KIRKHAM GRAMMAR SCHOOL RUGBY RESULTS V MERCHANT TAYLORS'

SATURDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2009

1st XV

Won 38-23

KGS 1st XV visited Mechant Taylors' Crosby hoping to continue their improvement after pushing Sedbergh all the way the previous Saturday.  KGS were met by a confident Merchant side who had won numerous games this season.  KGS started well playing their best rugby of the season with backs and forwards inter-linking allowing vice-captain and centre Sean Condon to score the opening try.  KGS's forwards started to dominate and this eventually lead to Merchant's giving away a penalty, which full back Callum Bennett kicked.  The home side then responded and with KGS giving away some silly penalties, KGS found themselves 12-8 down.  Captain Christ Travis refocused his side and KGS replied by a fine individual try from full back Callum Bennett and another team try completed by no 8 David Egglestaff.  Although Merchant's  keep themselves in the game they never were able to close the gap.  Late on promising fly half Michael Simmonds completed the scoring after a cleverly worked move.

2nd XV

Won 19-17

KGS 2nd XV travelled to Merchant Taylors' for an anticipated tough fixture against an unbeaten team so far this season.  KGS were not disappointed as Merchant's provided a stern test throughout the game.

KGS took the lead with a breakaway (converted by Jones) try initiated by Jonathan Davies but finished off by the ever present Jandre who had another excellent game as open side.  However lapses in concentration started to count against KGS and Merchant's were rewarded with a try from a turnover in possession.  Merchant Taylors' then added another penalty to make the score 10-7 at half time.

When KGS raised the physicality in the second half they began to take control of territory, but a lack of patience frequently led to dropped balls that took momentum away.  Even when KGS scored a well deserved push over try after sustained pressure, Merchant's  replied immediately with a try after mistakes were made after the kick off.  Nevertheless KGS returned to the Merchant's twenty two and after more pressure worked themselves into a position where Chris Kohler could cross the line for a converted try.

In the final throes of the game, KGS held onto their slender 19-17 lead.  Despite winning the ball against the head three times in scrums they still contrived to fail to keep possession and gave the ball away to a Merchant's team that fought right to the final whistle.  As the game concluded KGS would feel a sense of satisfaction of winning albeit in a frustrating, error laden performance.  Nevertheless, there is spirit in this team and this should give them confident to push on for the rest of the season.

U16 XV

Lost 20-5

After a superb effort against Sedbergh last weekend, the team were very motivated for this away fixture.  Unfortunately the team were not allowed to get into their pattern of play and were regularly stopped before being able to put various phases together. The team kept playing in difficult conditions and were finally rewarded with an excellent try by Joseph Wareing.  However this was not enough and the team now look forward to the floodlit match on Wednesday.

U15A XV

Won 25-17

A very close encounter against Merchant Taylors'.  KGS was caught off guard in the first five minutes allowing the opposition to cross the line.  However after a serious talk from Captain Matthew Beaty, the U15's started to dominate and scored two tries before half time.  The second half was very much the same, the KGS forwards continued to dominate the break down.  Ben Rhodes-Power and Jack Smith both took advantage and scored.  The nail biting moment came in the last ten minutes where the opposition fought hard to get back into the game.  Fortunately KGS came out eventual winners.

U14A XV

Lost 24-0

An exciting and thrilling game in appalling conditions.  KGS gave some remarkable defensive performances, particularly the back row of Harry Mason, Josh Burrows and Lewis Leech.  Plus the centres, Tom Hunter and Sam Norris.  KGS went behind in the first half whilst Merchant's took an early advantage of the pitch conditions.  In the second half KGS rallied round and went close on numerous occasions to score the illusive try.

Despite the defeat the U14's played some excellent rugby.  The scrum half Will Lockhart, the full back Miles Rawlinson and the winger James Penrose all had exceptional performances in the second half.

U12A XV

Won 48-5

 How nice it was to play on a firm pitch in dry conditions.  The U12's reveled in the conditions and scored a sparkling try in the first two minutes of the game.  That was the prelude to a morning of fast entertaining rugby with the forwards winning an abundance of ball to give to a back line that looked to run the ball from all areas of the pitch.  Once again the back row was outstanding with Charlie Abbott James Steward and Nick Coleman appearing all over the place.  Tyrone Cartmell had an excellent game scoring two tries with his forceful, driving running.  All the three quarters had their moments with some elusive running and showed how dangerous they can be when given the right conditions.  The style of the team's rugby drew many complimentary comments from the opposition parents.  Try scorers:  Charlie Abbott (2), Tyrone Cartmell (2), James Seward, Josh Keelan (2), Matthew Nell, Todd Roper (4 conversions).