KIRKHAM GRAMMAR SCHOOL RUGBY RESULTS V NEWCASTLE RGS

SATURDAY 16 OCTOBER 2010

1st XV

KGS 16 RGS Newcastle 0

Kirkham Grammar School continued their winning ways with a 16-0 win over a strong RGS Newcastle side. Once again KGS took the initiative from the start and put Newcastle under pressure. Second rows Alex Lo and Matthew Ellis dominated the lineout throughout the game. It was from a lineout that KGS opened the scoring when prop Jon Evans crashed over for a try wide out. KGS controlled the game in the first half and should have scored more points but Newcastle defended very well. In fact KGS only had an 8-0 lead at half time after David Egelstaff had converted a penalty. Although RGS Newcastle offered more of a threat they struggled to break KGS's defence. Egelstaff gave KGS a 11-0 lead with another penalty before winger Sam Hall finished off Newcastle with a try created by a fine cross field kick by fly-half Michael Simmons. KGS now look forward to an away trip to Millfield School in Somerset.

2nd XV

KGS 22 RGS Newcastle 31

For the neutral spectator this was an entertaining game, but for those organised with both sides, this was a frustrating game. After starting off slowly once again, KGS found themselves 14-0 down after ten minutes. However some excellent work at the break down by Jack Hingham led to turnovers going in the home side’s favour. Infringements by Newcastle led to a kick to the corner and from this KGS's superior mauling led to Mickey Papangelis powering over. Ben Swift’s quick feet then found a hole in the Newcastle defence and he sprinted away from the defence from forty metres out.

In the second half KGS took the lead with an excellent individual try by Adam Whalley who manage to break five tackles and hand two opponents off before crashing under the posts. Newcastle replied before Fraser Bernie kicked a penalty to give KGS a 22-21 lead with ten minutes to go. However Newcastle broke through some high tackles and managed to score a try that was further enhanced by a penalty for an infringement by the KGS prop underneath the KGS posts.

U16 XV

KGS 26 Newcastle 12

KGS registered a 26-12 victory over RGS Newcastle. KGS played in fits and starts throughout this game against a resolute Newcastle side. Newcastle took the lead with a try after KGS had made a succession of mistakes. KGS then woke up, bounced back and played well for the remainder of the half. Tries by Mollinga, Brookes, Redshaw and Wilkinson demonstrated this period of dominance.

In the second half Newcastle fought back well and opened up the scoring with a try after some poor KGS defence. After this, Newcastle attacked continually and used the possession gained from KGS's ill discipline in the tackle area to press the KGS line. In return KGS showed spirit in defence and made sure the score stayed the same for the remainder of the game.

U15B XV

KGS 0 Newcastle 15

This was a tough match from the start with both teams putting in some ferocious tackles which were often penalised by the referee. KGS competed well for most of the match but with three players making their debut there were occasions when they made the wrong decisions, were unorganised and allowed Newcastle to score a couple of tries.

U14A XV

KGS 19 Newcastle 22

Despite the result this was an excellent game of rugby, and the KGS side were overall the better team. The team started a little slow. Within the first 7 minutes we were 3 tries down, the opposition playing everything within their forwards, and all 3 tries came from rolling mauls! Nevertheless we soon found our feet and Connor Wilkinson scored 2 excellent tries in the 1^st half to bring us back into the game.

In the 2^nd half we put the opposition very much on the back foot, and Oscar Twitchett scored a good try from a No.8 pick up at the base of the scrum. With 5 minutes remaining the game very much on a knife edge, the score at 22-19, Henry Cameron scored a super try racing down the left wing, only for it to be disallowed the referee deemed he just stepped over the line. The team were a little dejected; however, this was a marvellous team effort, and certainly a game to cherish.

U13A XV

KGS 19 Newcastle 36

KGS lost to a combative Newcastle side who worked tirelessly for each other, indeed right from their first period of possession Newcastle scored when the KGS defence was caught napping. A second try followed soon after when KGS were found to be short of numbers on the blind side of a maul which allowed the home winger an easy passage through to score. KGS tried to remain competitive but some missed tackles always let Newcastle gain momentum. Two more tries followed in the first half, with a James Seward charge down effort in between, to leave KGS with a tough assignment in the second half.

To their credit KGS rallied well and showed a higher level of intensity and commitment, tackles were being made and rucks cleared out more effectively. This led to two KGS tries, albeit from interceptions from Captain Charles Abbott. Matthew Thomas made a searing break towards the end of the half which almost led to a score and Oliver Crankshaw was caught just short of the line after a fine run down the left wing. A much better effort from KGS in the second half saw them actually win it two tries to one.

U13B XV

KGS 10 Newcastle 22

Another pleasing performance from the U13B’s. Especially after a long trip to Newcastle. KGS missing several players to injury or unavailability.

Surprisingly after such a long journey KGS started on the front foot, dominating possession and territory with Jack Campbell making some impressive forays into the opposition 22. Ben Clowes also made some pleasing territory and offloaded well. Unfortunately KGS could not quite turn the pressure into territory. KGS then lost Campbell to the A team after an injury, despite this KGS rallied and put more pressure on Newcastle’s line Guthrie eventually crossed.

The second half started somewhat disappointingly, KGS allowing Newcastle time on the ball and for the first time missing tackles 10 minutes of madness ensued with Newcastle scoring 2 quick fire tries. Captain Turnock rallied his troops and the KGS forwards began to dominate with King particularly strong in his new position of prop. Michael Lathwaite came to the fore with some strong running and thumping tackling. The hard work was rewarded with a try for Le Saint. KGS then pressured the KGS line but unfortunately it was too late.

The disappointment at the end of the game was clear, however the performance was strong. KGS will undoubtedly be rewarded with another win soon as long as they keep their focus, team spirit and work ethic.

U12 XV

KGS 17 Newcastle 31

A very well drilled Newcastle RGS side proved another tough fixture for the U12's but despite losing 17 -31 there were once again definite signs of improvement. The forwards and especially the back row started to look as if they were coming together as a unit but there still were lapses in concentration which cost the team dearly as try scoring moments were squandered through lack of support at vital times. Chris Walker scored two tries through his hard straight running and Will Bruce finished the game with an excellent individual try