Kirkby still looking for points
Following last weeks heavy defeat at the hands of Blackburn there was an air of optimism on the Coach heading down the M6 to Northwich. The Kirkby Officials were hopeful that a similar fate would not occur as when Northwich came to Kirkby their Clubhouse caught fire and are still in temporary premises. Thankfully not.
Kirkby kicked off to a roar from their supporters but gave a penalty away in the opening minutes to give Northwich a line out in the Kirkby's half. Good defence yielded a high tackle by the home side to relieve the pressure for the visitors. Back came the home side and following hands in the ruck by Kirkby to give them a line out 25 yards out. Kirkby deemed off side and a quickly taken penalty saw the home side score to give them a 7 point lead after 10 minutes. Kirkby came back from the restart and drew a penalty followed by a line out 10 yards out. Not straight gave the Northwich the scrum but Kirkby won the ball back and an attacking move resulted in a high tackle which warranted a yellow card. Lawson stepped up and slotted the 3 points for Kirkby. From the kick off the Kirkby lads attacked but lost the ball in the ruck. The next 15 minutes saw good attacking play by both sides with nothing between them but Kirkby saw Little stretchered off with an ankle injury. With half an hour gone the home side saw their winger touch down in the corner to move the score to 14-3. Despite the visitors competing and winning the ball from the restart the home side won it back in the ruck and kicked down field to see their speedy winger score their third try in the opposite corner to the one 2 minutes previously. Not converted 19-3. Errors by Kirkby keep giving the opposition the advantage and as half time approached Northwich had two further tries to their tally bringing the score to 31-3.
Undeterred, Kirkby came out fighting as the second half started and were camped on the Northwich line but could not cross it due to a strong home defence. Winning the ball back the home side forwards moved out of their 22 and a break by their backs saw the first try of the second half by some slick moves along the line. 36-3. Attacking moves by Kirkby gave them the momentum to take charge of play on their opponents line and good work by the pack saw Weeks in for Kirkby's first try of the match after 15 minutes. 36-8. Northwich pack took charge from the kick off and moved towards the Kirkby line before releasing the ball to their back line and a further score was made by their winger to increase the board to 41-8. On the attack again by the home side who were looking for further scores and a break by their winger was chased down by Lawson whose tackle stopped a further try. The next play saw Kirkby's Smith intercept the ball and head north, but as a second row was looking for support as he was overhauled. Northwich wanted more but stout defence denied the further score until their winger broke through with 5 minutes of the half remaining to show the board 46-8. As the full time loomed, a further try gave the home side a 51-8 victory. This score line did not reflect the to's and flo's of this game with attacks not tending to be flawed by their opponents, but knock on's and off sides which have been a feature of this seasons play. Again, not the result that Kirkby deserved but heart, pride and effort will see this young team in good stead for the future and return to Regional 1 North West in a couple of years will surely be seen.
Next week will see a tough game against Rossendale at Underley Park who are riding high in this division. Kick off at 3 pm.
As seen by DJH.