KIRKHAM GRAMMAR SCHOOL RUGBY RESULTS V MERCHANT TAYLORS’ – SATURDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2011

1st XV
Lost 13-23

Kirkham Grammar School 1st XV faced another stern test when they faced a strong Merchant Taylors’ side that had only lost one game this season. KGS started well and looked to be the dominant team, unfortunately after ten minutes they lost vice-captain and prop Phil Cringle. This loss was vital as eventually the game went to non-contested scrums as KGS also lost hooker Lewis Leech. Despite these injuries KGS led at half time 6-3 after two excellent George Brookes penalties.

Just after half time KGS self-destructed and allowed Merchants to score 2 soft tries after KGS defensive errors. KGS did respond with captain Tom Hurst leading the way with some vital tackles and was closely followed by co-centre Ben Swift who stopped the stem of attacks by Merchant's. Regaining composure KGS fought back and after some good forward play especially from flanker Elliot Crowe, young fly half Dominic Basely scored an excellent try converted by George Brookes. The scores were now tied and Merchant's heads were down, but maybe due to lack of experience or composure KGS self-destructed again playing too much rugby in their own half and getting turned over allowing Merchant’s to re-gain the lead for a 23-13 victory.

U16 XV
Lost 40-14

KGS started well and after a sustained attack were rewarded with a try by Wilkinson. MTS replied capitalising on mistakes made by KGS. This then became the major theme of the game. KGS had plenty of possession on the basis of their efficient set pieces, but time after time lost the ball in contact, failed to clear out in the rucks, or threw risky passes to team mates. MTS always responded to these mistakes and were allowed to skilfully counter often finishing with a try.

As MTS built up the score KGS could have capitulated, but they showed great spirit. A well worked try by West epitomised this effort. However, as the game neared its end, MTS began to turn the ball over regularly. This allowed some of their talented players to show their skill. Some frantic defence saved KGS from further tries. Right up to the final moments the pack was still functioning well in the scrum and line out. With a little more application of skill and intelligent use of territory and possession this game could have been much closer.

U14 XV
Won 50-7

In what must have been 100mph gales, the pitch being situated right on the sea front. The under 14’s secured a comprehensive victory against a well drilled Merchant Taylors’ side. This was without doubt a superb performance by the KGS U14’s.  Both the forwards and the backs played exceptional rugby in very difficult conditions. Matt Thomas opened the scoring within a minute by breaking through the defence and running a try from his own 22metre line. The opposition with a very strong wind behind them then played a kicking game, keeping KGS within their own half. Merchant’s equalised soon after.

Up to the last 5 minutes of the first half this was a closely contested game. Then KGS scored the best try of the game, with the ball being passed through 10 pairs of hands, The KGS backs took advantage of an overlap and the man of the match Charlie Abbott, broke clear to score his first of five tries. Just seconds before the half time whistle KGS scored again to put the scores at 19-7 at half time. This gave us an important lead and with the wind to our advantage in the second half.

The forwards moved up a gear, and the front row of, Cartmell, Campbell and Lavelle started to command the scrums, and with the back row of Kitchen Coleman, and Abbott covering every blade of grass, KGS relentlessly kept breaking through the opposition defence. George Carter, and Todd Roper the 9 & 10 respectively made intelligent runs creating space for Edwards and Thomas to run at will. The full back James Seward played equally well, and his movement and catching, particularly under pressure with the severe wind helped the team to play cohesively.
At the final whistle the team walked off receiving applause from both sets of parents, which was nice to see.

RUGBY RESULTS V QEGS, BLACKBURN – SATURDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2011

2nd XV 
Won 41-0

With a number of the regular players moving up to the first team squad at Merchant Taylors’, this was a chance to give others a run out against QEGS first fifteen. After initially creating many mistakes, the second team got into their running and an excellent try was scored by Callum Paley, quickly followed by Robert Lockhart. However QEGS responded well and half time saw Kirkham leading 12-0.

The second half was a different game and with the match ceasing five minutes early, KGS added another five tries through Paley, Lockhart (2), Marcus Eaton and Andrew Collins. Sam Hargreaves kicked three conversions and with a tough fixture on the horizon against Woodhouse Grove, the team will be pleased with this result.

U15 XV
Won 46-5

Kirkham started this match quite tentatively, allowing a strong Blackburn pack to dominate the early stages of the match, especially in the scrums. However, once their defence had been organised and they played to simple systems, KGS started to control the game and their confidence increased. With good tackling from Jamie Baldwin they were able to use the turnover ball quickly and found gaps out wide. This resulted in two tries a piece in the first half from Harvey O' Connell and Josh Powell.

In the second half Blackburn scored a well-deserved try but KGS responded by attacking out wide with strong runs from Mihir Parmar and Jack Welch leading to tries from Ellis Clark, David King and Alex Whalley.

U13 XV
Won 47-24

This encounter proved to be a valuable exercise against a determined QEGS team as a large squad with several `B` squad members enjoyed valuable match time. KGS dominated the early exchanges running the ball freely which gave both wingers plenty of ball and it was Henry Pearson who opened the scoring with a fine weaving run to score under the posts. Matthew Newby, at no. 8, was involved in numerous drives and it was he who gave the KGS pack impetus in the first half and allowed the backs to enjoy quick possession. More tries came at regular intervals form Chris Walker (2), Jack Culver and Alex Mayhall to give KGS a convincing 40-0 half time lead.

The second half saw numerous changes in the KGS personnel with QEGS having much more possession and indeed they came back into the game well. KGS started to drop off tackles and lose a little concentration as the visitors scored four tries in quick succession. After another wave of possession by QEGS however, scrum half Dylan Corkhill broke from his own line to sprint the full length to score under the posts with Matthew Newby adding the conversion to his previous four. There were notable performances from back row forwards Daniel McManaman and Will Corbett.