illness the game was to be played with uncontested scrums.
Whitfield was captain, Tarlton won the toss and kicked off Hughes received the ball and launched it forward Farrimond chased only for it to go straight out bringing the game back to were it was kicked for a line out to Tarlton which they won an led to their first try and conversion. From the kick off Orrell chased and were rewarded with a knock on from the resulting scrum Grant picked up the ball and powered forward passing to Mullan for his first try of the season. As long as Orrell could keep the ball moving Tarlton didn't have any answer to Orrells pace. Orrells 2nd try came from wing wizard Armstrong tarlton kicked to clear the ball was received by Jones whose running opened up space for Armstong who on receiving the ball was to fast and strong for the Tarlton defence giving Hughes an easy kick not long after a similar move allowed Hornby to split the defence and off load to Armstong in for his second try which Hughes easily converted. Orrell seemed to be well in control at this point and when Jones received the ball from another scrum due to Tarlton Knocking on and ran it in for another try it was looking like a good day for Orrell.From Tarlton's kick off Orrell fumbled the catch and although it went behind Orrell had to scramble it clear as result allowed Tarlton a lineout which they won and from the resulting drive scored a try which they easily converted.The 2nd half stared and Tarlton's team talk must have been about keeping the ball and not letting it out wide as they tied to stifle the game and use there power to drive the ball forward and when they were awarded a 5 metre scrum it was inevitable that they would score and so they did with shear power forcing their way over in the corner. Having got the try they really put Orrell under a lot of pressure with all the play in Orrell's half then from an Orrell scrum Presho receives the ball and runs three quarter of the pitch to score a wonderful individual try and although there were other players supporting him they were not required. The 2nd half continued in his vane with Tarlton pushing forward and Orrell vigorously defending the line Houghton had an outstanding game not putting a foot wrong and his defensive work was outstanding. Tarlton then scored another try but missed the conversion and Orrell held on to grab victory. The coach usually picks the man of the match but as he was unable to attend the referee commented on Gareth Houghton and what a good game he had so the award goes to him although the whole team worked hard for this result. Final Score Tarlton 24 Orrell.Orrell v Ormskirk B Another match that should have been played at John Rigby College but due to the condition of the pitches we had to arrange for the match to be played away with a later kick off of 13.30. On arrival, Ormskirk only had a team of 13 players so in the interests of good rugby and fair play Orrell reduced their team to 13.Louis Whitfield (Capt) led the Orrell team out won the toss and kicked off. The first 10mins it was fairly even with both teams trying to find the breakthrough. Ormskirk then had a late arrival so the team sizes were increased to 14 a side and this seemed to spur Orrell into action. Grant attacking the Ormskirk defence Knocked on and gave Ormskirk a scrum which when it came out the back was kicked to clear Mullan caught the ball majestically and whipped it out to Whitfield who saw Armstong with a clear run for the 1st try of the match Which Hughes converted with ease. From kick off the Orrell attack carried the ball into touch and from the resulting lineout Ormskirk Knocked on and gave Orrell a scrum, from the scrum Grant passed the ball to Presho who used Hornby as the dummy passed to Whitfield for the 2nd try. Orrell where now in commanding form and looked like they could score with every attack as Ormskirk had no answer to the pace of the backs, 4 more tries were scored in the first half 2 more by the wing wizard Armstrong and 1 each by Jones and Presho . The 2nd half started with Ormskirk trying to raise their game and come back into it and get some points on the board and where given the opportunity quite early when a mistake by Orrell gave them a penalty but they failed to convert it. They continued to pressurise the Orrell defence with most of the action in Orrell's half then a kicked clearance by Presho was chased down by Armstrong who left Ormskirk standing for the 1st try of the second half. Orrell now regained their composure and started to exert pressure on the Ormskirk defence and it wasn't long before Ormskirk cracked again. This time Grant picked up the ball from a 5metre scrum and powers over the line Whitfield then scored another try for Orrell as they were in commanding form. The last try of the match was scored by Willcock after Presho chipped the ball forward for Willcock to chase and catch and carried over for a try. The only time Orrell were in trouble was when picking up a kick from Ormskirk Jones slipped and it allowed Ormskirk to have a sustained attack on he Orrell Defence but they resisted all attempts and finally cleared through Mullan apart from that Orrell had no problems from Ormskirk at all. Final score Orrell 64 Ormskirk B Captain Whitfield was awarded Man of the match for his vision and leadership although Hughes gave him a run for his money with his kicking.
We had problems with players and the turnover of squad players at the beginning of the season but we have a nicely balanced team now with the correct nurturing could go far. New lads Hughes, Houghton and Mullan have made a difference to the squad blending well with the old guard of Grant, Bond, Whitfield, Moran and Armstrong plus we have welcomed back several old team players Presho, Hornby and Watts. What we are short of is a couple of front row players so if anyone knows where we can find some they will be welcomed with open arms.
Whitfield (Capt), Hornby, Jones, Hughes, Mullan, Houghton, Twist, Cunliffe, Farrimond, Presho, Bond, Wadsley, Watts, Armstrong, Grant, Moran, Johnson, Willcock,Hargreaves.
Armstong Leading Try scorer with 24 tries.
Sam Armstrong and Josh Grant were put in for trials with Lancashire under 17s and Josh Grant got through to the schools northwest team with Runshaw College
