Kirkby Lonsdale v Blackburn - A game of two halves

Kirkby welcomed Blackburn to Underley Park for this 4th round game of the season with some 200 spectators looking forward to an exciting game of rugby. Blackburn are riding high in the league and looking for the top spot.

Kicking off from the Clubhouse end, Kirkby attacked and the forwards looked like opening the score but the visitors defence held and managed to clear their lines with a kick up field to relieve the pressure. The line out was taken by Kirkby and they launched a further attack along the backs but lost the ball in the following ruck. Blackburn regrouped and their back line moved the ball out to give the winger room to stretch his legs, which were duly taken away by Higgs at full back 10 meters out. The home team defence held and Ree at stand off cleared down field. Blackburn gathered and good handling gave the visitors a chance to attack but were deemed off side and the home team were back in the visitors twenty two. Despite the Kirkby forwards giving an average of 5 stone per man, they took the line out and drove towards the line only to lose the ball with a knock on. Somewhat rattled, the visitors used their backs to move play into Kirkby's half with their number 13, Boulder, knocking on 20 meters out. Twenty minutes in and the spectators were enjoying some good rugby with play moving end to end. A further attack by Blackburn saw their heavier forwards go over the line for the first try after twenty minutes. The conversion was ruled out by the referee despite both linesmen's flags being lifted. 0-5! This score appeared to unsettle the home side who concede two further tries within 5 minutes to move the score to 0-17. Kirkby came back at the visitors from the restart and Blackburn conceded a penalty which Ree found touch 10 meters out. Harkness gathered and the Kirkby pack headed for the line. After several moves the visitors defence gave way for Weeks to score. Converted by Ree, the score read 7-17. With half time looming both sides were looking to increase their respective scores but a tackle by Walmsley saw the referee reach for his yellow card due to a high tackle, which seemed somewhat harsh. From a tap penalty by number 9 Pilkington, who fed the ball to winger Fifield, the 4th try was scored in extra time. Half time score 7-22.
The second half restarted and saw 15 against 14, which however you look at it, does not go! Despite dogged defence by the home side the Blackburn backs were on a roll with 3 tries before Walmsley returned to the field when the score had moved to 7-43. A period of stability returned to Kirkby who found themselves on the defensive side of the game until the visiting forwards joined in the scoring after 20 minutes to bring their score to a half century. Further problems befell Kirkby when Bradshaw received a yellow card for a high tackle. The big forwards of the Blackburn pack started to bulldoze through the centre of the field and despite fierce tackling the home side could not stem the attacks. Their backs joined in and the score quickly moved to 7-69. Kirkby still had fight and a kick up field looked like a try was on the cards but 5 meters out, Oats was bundled into touch. Battered and bruised, Kirkby kept fighting but the experienced and heavier team saw their highest win of the season as the final whistle blew. The score board showing 7-90, which was not a true reflection of the game.

The Underley Park faithful have a lot to cheer about their team who week on week give their all and deserve the support given.

Burnage away next week will give the team another hard game.