KEQMS Rugby Results 2008 / 2009

Wednesday 15^th October vs. Stonyhurst College (Daily Mail Rd2)

1stXV Won 17 - 13

Tries: Ormsby, Webb

Con: Blackshaw (2)

Pen: Blackshaw

It is not very often that a side grabs a win in the dying minutes after a titanic struggle against a very good side and the coach come out with the statement “Well done but we could have played better”. What I did mean to say was it was a fantastic effort by the whole squad of 22 players and supporters but, and this is where I messed up, we managed to do it whilst still having a lot more to offer, especially in attack. Not one of my greatest end of match statements I hasten to add.

Playing against a side that, back in January, had put us to the sword at times, we were certainly up for the challenge. Starting well the forwards set out their stall straight from the off, they were not going to be bullied by their more heralded opponents. Yet again the back row worked tirelessly on the floor frustrating the Stonyhurst back row who were used to getting their own way. Ball after ball was either turned over or slowed down by the excellent work of  flankers Luke Skyrme and Ben Samuels supported magnificently by the rest of the pack. A special mention must go to Vice Captain Ben Holland who may have been upset by his positional change to second row, but played the whole match like a 4^th back row forward.

The front row struggled early on in the match to cope with their larger opposition but with will power and no shortage of technique soon started to hold their own and get on top at times in the second half. Yet again hooker Peter Erskine took a ball against the head which adds to his impressive tally in the last 3 games. At the lineout we struggled slightly in the first half but totally dominated the second yet again Erskine, lifting crews Elliott Bowen, Nick Carrdus, Lewis Williams and Skyrme, and jumpers Dale Martin (later David Johnson) and Holland did a fine job under extreme pressure and against a fair breeze.

Having taken the lead through a fine Grant Blackshaw penalty Lytham were complimented by Stonyhurst decision to kick their second penalty in front of the posts after they had turned down the first chance to go for the try. This did not bring any rest bite from the Stonyhurst pressure but the brave Lytham defence continued. Tackle after tackle was made and with the superb work on the floor by the forwards the Lytham line held firm. Unfortunately it was our mistake that cost us their first try, a charge down kick bounced kindly into the follow up players hands and he scored wide out in the corner.

This error seemed to inspire the Lytham backs and chancing their arm in their own 22 inside centre Kelham O’Hanlon drew two men in with a fine angle only to see his pass into the gap put to floor. This did however show the Lytham three-quarters that with a little ball they could cause some problems. The “Blackpool Pitbull” Grant Blackshaw was at his most aggressive in defence and one double hit by him and right wing Max Sworder on the Stonyhurst captain sent shivers down players and spectators alike. Half Time 3 – 8.

With the breeze into their faces Lytham realised that they would have to start winning a constant supply of ball if they were to change the score.  The supply started in the loose but eventually continued at the set piece. Martin and Holland started to dominate at the lineout and driving at the heart of the Stonyhurst pack territory was gained. Refusing a simple 3 point penalty Lytham went for the try but were held up. Unfortunately this saw Stonyhurst drive Lytham back into their own half with good kicking. Defending their own line a turning point came when the large Stonyhurst inside centre was smashed to the floor by the outstanding O’Hanlon. This visibly spooked the Stonyhurst backline and a poor decision saw the ball go to an area covered by more defenders and the pressure saw the ball dropped. Outside centre Ormsby, suffering from a tight hamstring, scooped up the ball superbly and ran nearly the length of the field to score. Blackshaw added the 2.

With Lytham 2 points ahead the restart landed in the hands of one of the smaller forwards Erskine. Isolated he was engulfed by the Stonyhurst pack but recycled the ball well and Lytham cleared their lines well. Unfortunately during this time a Stonyhurst player was injured and a 15 minute delay occurred. Lytham continued as they had finished deep in the Stonyhurst half and a resulting penalty attempt was narrowly missed. With time running out Lytham looked in control, but two rushed phases saw Stonyhurst turning over ball and attacking the Lytham line and creating space on the right to claim their second try and retake the lead. With less than 10minutes left Lytham were not to be denied pounding the Stonyhurst line scrum half Tom Webb saw space twice and on the second attempt stretched the final inches to claim the winning try. Normal service was resumed as Blackshaw added the two. With only a few minutes left on the clock Lytham held on comfortably to complete an excellent result. Full Time 17 – 13. 

A fantastic and well deserved result our never say die attitude was outstanding to a man. The side thoroughly deserved the support they had on the touchline and the roar that went up at the final whistle is something that will live long in the memory. Across the years members of this side have had plenty of hard and disappointing times but commitment has never been a question. I am therefore delighted that at last success is coming your way, winning is a habit long may it continue.

With a century of rugby on these fields this performance will add to the outstanding sporting history of the school.

Saturday 11^th October vs. Liverpool College

1stXV Won 31 - 0

Tries: Holland (2), Ormsby (2)

Cons: Blackshaw

Pens: Blackshaw (3)

2^nd XV Won 55– 0

Tries; Maclaren (2), Tonge, Richardson, Sheridan, Marquis-Car, Auty, Johnson, Goupil.
Cons: Carson (5)

U15 Lost 5 – 28

Tries: Miles

U14 Lost 7 – 35

Tries: Thompson

Con: Saunders

U13 Lost 7 – 32

Tries: Radley

Con: Douthwaite

U12 Lost 10 - 17

Tries:

Con:

1stXV

Yet again the injury crisis that has continued to hindered the squad’s progress this season hit on Saturday morning when loose head prop Elliott Bowen fell foul of the dreaded stomach bug. Liverpool College however found themselves in a similar position, after a fine win on Wednesday against Merchant Taylors Crosby they had to make several forced changes.

Unfortunately the start of the game was dominated more by the referee's whistle than anything else. With both sides struggling to put any phases together the play was very scrappy and stop start. We were making mistake after mistake and being heavily penalised also. It is therefore to our credit that we came through this rough patch and ended up settling to score 31 unanswered points.

The first try came from an intelligent and pin point chip from inside centre Kelham O’ Hanlon which was followed up superbly by skipper Harry Ormsby who used his speed and strength to score. Fly half Grant Blackshaw added a fine conversation which settled the home side. A well struck Blackshaw long range penalty extended the lead a few minutes later but a silly infringement at the kick off saw Liverpool with the opportunity to cut the lead. Their kicker unfortunately didn’t strike the kick well and missed. Although the score may not reflect it but these 3 points could have changed the course of the game, so yet again lady luck seemed to be shining on Lytham.

After the complaints during training by the pack, the final score of the half showed the worth of all their effort and pains. A well won lineout outside their 22 saw the pack drive for yard after yard finishing in a  fine score for all of the 8 scored by number 8 Ben Holland. Half Time 15 -0.

The second half saw us play a lot better, the backs started to put together some fine movements and the forwards through their excellent tight and loose play supplied a constant source of good ball. The lineout, which at times in the first half looked a bit suspect, started to provide excellent possession which is praise in itself for both the jumpers and lifting crew. Blackshaw, O’Hanoln and Ormsby started to run flowing moves behind being excellently service by scrum half Tom Webb. After Blackshaw had added another penalty the forwards claimed another excellent driving try with Holland adding his second. Blackshaw then claimed his hat-trick of penalties to really put the game out of sight. At this pint Liverpool came back into the game slightly with some strong running on the fringes of the ruck but the Lytham defence held firm. The final score was an excellent one with the ball being spread wide after several phases and angled running from both the ball carrier and dummy runners saw skipper Ormsby round of a fine display by all of the three-quarters. Full Time 31 – 0.

2ndXV

From the kick-off we proved far too strong for our opponents, which was shown by some powerful runs by Tom Pemberton and some quick rucking and good play by the backs lead Sandy in for the opening try about 2 minutes into the match. It seemed to get easier from here on with great pace and good hands by the backs tearing Liverpool College apart. Good pace by winger Josh Maclaren was rewarded with 2 tries. As we scored more and more Liverpool College gave up on rugby and tried fighting but we rose above it and just hurt them on the scoreboard. This lead to Mr.Liggett ending the half after 20 minutes. In the second half we finished of our opponents in 10 minutes with great pace shown by David Auty to score straight away and some perfect footwork by Ollie Johnson to hit the corner flag and stop the ball in the dead ball area so he could simply place it down for the try. Even though this team was far from the best team we will play this season we still showed the skill to beat them 55-0 in 30 minutes.