12 September 2017
8/9/17
1st XV vs Llandovery College 1st XV
Won: 39-24
Kirkham Grammar School 1st XV travelled to meet top Welsh rugby school Llandovery College at Oswestry Rugby Club for their first game of their season. Kirkham had a number of players making their debuts against powerful opponents. Captain, Kieran Wilkinson, helped his new team settle with good tactical decisions whilst Vice-Captain Sam Dugdale made a powerful contribution scoring 2 tries in a very physical encounter. Centre, Evan Powell, was involved in a number of fine attacks which also lead him to score 2 tries whilst co-centre, Dan Kelly, helped himself to one. Despite a big lead at half time, Llandovery College came back and Kirkham edged to a fine 39-24 victory. Flanker Teddy Leatherbarrow and prop Niall Cooney were in good form during the whole game and used their experience to help the younger players.
Final score 25-39. Thank you for a great game @KGSrugby and good luck for the rest f the season. pic.twitter.com/eE7PFaiyru
— LlandoveryCollege PE (@LlandoveryColPE) 8 September 2017
9/9/17
KGS 2nd XV vs Crossley Heath 2nd XV
Lost: 43-16
The 2nd XV began the game very positively enjoying large amounts of possession in the early stages which resulted in a try for debutant Joe Corkish. Kirkham played with a slight slope in the first half and allied with an astute kicking game by Corkish whilst fly half, Cameron Hayward, pinned the hosts deep into their own half. Crossley Heath hit back with a try of their own before Hayward slotted a neat penalty to put Kirkham ahead once again 8-7. The home team scored once again to edge ahead and, with the game pretty even right up to half time, Kirkham were still well in the game before a try right on half time by Crossley Heath extended their lead further.
The second half, with the home forwards gaining the upper hand, saw Kirkham leak four more tries - but to their credit they kept going, tackling hard and relieving pressure on their line with some telling kicks. Max Bailey at No.8 had a fine game, always going forward and testing the home defence. The two Kirkham wingers, John Gornall and Sam Read, saw plenty of action and it was a break by Read which gave Kirkham a well-deserved try in injury time as he broke down the right and fed the ball inside to Bailey who dotted down in the corner.
KGS U15 vs Crossley Heath
Won: 62-0
The U15s were at home to Crossley Heath, on the first team pitch. Kirkham were dominant throughout the game with accurate, clinical phase play. Jason Choi lead from the front with two long range tries. Kirkham’s try line was never breached, thanks to swift line speed and aggressive tackling. This was a good result for the boys and well deserved after a hard pre-season.
KGS U14 vs Crossley Heath
Won: 12-0
In the opening fixture of the U14’s season the spectators were treated to an entertaining contest between two talented sides. Kirkham enjoyed plenty of possession early in the first half and managed one try through Tobias Parkinson, who also kicked the conversion. For the middle third of the match, both sides tried hard to play a handling game, moving the ball to the wider channels which was encouraging to see. Parkinson picked up a second try late in the second half following some slick passing from the KGS backline.
Headmasters 1st XV vs Crossley Heath
Lost 45-0 The Headmasters 1st XV had their first ever outing away at Crossley Heath. In an exciting new venture for the school, the boys who took the field increased the amount of boys at Kirkham experiencing 1st XV rugby this week to over forty. The game was a strange one, equal for long periods. The inexperienced KGS XV gave away try's at crucial moments. With 20 minutes to play the score was 22-0 to Crossley Heath and this would probably have been a fairer final score. KGS had long spells of possession, at times in the opponents twenty two, however the team were unable to convert pressure into points. The boys were disappointed however they should be proud of their exploits. The team was almost exclusively U17, with four fifth form making the starting line up. Every player will gain from the experience and in future fixtures they will be able to convert those periods of pressure into points.