KIRKHAM GRAMMAR SCHOOL V WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL ON SATURDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2008

1st XV     KGS 61    Wirral 6

In a free flowing game played at KGS the 1st XV produced a very commanding performance.  Forwards and backs interlinked throughout saving a record number of points against Wirral Grammar School.

After initially going 3-0 behind KGS controlled the game with strong running props James Hesketh and Kieran Brookes leading the way.  Many gaps appeared in the Wirral defence which allowed fly-half Daniel Bibby to exploit, and he helped himself to three tries.  The  forwards continued to dominate, producing a large amount of ball for the backs.  Centre Tommy Banks (2 tries) and wings Stephen Hamilton and James Gardiner also collected tries.  Young full back Callum Bennett continued his successful start to the season collecting 16 points all in conversions.

KGS now await two strong tests on consecutive Saturdays in RGS Newcastle and RGS Lancaster.

2nd XV     KGS  34    Wirral 12

A good performance by the 2nd XV.  KGS dominated the first half through strong forward play and territorial advantage.  Despite some handling error and poor use of possession, KGS took a 22-0 lead at half time.

In the second half, Wirral came back well and scored two tries as all of KGS’s replacements took the field and took time to readjust.  When they did so, KGS finished well with two further tries as a result of good use of skills in broken play. Tries:    Marmion (3), Jones (+1 conversion), Roper, Brown and Beswick (1 conversion).

U16XV     KGS  57    Wirral  7

Once again the U16’s trained well leading up to this match and were looking to improve on the 24-5 victory they had over these opponents last year.  Initially Wirral competed well, particularly through their talented outside half and number eight.  However after seven minutes a rolling KGS maul ended up with Ryan Morton running blind and touching down for the first points of the morning.  Ben Jones added the conversion.  After foul play by the Wirral winger, Jones converted the penalty for the team to lead 10-0 after fifteen minutes.  Wirral then had their best passage of play and held firm until twenty five minutes when a free flowing move ended with Ryan Morton touching down in the corner.

The second half then erupted with wave after wave of KGS attack, mainly from inside their own twenty two.  Jonny Taylor, George Naylor, Ryan Morton, Stanley Graham, Ben Jones and James Coulthard scored fantastic tries from counter attacks, but the try of the game was finished off by Anish Chandreskar who scored after the ball had been passed fourteen times.  Henry Hesketh scored a strong individual try and with Ollie Rowlands, Matthew Ellis, Alex Lo and Joshua Keay particularly controlling the game, Wirral were never able to really get back into the match. A big test comes next week for Bobby Garlington’s team against Newcastle RGS but they must approach this game now with confidence.  Well done to all twenty two players.

U15A    KGS  58    Wirral  0

The U15A’s travelled to Wirral Grammar School on Saturday.  Despite the late arrival, KGS started well and scored an excellent try in the first five minutes.  The U15’s continued to control play throughout the first half and managed to score 28 points.  Against a weakened Wirral side, KGS had to even up the contest and six players were replaced from an enlarged squad.  It was pleasing to see these players step up to the mark and between them scored 30 points, making the final score 58-0.  Special mention must go to Tom Hurst, Sam Hall and Joe Walsh who played particularly well.

U14A    KGS 17    Wirral 22

Despite defeat this was a very creditable performance by the KGS side.  The forwards worked timelessly throughout the game dominating the lineouts and rucks.  The back row of Matthew Beatty, Marcus Mollinga and Sam Gale were outstanding along with the hooker Luke Woodward.  A try each by Ben Swift and Ryan Wilkinson gave KGS a solid lead at half time.  The onslaught of penalties against KGS proved a little too much and a final try by Wirral in the dying seconds gave them the victory.

All the backs played with determination and flair.  However Jack Smith, Ben Rhodes Powers and Ryan Wilkinson all had excellent performances.  Man of the match was Ryan Wilkinson.

U14B     KGS  10    Wirral 54

The U14B’s started poorly conceding three early tries without reply, against bigger and stronger opposition.  However, in the last ten minutes of the first half the boys rallied scoring a try and competed valiantly in the forwards.  Even though the final scoreline was disappointing, there were encouraging patches within the game where the KGS boys matched their opponents.  More work is required on fitness, basic tackling and rucking, but with six players also unavailable it was always going to be a tough match.

U13A     KGS  5    Wirral 45

KGS were out muscled but not outclassed by a powerful Wirral team that also boasted a penetrative backline.  The main problem lay in the KGS defence where there was a regular tendency to give away possession.  However, KGS did mount a second half fight back and put together some neat passages of play which resulted in a try for Tom Hunter after some close driving play by the forwards.  Eventually the size of the Wirral pack took its toll on the KGS forwards and tiredness allowed three late tries to be conceded.

U13B     KGS 5        Wirral 29

The B team game followed a similar pattern with the Wirral No 8 and wingers causing KGS no end of problems in defence, however, KGS never gave up and tried hard right up to the final whistle eventually losing 29-5.

U12A    KGS 34    Wirral 7

Most of the pre match talk was about how important it was that the team got off to a good start with everyone making a big effort in playing ‘go forward’ rugby rather than running sideways.  The side carried off the instructions superbly and found that this enabled them to play most of the game in the opposition half.  The back row were particularly instrumental in achieving this and the No 8 was outstanding creating good rucking platforms from his hard running at the base of the scrum. Also of particular note amongst a set of forwards who performed very well were the tireless efforts of the two props.  The backs had a very enjoyable morning with an abundance of ball to play with.  They used some of this very effectively moving the ball fluently along the back line.  Overall, this was a very encouraging performance and a vast improvement on the previous week.  If the same progress can be made each week the team can look forward to a successful season.