Match Report Wallasey Vs Orrell

Date:	17/10/2009
Kick Off:	15:00
Half Time:	Wallasey 10	Orrell 12
Full Time:	Wallasey 17	Orrell 24

Orrell had to shuffle their starting line up as 2 of the team were delayed on the journey. Nevertheless they started well with Max Huxley returning the kick-off with a surging 50 yard run giving Orrell the opportunity to apply some early pressure on the Wallasey line. In the first five minutes Orrell came close to scoring a couple of times by moving the ball back and forth across the line. Gary Nicholson made some elusive runs down the right hand side. However it was Wallasey who opened the scoring after 10 minutes when Orrell lost the ball in mid-field and Wallasey's number 12 ran 50 yards
avoiding several despairing tackles to touch down under the sticks leaving an easy conversion. 7-0.
The lead only lasted 5 minutes as Orrell applied more pressure on the Wallasey line. Peter Sprung picked a good angle and drove over near the posts for a try which Chris Bennett converted. 7 - 7.
Orrell were now in the ascendancy with strong forward driving and inter-passing, applying more pressure on the Wallasey line. Peter Sprung continuing his good early season form was well supported by Danny Allan and Jonathan Pegg. Orrell continued to have territorial advantage but made too many silly mistakes giving away penalties which allowed Wallasey to relieve the pressure. On the thirty minute mark, in a rare foray into the Orrell 22 Wallasey were awarded another penalty which they converted, the incident also resulted in a yellow card for Peter Sprung.10 - 7.
However the half was to finish on a high for Orrell, when on 35minutes Mark Hewlett fielded what looked like an excellent clearance kick from Wallasey. This started a move down the right hand side beating two players and linking up with Gary Nicholson and then Jeff Gavin for Gavin to score near the touchline. The try was not converted. Half time 10 - 12.
The second half started with Orrell continuing to apply pressure to the Wallasey line. Some quick handling from Jeff Gavin put Lewis Whitfield over but the pass was judged to be forward. However, moments later Gary Nicholson returned a Wallasey clearance kick, linking with Peter Sprung down the
right hand side. The ball eventually went to Jeff Gavin who dummied his way over from 20 yards for his second try of the match. Chris Bennett converted to take the score to 10 -19. Orrell's scrum was performing well with Jonathan Pegg taking 2 against the head, quite a rare occurrence in the
modern game. Caldwell, Allen and Sprung continued to carry the ball up well. However play now became scrappy as Orrell started to loosen their grip letting Wallasey more into the game. On the hour a missed kick for touch by Orrell invited pressure in their own 22 which resulted in the Wallasey left wing getting some space on the outside to run around the Orrell defence and score under the posts for another easy conversion .17 - 19.
The last 15 minutes was a nervous time for the Orrell travelling supporters. Wallasey were moving the ball well along their back line and looked dangerous. They missed a drop goal attempt. Orrell defended their line well and pressured Wallasey into mistakes. A fine break by Andy Unsworth from a
scrum in the middle of the park resulted in John Presho being tackled into touch just short of the Wallasey line on the left hand side. Wallasey eventually cleared their line only for Unsworth to find an excellent touch deep in the Wallasey 22. From the resulting line out Orrell managed to turn the ball over and moved the ball quickly out to the left. Gavin attempted a little chip through, which ricocheted off a Wallasey player and into the hands of Lewis Whitfield who stepped his way over to score an unconverted try to seal the game for Orrell. Final score Wallasey 17 - Orrell 24.
Orrells next match is away at Douglas Isle of Man Kick Off 3pm.