KIRKHAM GRAMMAR SCHOOL RUGBY RESULTS V WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SATURDAY 24 SEPTEMBER

1st XV

Wirral GS    15    KGS 45

Kirkham Grammar School 1st XV produced a much improved performance against a talented Wirral Grammar School. In fact it was Wirral who took an early lead after poor defending from KGS, but this setback seemed to spur the KGS players into action. KGS responded with a fine Sam Hall try after counter attacking from deep in their own half. Winger Precious Nwaokomah was in good form and had a strong run down the wing which eventually led to lineout which KGS controlled allowing flanker Sam Peet to crash over. KGS forwards started to gain complete control with Elliot Crowe and Phil Cringle in rampaging form.

Prop John Windle was next to score after a neat switch of play by scrum half Harrison Moulding. KGS's backs looked sharp all afternoon and Ben Swift was strong and direct in the centre, he allowed KGS forwards to gain momentum at rucks and Harrison Moulding was able to darted through a gap to score. KGS continued to apply pressure and were again rewarded after Sam Peet supported a fine break by Sam Hall. Even after giving away an interception to Wirral, KGS responded positively with two tries from captain Tom Hurst. Centre George Brookes had a good day with the boot converting five times for a ten point haul .Final score


2nd XV

Wirral GS   12    KGS    19

This was a rusty performance after the previous opponents of the past two weeks had been unable to put out sides. KGS dominated for large periods of the half but unnecessary mistakes in crucial positions meant that points were not regularly taken. When the basics were executed well, Sam Hargreaves would regularly create holes in the opposition defence for the effective Fraser Burnie, Olly Jump and Marcus Eaton to make good yardage into opposition territory. Two of these moves were finished off by Olly Jump to give KGS a 12-7 lead at half time.

Some excellent carries by Rhys Williams and Joe Wareing led to pressure being put on Wirral but the opposition counter attacked on a turnover and with five minutes to go the teams found themselves all equal. However a brilliant break from the restart from Sam Hargreaves led to Fraser Burnie racing through a gap in the defence to score the winning try.

U15A XV

Wirral    14    KGS 34

A very close encounter against a determined Wirral side.  KGS started well, dominated the game for 20 mins and managed to score two tries.  Some excellent pick and drive by forward Alex Whalley, Henry Joyner and Wilfred Rhodes.  They allowed space for the backs to run and for Wilkinson to score.  In the second half, Wirral came back strong and scored a try immediately after half time, which made the score-line closer (10-7).  However, KGS forwards continued to turnover loose balls and both Wilkinson and Scott took advantage and scored in the last minutes.


U14AXV

Wirral GS    10    KGS 26

This was the under 14A’s third win on the trot, and a thoroughly deserving win it was. This was by far the best performance to date, and an excellent game to watch. KGS started well, throwing the ball out wide giving the wingers plenty of opportunity to test the Wirral defence. This was the initial game plan, and soon paid off with a good try scored by the winger Roland Burt. Shortly afterwards good forward play, from a ruck ball, allowed The tight head prop Tyrone Cartmell to drive over the try line to give KGS a 12-0 lead. Wirral could have folded at this stage, however, there back division showed why they have lost very few games; they had 2 very good centres which gave the KGS defence an enormous challenge. By half time the score was 12-10, and the second half proved even more exciting.

Wirral kept KGS pinned on their own 22 metre line for the opening ten minutes of the second half, and some exceptional defensive play, by Roper, Seward, Carter, and Abbott kept Wirral from scoring what seemed to be an inevitable 3rd try. However some skilful handling by the KGS backs gave Mathew Thomas an opportunity to break through their lines and score an exceptional try from his own 22 metre line. At 19-10, the game was tightly balanced. The Wirral centres gave the KGS defence a difficult time. In the final minutes, the KGS forwards who all had  magnificent games turned over a ruck, which allowed the scrum half Carter to make a searching run, and pass the ball to the standoff Joe Seward, who had an exceptional game to score a very good, and well deserved try which clinched the game in the final moments.

U14B XV

Wirral 35    KGS  21

On their first match of the new rugby season the U14B team performed admirably.  However with a better first half performance, a victory could have been obtained.  Wirral scored a try in the opening five minutes, which awakened the home side.  The rest of the half was very even until the last five minutes when KGS conceded two more converted tries.  A few missed tackles cost them dear.  The second half was a different story with Kirkham being the dominant force and scoring 2 early tries (Forsyth and Walsh) to get them right back in the game.  Unfortunately Wirral ran out probably deserved winners overall, but a very positive opening start from the U14B team.  Special mention must go to KGS’s Marius Laukauskas who played his first ever game of rugby and was one of the outstanding players.

U13A XV

Wirral 57    KGS 0

KGS came off second best against a quality Wirral side that were not only physically more powerful but displayed some sublime handling skills as well. KGS were on the back foot as early as the fifth minute when a dropped pass allowed Wirral to break away quickly and score under the posts. To their credit KGS kept trying and enjoyed success throughout in the scrimmage and line out area, with Jonathan Smith throwing in accurately in particular. However KGS found it difficult to stop the seemingly constant wave of attacks by Wirral who raced to a 28-0 half time lead. With their backs firmly against the wall KGS continued to struggle and gave away possession too easily which allowed Wirral to counter attack from deep, indeed the Wirral right wing scored four long range tries showing great back and footwork. The home side did enjoy short periods of possession but could not find a way to score past dogged Wirral tackling.

U13B XV

Lost 35 10

KGS started off their season with a pleasing performance against very tough opposition.

KGS started the game with promise, retaining the ball well and taking initial control of the game. Henry Pearson ran in a superb try to take a 5-0 lead. Wirral’s large forwards soon took control of possession and KGS’s weaknesses in defence were exposed. Several mistakes let in the strong Wirral runners as they took a commanding lead.

As the second half started KGS continued to fight and in fact managed to score another try through Dylan Corkhill, a pleasing individual effort. In defence the team continued with their extremely high work rate. Attack was the most pleasing part of the game with KGS continually showing attacking instinct and constantly threatening the Wirral line.

Wirral deserve large amounts of credit as they had an extremely strong side (KGS were in fact the second side in two years to score against their U13B team). KGS showed large amounts of potential. A very encouraging display.


U12A XV

Wirral 15    KGS 14

A promising start. KGS looked a little nervous in their first game and this resulted in many mistakes in the first half. Wirral were perhaps a little more organised in the set pieces and benefitted from a much bigger pack. After half time, despite losing 10-0 KGS settled and began to play with more confidence. KGS came back into the game with tries by Wilkinson and Minten (Wilkinson – 2 conversions) although Wirral had themselves squeezed over in the corner for a try. The last five minutes were very tense, with both teams working hard. Nevertheless Wirral hung on for a win. There is much work to do to improve, but the spirit in the team was excellent.

U12B XV

Wirral 17    KGS 19

The U12B team played their first match away at Wirral Grammar School and competed very well. Wirral scored first but KGS replied with a try from Callum Hughes converted by Henry Gouldborne. Wirral scored another try after a concerted defensive effort from KGS but an interception try from Alfie Topping was a just reward for the commitment KGS were showing. Wirral were awarded a controversial penalty try but KGS struck back again and a fine individual try scored by James Allum was converted by Henry Gouldbourne.