Kirkby Lonsdale 2nd XV v Blackburn

Kirkby 2nd team travelled to Blackburn looking to build on last week's home win. As usual there were several changes to the starting team.
Aaron Parker came into start at hooker in between Jamie Simpson and Jack Woodhouse. Robin Whittaker and Alex Denby returned to make up the 2nd Row. Alastair Prickett and Angus Knight were on the flank with utility player Joe MacDonald packing down at number 8. Late drop outs meant Lewis Dennison and skipper James Billington were the half backs. Jason Short and Josh Walters made a powerful centre partnership. A back 3 of Kiwi Sam Peeks, Sam Nicholson and Ed Latham completed the line up. Joe Woodhouse and Dave Barton were the impact players off the bench.

Kirkby kicked off into a light breeze and Blackburn collected. After a cagey start and a Blackburn knock on Kirkby were first to score. From a scrum just outside Blackburn's 22 the ball was moved wide to Nicholson who made yards and got a lovely pass away to Peeks. The ball was recycled and moved into midfield where skipper Billington put Denby into a gap to storm under the posts. The conversion bounced back off the post but Kirkby had the perfect start 0-5

Blackburn slowly grew into the game with a powerful set of forwards and some suspect tackling from kirkby they drew level when Kirkby knocked on and the ball was moved quickly for the full back to score an unconverted try. 5-5

Blackburn now had their tails up and were the better side for the next 20 minutes. A combination of powerful forward play from Blackburn, a misfiring Kirkby lineout and sloppy defence kept the home side on the front foot. Blackburn used their strong driving maul to great effect and at times it was undefendable. All this lead to 2 further tries without reply one of which was converted to put them into a commanding 17-5 lead.

Kirkby had a slight reshuffle before half time. Whittaker, who had put a fantastic shift in had earned a rest so Dennison moved into the back row, skipper Billington went to 9 and Barton came off the bench at 10. This didn't have any effect on Blackburn's dominance and they scored a fourth try to make it 22-5 with 5 minutes of the first half to play.

Kirkby desperately needed the next score to stand any chance of getting back into the game. Thankfully this happened on the stroke of half time when Kirkby managed to get some sustained pressure in the Blackburn 22 and a tapped penalty was moved into midfield where Josh Walters barreled and spun his way under the posts which was converted by Knight.

Half Time 22-12

The half time team talk was simple, keep our structure, make tackles, get the line out functioning and try to tire the big Blackburn pack out. Prickett had taken a knock to his knee so Whittaker returned to the 2nd Row and Joe Woodhouse came on for his brother Jack in the front row..

Joe's impact was instant he collected the Blackburn kick off and set off on a barnstorming run, bouncing off attempted tackles and leaving a trail of defenders in his wake. Kirkby were on the front foot and the ball was moved wide where Nicholson came into the line and jinked his way over the tryline to put Kirkby very much back in the game at 22-17. Knight dragged his conversion attempt wide but now Kirkby had their tails up!

Kirkby had to reshuffle again as Peeks took a heavy blow on his ankle. Jack Woodhouse returned to the field of play but didn't fancy a stint on the wing and rejoined the front row. All this meant utility player Macdonald headed out onto the wing.

Despite this Kirkby looked to be the team that would kick on and win it from this point and were all over the home team. Blackburn weathered the storm well and from a scrum on half way their fly half tried to kick his team into good field position. He shanked his kick and it held up in the wind, Kirkby were slow to react to the bouncing ball and paid the price as Blackburn's outside centre scooped the ball up rode a couple of attempted tackles and streaked away to score under the posts. The conversion was missed but they had restored their 10 point lead 27-17.

Kirkby didn't panic and showed that last try was against the run of play and they continued to pile on the pressure and scored the try of the game. Kirkby play started deep in their own half and strong runs from the forwards allowed skipper Billington to release his backs, Barton's miss pass put Short in space who was supported by Nicholson who made the hard yards and drew the last man to feed Winger Latham who showed great pace to beat the cover defense to score on the corner. Knight couldn't convert from out wide - 27-22 with 20 minutes to go.

Kirkby were rampant and strong carries from the forwards Joe Woodhouse, Whittaker, Parker and Denby took some stopping. With the wheels coming off Kirkby's lineout any penalties were tap and goes and Kirkby took the lead from a tap and go where Short and Walters did damage in midfield with powerful carries. This allowed veteren Barton to break a couple of tackles and get round under the posts, with Knight adding the extras Kirkby were now 2 points clear with 10 minutes to go 27-29.

Blackburn kept coming back at Kirkby and Nicholson made some excellent last ditch tackles to keep his team in the game as the powerful Blackburn players were showing they weren't finished yet. Kirkby had a chance to seal it as Walters, Nicholson and Short made yards but the final pass was dropped with the tryline begging. We won't mention any names here Macca!!!!

Kirkby sealed it with the last play of the match as Blackburn were penalised at a ruck. Knight shaved the inside of the posts with his kick at goal to record an excellent 27-32 away win.

Attitude was the word of the day and the team showed that in spades. Another improved performance from this young side showing huge determination against a massive Blackburn pack and powerful backs.

Players of the match -
Forwards - Alex Denby for his sift in defence, constantly battling and making tackles on much bigger opposition.

Backs - Sam Nicholson for his elusive running with ball in hand and his last ditch try saving tackles.

Thanks must go to Gary Wilson for his tireless organisation mid week and to Leandro, Barty and Baines for their coaching input. Special mention to Baino for ditching his weekend getway to support the lads and give encouragement from the sidelines.

Next week's game - Bolton Lostock 2nds at home. If you can't make the trip to watch the 1sts at Burnage please get down and see what this young team has to offer!