A much stronger Sharks side, obviously still smarting from last week's drubbing took the game to Orrell with powerful drives in the early stages of this local derby. Well organised by Gabe Fell at stand-off, they opened the scoring on 5 mins. when acting-halfback Andrew Moss dived in and full-back Brad Wallace converted. The game deteriorated to a niggly affair as both packs tried to dominate, resulting in two players from each side being dismissed following a fracas on 20 mins. Shevington increased the lead when quick hands stretched the St.James' defence and Fell's dummy-and-go gave an easy conversion to Tommy Dunn. 0 - 12.
However, in the last 5 mins. of the half Orrell turned the tables. Full-back Jack Mc Hugh scored the first of his 4 tries, skipping through after quick passing had stretched the defence. A chip through by Stand-off Danny Pyke was hacked on by young centre Kieran Taylor to score under the posts. Marcus Grimshaw added the two points before Mc Hugh, revelling in the extra spaces of 11-a-side rugby, scored a superb individual effort. Grimshaw's conversion gave Orrell the lead at 16 - 12 at half-time.
The visitors increased their efforts and were rewarded early in the 2nd half when sustained pressure produced a try for 2nd row Pat Mc Connell to level the scores. They regained the lead as Mike Naughton forced his way over the line and Dunn converted 16 - 20. St James' rallied again as a beautiful set play put Mc Hugh in for his hat-trick and Grimshaw levelled the scores once again. Scrum-half Jake Davies fooled the Shark's forwards to score an individual try to which Grimshaw added the extras. As the game grew to a close Grimshaw pounced onto a lost ball and made a half break to off-load to Mc Hugh for a length of the field try. He then added the extras to once more give Orrell the bragging rights. Despite the number of tries scored credit must be given to the St James' defence which was excellent throughout.

Dennis Mc Hugh