KIRKHAM GRAMMAR SCHOOL RUGBY RESULTS V SEDBERGH SCHOOL

SATURDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2009

1st XV

Lost    KGS 8             Sedbergh 20

In difficult conditions KGS and Sedbergh managed to produce an outstanding game of schoolboy rugby. KGS put Sedbergh under terrific early pressure from the start and quickly took the lead with a Callum Bennett penalty.  Sedbergh responded quickly with a penalty of their own, both teams then tried hard to break the deadlock.  Sedbergh then took advantage of a KGS defensive error and took the lead just before half-time.  A 10-3 lead was maintained despite KGS's efforts.  Hooker Josh Woods and no 8 David Egglestaff was outstanding in driving KGS's pack forward.  KGS then lost vice-captain Sean Condon and leading try scorer Liam Marmion through injury, which caused problems for KGS's backline and Sedbergh duly took advantage taking a 17-3 lead.  At this point KGS could have cracked, but instead inspired by scrum-half Kieran Marmion came back straight away and Matthew Ellis scored from a catch and drive near Sedbergh's line.  Sedbergh started to panic as KGS forced the pace; unfortunately KGS did not take their chances and missed a golden opportunity as time ran out.  KGS can be very pleased by their performance against an unbeaten Sedbergh side.

2nd XV

Lost    KGS 3             Sedbergh 34

In this extremely tough contest KGS fell behind early in the game to two tries as they failed to play at the tempo of the Sedbergh side.  After this period KGS held possession for periods of time, based around a successful line out, marshaled by Alex Lo and Jurgen that functioned well all afternoon, but superb individual and team defence by Sedbergh cancelled out any threats made in their half of the pitch.  Sedbergh maintained pressure and scored twice more to increase the task ahead for the KGS team.  Only a Stanley Graham penalty gave KGS any reward in the first half.

In the second half KGS stepped up the physicality required in games like this and played in a much more committed way.  There were no better examples of this than Jandre in the back row and a roused Papangelis.  Although Sedbergh moved away by scoring two more tries, KGS should be pleased with their efforts in the latter stages of the game and would count themselves unlucky not to have scored a try in this phase.

U16 XV

Lost    KGS 15           Sedbergh 41

In difficult conditions, the team produced a spirited performance against an unbeaten Sedbergh side.  The initial period of play saw KGS not touch the ball and after twelve minutes the team was 12-0 down.  However, Harrison Moulding's commitment in chasing down the try scorer of the second try seemed to ignite the KGS spirit and subsequently the team rallied, particularly through the forwards.  Led in the contact situations by Jack Ingham and Craig Whalley-Hunter, KGS started to win ball and achieve excellent field position.  From one of these William Roper kicked a penalty.

Some thundering tackling by Precious Nwaokomah and Adam Galley in the back line was supported by some excellent scrapping on the floor by Rhys Williams and Nathan White.  Joseph Wareing, Patrick Callery, Will Fleuriot and Jack Loxham were strong in the set piece and through pressure on one scrum, Sedbergh were forced backwards and with another pressured tackle on the Sedbergh outside centre, the ball was fumbled and Fraser Burnie picked up the ball and scored a superb try.

The tackling continued through Nathan Loftus and Jack Walker in the second half and even though Sedbergh scored a couple of tries, the team never gave up and again through excellent defence, Precious Nwaokomah picked up the ball and scored an excellent try that saw the team fight to the very end.  A positive performance for the large group of supporters, but it is important to now build on this for next week.

U15A XI

Lost    KGS    0          Sedbergh 17

One of  KGS's biggest games of the season and the U15's were ready to step up to the challenge.  Withstanding some early pressure from Sedbergh at the breakdown, KGS quickly adapted to the style of Sedbergh play.  Tremendous defence led by Luke Woodward put the home side under a large amount of pressure.  Both sides had plenty of opportunities in the first half to score but it was the home side who took advantage and the half time score was 12-0.

In the second half, the weather gradually got worst, and both sides made plenty of unforced errors.  Ryan Wilkinson kicked intelligently a few times to clear the KGS line.  Ben Rhodes-Power and Ben Swift made some great runs but unfortunately cannot convert pressure into points.  Overall it was a very pleasing performance but a disappointing result.

U15B XI

 Lost    KGS 12           Sedbergh 12

The U15B team travelled to Sedbergh on a very wet day and played extremely well against a strong team.  KGS scored first with a try from a kick and chase by Liam Swithenbank and conversion from Toby Roberts.  The opposition were under a great deal of pressure for most of the first half but KGS won the half 7-5. Sedbergh had the favorable weather in the second half and scored a couple of tries with KGS replying with a fine try from Sam Fuentes-Moreno after a concerted effort from the forwards.  It was a tremendous effort from the whole B team.