A bright and breezy February day saw a range of age experiences, and of course skills, in jovial mood for the Ormskirk rematch. The first encounter can only be described as well an ass whooping for the maroons down at their place.

With edge hill uni not having a game Ormskirks ranks were bolstered to a very healthy 28ish a fair statement for a travelling team.

With both Clitheroe teams at home it was the little walk to the favoured Ribblesdale pitch for the 2s much to the disgust of the opposition. In usual fashion the skipper lost the toss and opted to receive the kick with the wind and sun on the maroons backs.
Within minutes the maroons gave away a penalty on the 22, 0-3 down five mins later Ormskirk scampered through the defence for their first try of the day.
The maroons regrouped and started the march back up the pitch the pack working effectively the returning Patrick Onion in fine form into everything and everyone; the big lads carrying well giving the experienced Watson time to do his thing from 9. A penalty awarded for infringement at the breakdown, the points opted for - and with a little helpful bounce off the crossbar Matt Probert's kick opened the scoring for the maroons.
From the kick off the big lads started again HP Farnsworth, JT Taylor and BJ Smith all carrying well. But a miscommunication at a breakdown saw Ormskirk steal a turnover and the winger strolled his way to the line, again the wind helped to not add any extras. 3-13 to the visitors.

With the big lads up for it - the phases started again; first Smith, then the skipper and finally Big Ben T, who is settling into his new role at loosehead like a duck to water. But sadly this was to be his last contribution of the day as a dislocated shoulder forced his exit.
Get well soon Ben.
On came T Thornber to add his presence to proceedings the scrum didn’t flinch. Oddjob Watson passed out to Jesus Smith, who only came to warm the bench, Ormskirk got the turnover, but Probert spotted his chance: charging down the attempted clearance and with a sweet bounce got the try as well. Plus for good measure added the extras too.
What followed was ten mins of dominant pressure which saw Taylor denied twice being held up on both occasions.

10-13 at the half.

With Will Jones making a tactical retreat [a corporate lunch or some such shenanigans] on came the veteran H Pund Procter. Nathan Walton came on for Aidan and Josh Dolan on in the centres for JT who was replaced at flanker by Dan Wallbank.
And we were off again the pack rumbling phase after phase, 2 meters out AT Thornber went BJ Smith, to 1 meter out skippers turn. Ormskirks defence rushed in but with slight of hand, there under the posts was John 'the machine' Bank . The extras easily added by Proberts boot - it was game on and the maroons in the lead 17-13

A quick reply from Ormskirk saw them straight back with a try of their own .17-18 ten mins to go.
Off went The Machine and Pund with the ever youthful big Geoff Williamson and JT back on to finish the game.
By now Ormskirk had no answer to the lines of Matt Bleasdale [girly screams of delight from the entourage] Josh Dolan and Jesus, and with Austin Wensly's rucking and Phil Forrest’s tackling, ment the maroons were able to stretch the opposition more forcing them to resort to kicking. One such kick saw big Geoff catch one on the touchline - the small child on the wing for Ormskirk stood no chance as in one movement was dealt with swiftly and with menace as Geoff stampeded back up the pitch. [before being overtaken by a particularly slow snail]

The pack with tails up were in charge, dominating, and loving it the scrum. From a knock on an unusual hooking technique from AT Thornber, who won the ball against the head by somehow digging the ball out from behind their second rows feet . Off went HP Farnsworth from the base & the big lads went again 2 more phases inside the 22.

Penalty!

'Last play' says the ref.

Out on the left touchline Probert placed the tee a tight angle on a calm wind free day. Deep breaths, nobody move, cool calm and collected the ball went high and sailed over the cross bar to snatch it at the death.

20-18 full time .
Down to the wire & a real nail biter. But what a finish! And for that kick alone Matt Probert gets my man of the match. something for the small army of fans coming out to watch the mighty 2s each week to celebrate a great game and fantastic ending.

Report by KK