KIRKHAM GRAMMAR SCHOOL RUGBY RESULTS

KGS U14 XV v ARNOLD U14 XV - 2 March 2010

The game started with high expectations as Arnold have always been tough rivals, plus also a semi final is always a difficult game to lose. A win would also be an excellent finish to a season which has seen so much improvement.

KGS started well with much of the game being played in the Arnold half. The forwards dominated in the contact area providing the opportunity for quick ball out to the backs. Tom Hunter broke the tension with a full length run breaking through the Arnold defence. Arnold equalised shortly after with a No.8 pick up resulting in a good try. In the final seconds of an equal first half, Connor Wilkinson (2^nd. Form) seized upon a loose pass by the Arnold No.10 and scored an excellent try.

Half Time score 12-5

Changes at half time - Dan Jones make the move from full back to stand off. With Myles Rawlinson coming on at No.15. In the second half KGS’s dominance in the forwards started to change the game. The team showed great skill as a much improved unit. The front row (Theo Harvey, Aaron Davies, Ben Morris) rucked well, and won a lot of loose ball, allowing the back row (Lewis Leach, Harry Mason, & James Penrose) to provide additional attacking options in the back line. Excellent tries from Tom Hunter, James Pounds, and Will Lockhart, in the second half took the final score to 31 – 5.

Overall an outstanding performance from both forwards and backs in what at times, proved a tense and fractious game, which capped off an excellent and most enjoyable season.

Kirkham U16 Sevens - 3 March 2010

The first sevens tournament of the season was at Sedbergh and even though we travelled with a depleted squad, the squad played well for large periods. A convincing win against Queen Ethelburga’s was then completed by some good performances initially against Durham and Ampleforth. Jack Walker and Adam Galley scored regularly, with many of the tries resulting in gaps being created by Mickey Papangelis and Nathan Loftus. The squad will now travel to Warwick on Saturday to take on Kings Macclesfield, Barnard Castle and KES, Aston

1st VII - Austin Friars Sevens 3 March/ North of England Sevens 7 March

KGS 1st Sevens started the season at Austin Friars after having missed two tournaments due to the weather. Starting very slowly and containing a number of new faces to 1st sevens rugby, KGS struggled against QEGS Kirkby Lonsdale only winning 14-10 with a late Sam Hall try. Further problems came when they lost to Austin Friars, which meant they had to compete in the plate competition in the knockout stages. A reshuffle of the side seemed to improve the team with impressive displays against Keswick School (52-0), St Bees (29-12) and in the final against Cockermouth School (32-7). Ben Jones, Tom Hurst and Bobby Garlington were all prominent in these wins. Trying to win the North of England Trophy for the third year in row was always going to be difficult especially after a slightly disappointing start at Austin Friars. KGS started the tournament against a talented Giggleswick side in good style taking a 12-0 lead very quickly, however, KGS's lack of experience allowed Giggleswick back into the game. Inspired by U18 Irish International scrum half Kieran Marmion KGS responded with a David Egelstaff try late on to gain a 17-14 victory. Gaining in confidence and with younger players learning to play high level school boy sevens, KGS beat Kings Macclesfield, Pocklington School, and Arnold School to win the group. The quarter final against Barnard Castle (winners of the recent Marches 7's) was a very close affair, captain Sean Condon lead from the front and was well supported by Liam Marmion and Callum Bennett. Once again KGS had to dig deep to come from behind. Kieran Marmion again created enough space for fly-half Callum Bennett to score the winning try in a 19-17 victory. The semi-final against Hymers was a very tense affair with KGS leading most of the game, however, Hymers took a 17-14 lead with a minute to go. KGS fought back and nearly scored again very late on. Despite the loss KGS had improved in a very positive way during the week and the younger players especially Michael Simmonds, Ben Jones, David Egelstaff, Tom Hurst and Sam Hall gained a great deal of experience. Hopefully the future for next season.

U15 VII - Warwick Sevens

Having arrived late, a win against Bablake School (40-5) in the first game was very pleasing. However the second game against Bishop Versey's School was a different story. Due to lack of concentration a few enforced errors, the U15's eventually lost 19-17 which meant they had to win the next game against Nottingham High School in order to get through to the knock-out stages. A tremendous performance from Ben Rhodes-Power and Matthew Beaty ensured that KGS secured a place in the last 8 (beat Nottingham High 22-7). In the quarter-final against KES Aston, Scott Rudd and Jack Smith defended bravely. KGS progressed to the semi-final beating KES Aston 21-10. In the semi-final KGS faced Portsmouth Grammar School, and against a very physical side the exhausted U15's eventually lost 25-12.

U14 VII - Warwick Sevens

The U14's played three matches. They lost 24-12 to Nottingham, lost 36-0 to Sir Thomas Rich's and won 24-5 to Denstone. Tries: Harry Goosens (x2) and Tom Hunter (x2).