Sat 11 Apr 2026, 13:00
At the Mooragh Park Ramsey took an early lead with a Dan Kelly penalty after just five minutes. Ormskirk reacted quickly and playing into the strong wind, elected for a running game. Full back Sam Staniforth joined the back line as the extra man and scythed through the Ramsey midfield. He angled his run towards the corner flag but was halted by a tremendous cover tackle from Ramsey’s Matt Meechan. Staniforth however was able to pop the ball up from the ground to Ormskirk skipper James Lang who raced in to score. Andy Evans added the conversion to put the visitors 7-3 ahead.
Just after the quarter of an hour mark Ramsey earned another penalty but Dan Kelly’s effort came back off an upright and Ormskirk were able to clear. More strong running into the wind soon gave them another chance. Number eight Peter Dobson and stand off Nat Wildman both proved difficult to put down and their carries brought field position which flanker Christian Lawrence exploited for a close range try and a 12-3 lead.
As half time approached there was action at both ends. First up was the Ormskirk Staniforth-Lang combination. Staniforth again broke the Ramsey line and pace and again it was James Lang on his shoulder to deliver the scoring pass. Evans converted for a 19-3 lead. Ramsey struck back with the final play of the first half and after pounding the Ormskirk try line, captain Josh Corteen dived in from close range to leave the game at 19-8 with forty to play.
The second half was largely played in Ramsey territory. The strong wind meant that the ball had to be ran and Ormskirk attacked every breakdown to try and force the errors. On any occasion Ramsey got into the visitors’ half, turnovers were punished by downfield kicks to restart the whole process again. The Ramsey defence were up to the task for twenty five minutes before it leaked a score. They were turned over just outside their twenty two. Ormskirk shipped the ball wide to left wing Jay Croston. He carried close to the Ramsey line and found prop Andy Evans in support. Evans dotted down close to the posts for the try and added the conversion for good measure.
Ramsey threw the proverbial kitchen sink at Ormskirk in the final ten or so minutes but were unable to find a way through.
Just after the quarter of an hour mark Ramsey earned another penalty but Dan Kelly’s effort came back off an upright and Ormskirk were able to clear. More strong running into the wind soon gave them another chance. Number eight Peter Dobson and stand off Nat Wildman both proved difficult to put down and their carries brought field position which flanker Christian Lawrence exploited for a close range try and a 12-3 lead.
As half time approached there was action at both ends. First up was the Ormskirk Staniforth-Lang combination. Staniforth again broke the Ramsey line and pace and again it was James Lang on his shoulder to deliver the scoring pass. Evans converted for a 19-3 lead. Ramsey struck back with the final play of the first half and after pounding the Ormskirk try line, captain Josh Corteen dived in from close range to leave the game at 19-8 with forty to play.
The second half was largely played in Ramsey territory. The strong wind meant that the ball had to be ran and Ormskirk attacked every breakdown to try and force the errors. On any occasion Ramsey got into the visitors’ half, turnovers were punished by downfield kicks to restart the whole process again. The Ramsey defence were up to the task for twenty five minutes before it leaked a score. They were turned over just outside their twenty two. Ormskirk shipped the ball wide to left wing Jay Croston. He carried close to the Ramsey line and found prop Andy Evans in support. Evans dotted down close to the posts for the try and added the conversion for good measure.
Ramsey threw the proverbial kitchen sink at Ormskirk in the final ten or so minutes but were unable to find a way through.
