GORTON STREET GAZETTE “1997 Centenary Match” Today our 1XV entertain Ormskirk RUFC who were founded in the 1926/27 Season by “enthusiasts who had played the game at public school”. The first captain, Dennis Suffern, was the son of a local doctor and matches were played at the back of the Eureka Hotel, on land owned by Thomas Coulton, whose son, Joe, became the next captain. Their first official game was against King George V School, Southport. Ormskirk were unable to find a permanent ground for some years, playing at Churchfields and Cottage Lane before in the mid 1950's the Green Lane pitches became available and with the approval of the local council, and after a great financial struggle, the ground was obtained and the present clubhouse was opened in 1965. Eccles RFC appear to have had their first fixture with Ormskirk three years after formation on 28th October, 1929. The Eccles journal reported "Eccles arrived at Ormskirk late and the match was confined to thirty minutes each way. Whoever secured the ball either from the scrum or lineout was quickly tackled. The home team frequently kicked to advantage, but were effectively prevented from scoring. Neither team secured points up to half time. After a few minutes play in the second half, an infringement from which a penalty goal resulted gave Ormskirk the lead. Superior combinations transferred the ball to Ormskirk's five yard line, where a long struggle and good work by the forwards enabled F. F. Townsend (Eccles Captain), to record a try which J. H. Bickershaw improved. Frequent kicking gained ground for Ormskirk, but their finishing was poor, though their tactics prevented Eccles from further scoring. Ormskirk 3 v Eccles 5. The return fixture was played on 19th April,1930.
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