Didsbury were made to work hard for a 32-5 bonus point win against Ormskirk which keeps alive their hopes of promotion from Lancashire (North).

This was not a flattering performance on the eye - by either side - but a committed defensive effort and a solid set-piece laid the foundations for Toc H's disjointed attack to eventually make a difference.

And it had promised so much. The eyes of Toc's backs were alight at the prospect of playing on Ormskirk’s pitch, which offered them the wide open spaces they are often denied in training. The team's failure to manage that room effectively was as disappointing as it was frustrating. Instead, it was Toc's set-piece that gave them the edge here.

After withstanding some early pressure in the scrum from a very big Ormskirk pack, Toc worked hard to achieve parity. But it was in the lineout that Toc's technical dominance showed. Accurate timing, clever calling and good composure from our jumpers meant that for the first time, surely in club history, that the lineout secured 100 per cent of its own ball. It certainly gave the side a solid base in the game.

An early score from Tom Makin had settled the nerves - he latched on to a clever grubber kick from Rory Gibson to race over in the corner. Not long after that Gibson went off with a hamstring injury - but even without his threat from full back it was clear that Toc had much more at their disposal in the backs. Not that they used this point of difference wisely and credit should go to the home side for keeping them so quiet and forcing them into so many basic errors. A recurring theme of the match was Toc’s total failure to utilise the vast amount of space available to them.

After scoring early, Toc were given a glimpse of what was to come their way for much of the rest of the game. Ormskirk, more than happy to pick-and-go at the breakdown, organised a conveyor belt of strong, committed runners off 9 and 10.

It was a very direct approach and it tested Didsbury’s resolve. To a man the pack stood up with Charlie Campalani, Owen McIntosh, Harry Rigby and Kazz Singh all putting in impressive performances. That said, Ormskirk broke through early on through after abrasive fly-half side-stepped his way over following a barrage of phases in the Toc 22. That proved to be the wake-up call Toc needed and the defensive effort stepped up significantly. The home side would not cross again.

Toc regained the lead through Campalani who picked and went himself after Dave Hoare was stopped close to the line; he then added the third when he sniped from the back of a driving lineout to race in under the sticks from just inside the opposition 22. A penalty from fly-half Danny Grogan saw Toc lead 18-5 going into the break.

It was 25-5 two minutes into the second half when Makin tidily beat a handful of defenders to get his second of the game and 32nd of the season. He wasn't done there and his challenge to break Toc’s season try-scoring record continues to look a possibility.

A stolid half hour thereafter saw Ormskirk dominate possession and continue to run hard and pressurise the Toc line. Credit must go to the Toc defence but any respite in the play was quickly undone but ill-discipline and a lack of accuracy with ball in hand. The odd foray from Rob Hutchinson gave the team some much-needed go forward ball in the middle of the pitch but by this stage famine had set in in those fertile wide areas.

Toc finally played some proper rugby inside the last ten minutes and some silky play from full-back Joe Aduli exposed Ormskirk on the short side and his sharp pass to Makin allowed him to cross for his third and 33rd of the season.

That club record is in sight - as is second place in this division - but with a series of tough games to come in March, including potentially crucial tests against Burnley and Tarleton, Toc’s attacking play will have to improve significantly.

Man of the match: Chris Craig.

Next week: Ashton (H) 2:15pm Ford Lane.