KIRKHAM GRAMMAR SCHOOL RUGBY RESULTS

SATURDAY 15 JANUARY 2011

1ST XV v ARNOLD

KGS 32 Arnold 16

Playing in very difficult weather conditions KGS 1st XV defeated local school Arnold comfortably scoring 6 tries to Arnold's 1 try. Despite playing against a very strong wind and giving away some early points due to poor concentration poor concentration KGS dominated the game in all areas. Fly half Tom Hurst was in good form and its was he who opened KGS try account after he made a neat break near the Arnold line, Hurst converted his try. KGS forwards were well led by pack leader Jon Evans and were very powerful in both scrum and line-out, and from a driving line-out second row  Sam Peet scored a simple try. A further try was added after a strong scrum from the KGS pack allowed No 8 Phil Cringle to crash over. The second half was spent in the Arnold half as KGS used the wind to good effect with half backs Charlie Swarbrick and Tom Hurst putting the ball behind Arnold. Second row Matthew Ellis gave KGS good ball from lineout as the KGS forwards forced Arnold backwards. Further tries followed as KGS piled on the pressure. Both prop Jon Evans and flanker Bobby Garlington forced their way of the line after solid work had been done by the rest of the pack. KGS completed the victory when prop John Windle crashed over wide out to complete the scoring. KGS 32 Arnold School 16.

2nd XV v Arnold

KGS 46 Arnold 0

With a full strength squad available for this fixture, it was of little surprise that the team put in their best performance of the season against a side that never once gave up. However from the outset KGS played the wet conditions well and dominated up front. The pressure saw the scrum score seven of the eight tries of the day. Joseph Wareing opened the scoring after ten minutes through a well controlled maul and with Matthew Beaty scoring just before half time, the opposition were still in the game. Some fine tackling by Jack Smith and captain Harrison Moulding stopped Arnold’s initial pressure after the break, before Ryan Wilkinson (3), Mickey Papangelis and Luke Woodward crashed over. George Brookes scored the try of the match after another scrum in the middle of the pitch. An excellent running line by George led to him breaking two tackles before being driven over for an excellent try. George converted this and with two tries previously being converted by Ollie Jump, the second team go into their final game at Hutton with a positive attitude.

U15A XV

KGS 15 Arnold 0

A nervous encounter against Arnold in the quarter final of the Lancashire Cup. The rusty KGS side made a few basic errors at the start. The U15's defended tremendously, Theo Watton made a couple of try saving tackles, while Heny Mason managed to secure some crucial turnovers. Some direct, strong running from Thomas Hunter and Daniel Jones allowed KGS to gain some good territory against the wind. Lewis Leech managed to cross the line just before half-time. In the second half, some good tactical kicking from Rob Lavelle and Daniel Jones allowed KGS to gain some useful territory. Again Leech profited from a trip and chase of Will Lockhart. Special mention must go to Theo Harvey and Ben Morris for their effort in scrums and tackling.

U14XV

KGS 19 Arnold 0

Despite dreadful weather conditions this was a highly competitive and thoroughly enjoyable game to watch. In the first 15 minutes the Arnold forwards dominated the game. They took the game to KGS, driving hard at the KGS defence at every opportunity and winning very consecutive ruck ball. It took almost 18 minutes of play before the KGS encroached into the Arnold half. On this occasion the KGS backs broke away playing quick ball through 5 pairs of hands before the KGS full back Henry Cameron broke free through with electrifying pace and scored a good try, which was against the run of play. Then in the final minutes of the first half Connor Scott, who had an excellent game broke free down the right wing evading 3 defenders and scored another worthwhile try.

In the second half KGS were facing a very strong wind, which made life a little easier for the Arnold stand off. Arnold played some positive rugby which brought the best out of the KGS defence. Daniel Broughton, Alex Whalley, James Griggs and Henry Cameron all made some excellent tackles on the KGS five metre line denying Arnold a worthwhile try. Towards the end of the game KGS seemed to get control of the ball and played some good open rugby allowing Ellis Clark the opportunity to score in the final minutes in the far corner of the game.

Despite the overall score, this was a very close match and both teams played some excellent rugby.

U13 XV

KGS 41 Arnold 10

KGS came away from Arnold with a comfortable victory against a spirited home side that refused to lie down in a competitive first half. KGS, battling a strong wind, managed to score early with some slick handling which defied the conditions and attacked from deep to put Arnold under pressure in defence. Two further tries were quickly added by Abbott and Lavelle but Arnold forced their way back into the game with a strong run from fly-half Jones who scored in the corner and then when KGS failed to clear a kick through Arnold scored again to leave the half-time score 22-10. KGS turned round with the elements in their favour and with James Seward kicking intelligently played much of the period in the Arnold half. Three more tries were scored by Campbell, Seward and Gargett to leave KGS in a commanding position. The KGS forwards rucked well throughout the game and presented scrum half George Carter with plenty of good ball which he used intelligently, mixing up play well with his own breaks and often feeding forwards running close to the breakdown.

U12 XV

KGS 54 Arnold 3

The first game of the spring term was against local rivals Arnold. The team managed to produce some good rugby despite the poor weather conditions and the fact that the team hadn’t played together for a number of weeks. Gabriel Bland opened the scoring with his trademark dummy and go from a ruck close to the opposition line. Matt Newby (2), Henry Pearson (2), Jake Lonsdale, Louis Johnson and Jacob McCarthey were the other try scorers in a 54 – 3 win, Will Bruce added a number of conversions.