KIRKHAM GRAMMAR SCHOOL RUGBY RESULTS v MANCHESTER GRAMMAR SCHOOL -SATURDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2011

U16 XV

Manchester 0 KGS 10

With KGS losing to Lymm HS (Floodlit Cup), Merchant Taylors' (Lancashire Cup) and Manchester beating both opponents, this was always going to be a difficult game. Taking into account also that this year group had never beaten Manchester GS and was missing Matthew Beaty, Marcus Molinga, George Brookes and Ben Swift, this was a remarkable result.

From the outset the forwards, ably led by Luke Woodward and Andrew Collins dominated all phases of play and with particular dominance in the line out and mauling departments, KGS constantly put the opposition on the back foot. Playing uphill in the first half KGS attacked initially through Ryan Wilkinson and Robert Lockhart, before having to defend on their line for the final fifteen minutes of the half. Sam Gale, Calum Paley, Chris Coplestone and Scott Rudd set the example here. Half time concluded at 0-0.

The second half step up the pace and some excellent kicking by Sam Hargreaves, who was having his best game at outside half, led to a lineout which the pack drove thirty metres and with a rolling maul ensuing, Luke Woodward crashed over for the opening score. Sensible kicking and some telling runs by Ben Rhodes-Power led to an attacking position for the team. From an excellently executed move by Sam Hargreaves, Ryan Wilkinson crashed onto a ball which saw him carry his opposing number over the line with him. An excellent break by Jack Smith from the kick off saw KGS camped on the Manchester line and with the ball being held up twice it was disappointing that the team could not finish with one or two more tries. An excellent performance and well deserved.

U15A XV

Manchester 29 KGS 5

Having lost three players due to injuries and illnesses, and the combination of missed tackles on the wing meant that KGS was 15 – 0 down after just 15 minutes of play. However the U15’s managed to pull back a try just before half time, very strong running from Ben Everson, allowed Lewis Leech to cross the line. Half time score 15–5. The second half saw KGS fall further behind because of the basic errors. Having not played any competitive matches for a couple of weeks due to adverse weather meant that the U15’s has lost their match fitness and was poor with their contact skills. The flood gate eventually opened and Manchester Grammar School scored three very quick tries in the last 10 minutes of the game.

U15B XV

Manchester 17 KGS 0

In their last match of the season, which unfortunately has been decimated by the bad weather, the U15B team faced Manchester Grammar School away, a tough fixture at anytime. The waterlogged pitches again caused a problem and the match was reduced to 15 minutes each way. Kirkham started strongly and were unlucky not to score in the first few minutes through concreted effort from the forwards. However, Manchester took advantage of a disorganised back line and scored a simple try from an overlap. It was still close at half time but after Kirkham had a try disallowed, Manchester scored two more tries without reply.

U14A XV

Manchester 29 KGS 19

KGS opened up the scoring with an early score by Connor Wilkinson (converted by Powell) after some good play. Although KGS worked hard in defence some poor tackling allowed the speedy Manchester wing to level the scores. KGS than bounced back as Henry Cameron was allowed to run in a wide open space created by a sustained attack. However, more poor tackling allowed the Manchester side, who were very good at capitalising on our mistakes, to score another try out wide.

In the second half lapses in concentration allowed to rather soft tries to be scored but then KGS bounced back with a period of sustained pressure. KGS played well in this last period and were rewarded with a let try by Wilkinson,converted by Powell.

U14B XV

Manchester 41 KGS 7

KGS U14's finished the season on a slightly low note.  After the famous victory against Sedbergh School the boys seemed rather sluggish and got off to a poor start conceding a few early tries.  Harry Knight then scored a try in the corner and Jack Welch converted with a superb kick.  With the ball in hand KGS made good ground and competed very well, but too many tackles were missed and disappointing rucking cost them dearly.  Manchester turned out comfortable winners in the end but the second half was a much more even contest which was encouraging.

U13A XV

Manchester 15 KGS  24

After weeks of inactivity KGS U13's were glad to brush off the cobwebs and play some rugby, indeed the recent dormant spell seemed to be to KGS’s liking as they tore into Manchester from the start belying the conditions and throwing the ball about with aplomb. The backs always had the measure of their opponents producing several overlaps one of which saw Josh Keelan streak away a down the left, beat the full-back on the outside to score in the corner. In fact the backs produced a mirror image of that move some 5 minutes later only to be brought back by the touch judge. The wide open spaces of the 1st team pitch was certainly to KGS's liking as the rest of the half saw three more tries with Oliver Kitchen running in from 30 metres and Matthew Thomas producing a scintillating break to go over from half way, Will Roper kicking two conversions. The second half saw KGS take their foot off the gas, tackles were missed which allowed Manchester to score two long range tries with the KGS defence at sixes and sevens. After their third try Manchester, who by now had their tales up, had a chance of victory but creditably Captain Charles Abbot rallied the team with some forceful carries and when KGS did gain possession managed to get up field and create more try scoring opportunities, ending the game pressurising the Manchester line.

U13B XV

Manchester 10 KGS 7

An excellent performance by the KGS team. In the first half the Manchester forwards were a little to strong for the KGS pack, and scored 2 tries, by winning quick ball and releasing the Manchester backs. Nevertheless, Roland Burt, and Will Forsyth, led by the front and both had good performances throughout the game.

In the second half the KGS backs saw more of the ball and George Hurst scored a well deserved try.  Ben Le Saint, and Sam Walsh were the pick of the backs, alongside the scrum half Sachin Nantheesan, who also had a particularly good game. KGS were unfortunate not to level the scores.

U12

Manchester 12 KGS 39

The U12's started slowly in their game against Manchester GS and were 7–0 down after just two minutes but that score seemed to shake them into action and the forwards started to dominate with their rucking. Chris Walker scored an excellent individual try, catching the ball in a line out and sprinting over unopposed. There were four more tries in the first half. Harry Balmer drove over from a ruck close to the opposition try line. Alex Mayhall and Jake Lonsdale scored outstanding tries after being the recipients of some excellent running and passing along the back line. Henry Pearson ran the length of the field after intercepting a pass. In the second half Will Bruce scored from a penalty and Jake Lonsdale scored another following up a cross field kick. Flanker Jack Culver was outstanding throughout the whole match. Will Bruce added two conversions in a very pleasing 39–12 victory.