KIRKHAM GRAMMAR SCHOOL RUGBY RESULTS V LANCASTER ROYAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL, 8th OCTOBER 2011

1st XV

Won 8-0

After a disappointing result the previous weekend Kirkham Grammar School's 1st XV met an unbeaten Royal Grammar School Lancaster side at Lancaster. From early on it was obvious that KGS had resolved any problems from the previous game and were confident in all areas. KGS had a very strong defence which was well marshalled by centre's Ben Swift and George Brookes. The KGS scrum completely controlled Lancaster with props Phil Cringle and John Windle in outstanding form. Hooker Dominic O'Connor also dominated his opposite number taking a number of balls against the head. Such pressure eventually lead Lancaster to make mistakes and give penalties away, one of which George Brookes converted to give KGS a 3-0 lead.

KGS's forwards had now taken complete control and Lancaster were forced to kick the ball away, however one such kick caused panic near the KGS try line until winger Precious Nwaokomah came from nowhere to make a try saving tackle to maintain the KGS lead. Captain Tom Hurst and fellow half back Harrison Moulding also kicked cleverly and kept Lancaster pinned back and eventually after a number of strong surges from the forwards and backs, prop Phil Cringle was able to crash over for the only try of the game and 8-0 first half lead.

The second half continued in the same vain with Lancaster not being able to get near the KGS 22 metre line. Flanker and KGS's player of the day Elliot Crowe was all over the field making numerous tackles and also turning over opposition ball, he was well supported by fellow flanker Sam Peet who carried the ball well and making a lot of ground on a number of occasions. Although no more scores came, KGS were the only side who ever threatened, but were held out by good Lancaster defence. A large crowd had watched an entertaining local derby which was played in excellent spirit.

2nd XV

Lost 5-13

In a very physical match, KGS lost out in a very close game. After being penalised repeatedly early on the team saw themselves 8-0 after 10 minutes and finding little structure to their game. However some telling runs by Jack Smith, Rhys Williams and Andrew Collins led to a revived performance and with the team failing to convert a three on one opportunity with the last play of the half, the teams turned round with no addition to the score.

The second half followed a similar trend and with both teams changing personnel regularly, patterns of play were irregular. Lancaster scored a try, but an excellent response saw KGS dominate in the forwards and finally witness Rhys Williams crash over. Joseph Wareing, Patrick Callery and Luke Woodward were outstanding up front and with Robert Lockhart and Fraser Burnie regularly breaking the line, it was disappointing that try scoring opportunities were not taken.

U16 XV

Won 26-8

KGS started strongly against a physical Lancaster side, scoring a try within the first five minutes of the game, due to some intelligent kicking and clinical finishing.  Lancaster responded swiftly with a try from a counter attack, levelling the scores.  A penalty from each side left the scores level at half time.  With the wind behind them, KGS progressed towards the Lancaster try line through a combination of aggressive running and individual skill, scoring two tries through the forwards and a drop goal from fly half debutant Will Lockhart.  KGS held their nerve, maintaining an impenetrable defence, eventually coming out winners 26-8.

U15A XV

Won 22-5

KGS made it six wins from six as they beat Lancaster 22-5.  Twitchett was the first to cross the line as he darted through two defenders after the forwards winning a quick ruck.  Powell went over just before half time from a loose ball off a scrum which made the half time score 12-5.  A very close game despite the rain and the wind.  KGS continued to battle through the LRGS defence.  Wilkinson's interception early in the second half made the score 17-5.  Some solid tackling from Collins and Joyner made it more difficult for LRGS to gain any space to run with the ball.  Last try came from a team effort, an organised catch and drive from a line-out allowing Bruce to score.

U15B XV

Lost 5-46

The U15B team competed throughout this tough fixture but Lancaster was too strong and fast. KGS showed great determination to score a well worked try from Sam Sissons.

U14A XV

Lost 12-10

The U14A team have unfortunately lost their unbeaten record, to a very strong and determined Lancaster side. But as the score line may suggest, this was a marvellously entertaining game, and a credit to schoolboy rugby. Both teams played some outstanding rugby, and both sets of players couldn’t give anymore, in respect effort, determination and commitment. KGS opened up the scoring with some fine forward play on the opposition 22 metre line. Coleman, Abbott, Campbell and Lavelle, working tirelessly up front, created a rolling maul, and Jack Campbell once again found a gap in the opposition defence and drove over the try line.

KGS went 5-0 up, but this only brought the opposition to life, and some marvellous defence play by the whole back division, Carter, Seward, Edwards, Roper, and Keelan, kept Lancaster at bay, then a rather fortuitous kick by the Lancaster full back slipped through what seemed like a stone wall Kirkham defence, and the opposition winger scored a try from running the whole length of the field! Just before half time KGS scored a well-deserved try when the ball passed through the whole of the KGS backs for Matt Thomas to score a text book try. Edwards and Roper in particular made some excellent runs through the Lancaster defence.

In the second half the game swung from end to end, and KGS continued to tackle everything that moved, The Captain Charlie Abbott leading by example. Lancaster scored their second try and converted it which put the opposition 2points ahead. Despite a frantic final 5minutes camped on the opposition 5 metre line KGS couldn’t score, and the game finished 12-10 in Lancaster’s favour. The game finished with some rapturous applause from both sets of parents.  

U14B XV

Lost 0 – 50

KGS battled hard against the usual very strong Lancaster opposition.  The boys competed equally for many parts of the game, but unfortunately missed tackles every now and then were very costly to the score line.  KGS were close to scoring tries on a number of occasions but couldn’t quite make it over the line.  It was pleasing to see the boys never give up even though there was never a chance of winning the game.  Matthew Neil and Ben Clowes played very well for the backs, and the stand out forwards were Nick Matthewman and Marius Lukauskas.


U13A XV

Lost 0-48

This contest was not as one sided as the score line suggested with KGS competing well in the first quarter of the match, gaining their fair share of lineout and scrum possession. However a knock on saw Lancaster pounce and score from 50 metres to leave KGS disappointed. Further mistakes in the first half saw Lancaster score two more tries with countless amounts of possession.

KGS turned round full of hope but conceded an early try to leave them chasing the game. KGS defended heroically at times but the weight of the Lancaster began to tell as the game wore on and four more tries were added by the rampant Lancaster backs. KGS did enjoy a period of pressure deep in the Lancaster half late on but could not quite get over the line. Will Bruce controlled the back line well for KGS whilst pack leader Jack Culver seemed to cover every metre of grass on the pitch.

U13B XV

Lost 35-7

An improved performance this week against a strong Lancaster B team. The boys defended with vigour for large parts of the match. The defence of Newby and Lewthwaite being particularly encouraging.

Lancaster dominated the forward exchanges with KGS surviving off a small percentage of possession. In truth the difference between the two teams was that Lancaster was able to retain possession. Luckily KGS could counter dangerously with strong running from Smith, Bailey and in particular Dylan Corkhill who scored a fine try.

It is pleasing that some boys new to rugby such as Caleb and Madill are playing with such enthusiasm and ever developing skill. As we look forward to next week's fixture against Denstone College we must improve our ball retention and we must also not panic when we gain possession. The team certainly showed spirit and enthusiasm on Saturday against strong opponents which was pleasing.

U12A XV

Won 44-5

A pleasing win against a traditionally strong school. KGS showed some real signs of improvement from last week as they played with much more shape in different situations on the pitch. With pack displaying a much more collective effort, KGS had plenty of possession, and with Butler and Wilkinson working well together at half back, the backs were released in promising attacking situations. Although KGS often spilled the ball in these situations the winning of so much ball is encouraging.

The backs were rotated every five minutes or so to ensure that all had an experience of playing in different positions. All played well although there is still a need to carry the ball in two hands and look for a pass at the right time. LRGS came back well in the second half and asked questions about a sometimes lazy KGS defence. Nevertheless this was a very good win and should boost the confidence of all the team.

U12B XV

Lost 17-7

The U12B team faced Lancaster in what would turn out to be a very close and entertaining match. The majority of the first half was played just inside the KGS half, but both sides were evenly matched and there was not a lot of difference between the two teams. Both sides were aggressive in the tackle and worked together in twos and threes. When Lancaster did look like breaking our line, some excellent tackling from Ran Parkinson and Tom Goulding kept them at bay, and the Lancaster forwards were being matched by KGS. It was, therefore, disappointing when Lancaster scored a try late on in the half, and went into the break in the lead.

The second half was very similar to the first, and both sides matched each other, with the majority of the play taking place around the half way line. However, KGS’s hard work and persistence paid off when Oliver Billington broke through the Lancaster defence with a strong piece of individual running to score a well-deserved try, which was then converted. Now seven – five in the lead, KGS’s confidence grew and they started to run the ball with increasing belief. However, in the latter stages of the game, with legs tiring a little, the Lancaster centre ran straight and hard on two occasions to score two late tries. The boys had played well, and certainly worked well as a team, despite the eventual defeat.