KGS ON SATURDAY 12 JANUARY

RUGBY AT KGS

Even though no rugby was played last week owing to the extreme weather, KGS players have been heavily involved in representative rugby over the Xmas period.  First XV players Daniel Bibby and James Hesketh were involved in the North of England Squad training over the Christmas period and Daniel started both games for the North team against the South-West and London.  Whilst Kieran Marmion has been training with the Ireland U18 AER Squad.  Fellow players Jonathan Edwards and Tommy Banks have been selected for the English Independent School Barbarians side to play a number of games.  Ironically  winger Stephen Hamilton represented Scottish Exiles U18’s against the school’s Barbarians side.  Matthew Spedding has played for Lancashire U18’s as well as getting a North trial.  Callum Bennett and Will Morecombe have been playing for North Wales U18’s in the Welsh trial system.

Junior County Squads are still operating and constantly changing but so far at Under 16 Josh Keay and James Coulthard have played for North Lancs while at Under 15 Sam Hall has been a regular in the full County squad.

KGS v ARNOLD SCHOOL SATURDAY 17 JANUARY 2009

1^st XV

Won 57-3

KGS finished the 1^st XV season with an emphatic win over local rivals Arnold School.  Having not played for a number of weeks KGS started slowly.  Strong running centre Tommy Banks gave KGS the lead with a typical strong finish after some fine work by the forwards.  Arnold responded well and were very much in the game, until fly half Daniel Bibby produced a superb cross field kick which landed perfectly for full back Callum Bennett to gather and score in the corner.  Suddenly KGS started to flow with both forwards and backs inter-linking, which resulted in more tries before half-time for Tom Sanders (after a storming run from Kieran Brookes) and a second for Tommy Banks.  Banks very quickly after half time scored two further tries.  KGS continued to press and an excellent try was created by the backs for Daniel Bibby.  Further tries followed, firstly for young hooker Josh Woods after a good forward drive and secondly from James Moncrieff who completed a length of the field move.  Callum Bennett helped himself to six conversions (12 points) to complete the scoring.

2^nd XV

Won 24-7

In difficult condition underfoot, this was a tough contest for the 2^nd XV that had not played since the 29 November due to cancellations. The time away from the game showed as KGS were rusty and ponderous in the first half and failed to make an impression on the game.  The only highlight of the first half was a find breakaway try from Matthew Edgar.  As the pitch got worse both Arnold and KGS struggled to play out of the mud and the game broke down as a results.  KGS led at half-time by two tries (a second by Kelsall) so the result was far from being settled, but two quick scores from Gill and Redshaw pushed KGS ahead. Ashley Jones converted two of the tries.  KGS made many changes throughout the game to give all game time in this last game of the 2^nd XV season.  Arnold then came back well with a determined period.  They were awarded a penalty try for an off the ball tackle and were unlucky to score in the former after further concerted pressure. KS defended well though and worked the b all back up the field as time ran out for Arnold to come back again.

U15 XV

Won 23-5

At the kick both teams looked tense as this was eagerly anticipated local derby and had attracted a large crowd.  Arnold scored first with a try from the five metre line after they took a quick tap penalty and caught KGS off guard.  KGS then started to get back into the game with some great defence and were rewarded with a try from the fullback, Sam Hall, after some quick passing and strong running from the backs.  Will Roper converted then scored a beautiful drop goal after a concerted effort from the KGS forwards lead by the dynamic Adam Galley who ran strongly throughout the match.  As KGS started to dominate the math, further tries by Fraser Burnie and Nathan White followed.  To extend the lead even further Will Roper converted another drop goal from 35 metres out.  It was pleasing to see KGS playing attractive rugby with confidence and commitment throughout the match.

U14 XV

Won 42-10

An outstanding performance from all the players. This was very much a game where all the hard work throughout the winter seasons finally came to fruition.  The forwards dominated the line-outs, scrummaging and ruck play. Whilst the backs played fast open rugby which led to an excellent display of handling.

Tries:  Ben Rhodes-Powers (3), Matthew Beatty (1), Scott Rudd (1), Charles Redshaw (1)

Conversions: Matthew Beatty (4), Ryan Wilkinson (2)

U13 XV

Lost 10-12

This was an exciting encounter between two evenly matched teams played on a perfect surface. KGS had the aid of a strong diagonal breeze in the first half and soon went a try up thanks to a long range effort from Adam Coates.  The KGS forwards enjoyed much of the possession and territory and with the help of astute tactical kicking, kept Arnold deep in their own half.  A stray kick allowed Lewis Leach to counter attack and he found Coates wide out who beat three defenders to run in from 60 metres to give KGS A 10-0 lead  Arnold came back to score right on half time under the posts.  The second half was all KGS who kept possession against a strengthening breeze and it looked as though a deserved victory was on the cards until a defensive lapse allowed Arnold to score with three minutes left.

U12 XV

Won 24-5

This was the U12’s first game in six weeks but it didn’t take the team long to produce the rucking game which provided the bases for much of their success in the first term.  The forwards were excellent in winning lots of ball and completely rucked Arnold off the pitch.  It would not be an exaggeration to say that KFS had about 90% of the ball.  However some outstanding tackling by the Arnold team stopped the game from turning into a one-sided affair.  It took ten minutes for KGS to turn possession into points and it was a determined run by Hadley Price.  After some poor passing in the backs Arnold kicked the ball the length of the field to score an equalising try.  However, it wasn’t long before KGS took the lead again when David King crashed over.  In the second half David King scored two more tries and KGS ran out comfortable winners.

Tries:  Hadley Price, David King (3)

Conversions: Connor Wilkinson (2)

U15 DAILY MAIL VASE – ROUND 6

Won 53-5

KGS U15’s made the long trip to Market Rasen, Lincolnshire to compete in the last 32 of the Daily Mail Vase.  De Aston School started well, but KGS were strong in defence and were quick to counter attack.  The deadlock was broken when strong running full back Sam Hall came into the line well and opened the De Aston defence and scored in the corner.  Very soon afterwards fly-half Will Roper chipped ahead for winger Precious Nwaokomah to gather and score.  KGS continued to gain in confidence and the forwards took complete control, with strong prop Micky Papangelis in dominant form  No 8 Craig Whalley-Hunter made a number of strong runs which opened the opposition defence for a number of tries for the backs. (Sam Hall, Fraser Burnie and Tom Hurst).  Hopefully this win will give the team confidence for the next round.

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