A win for Kirkby, at last!

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The First XV thoroughly deserved their first win for 18 months, especially for their first half performance. Douglas came back strongly in the second half, but a resolute defence kept them in front. A good crowd, including main club sponsors L&W Wilson, and ball and match sponsor PV Dobson of Levens were treated to a glorious sunny day, and an entertaining match.
Full match report to follow. Also the Second team had a win away at Garstang, 21 13, so a successful day for the club. Yesterday the Junior Colts had a victory away at New Brighton to complete the successful weekend. Match report below

Kirkby Back To Winning Ways.

Kirkby welcomed Douglas Isle of Man to Underley Park for the first time with some consternation being their first game of the season on home turf. The visitors requested a 1pm kick due to travel arrangements which led to cancellation of sponsored lunches, for which the Club apologise. A welcome return to Captain Alex Briggs after injury.
Douglas kicked off from the club side end which Kirkby gathered and took play to their opponents with some good handling and a move up the wing by Lawson saw the the touch judge raise his flag. The home team gathered the ball from the line out and pressured Douglas up the middle of the field. Douglas found themselves off side and Higgs slotted the penalty to give the home spectators something to cheer about after 10 minutes. From the restart, Kirkby were on the attack with a move up the wing by Nicholson who passed inside to Lomas who went over for the first try of the match. Only 15 mins on the clock and Kirkby 8 points ahead. The restart saw Kirkby on the attack and hungry for points with Lawson running the wing and support from Lomas saw the second try to Kirkby moving the Board to 13-0. A period of good rugby in the centre of the field saw Douglas coming back and drawing a penalty which was slotted over the posts to give them 3 points with 25 minutes played. The next 15 minutes saw both sides playing open rugby with good defence on both sides resulting in infringements before the half time whistle brought the half to a close.
A reshuffle by Kirkby moved Bamforth from scrum half to wing with Nicholson at Scrum half. Kirkby restarted the second half but following a tackle by Barton, which the home spectators felt was clean, he was awarded a yellow card. Douglas took advantage and after a period of possession scored their first try to bring the deficit to 3. Kirkby appeared to lose their momentum but the visitors gave a penalty which Higgs slotted to increase the lead to 16-10. The visitors saw the home side faltering and dominated play but solid defence kept them at bay but were awarded a penalty to give them some hope as they moved to within 3 points. Douglas tails were up but the home defence held and a break by the back line saw Kirkby awarded a penalty which Higgs placed between the posts to give them a score line of 19-13 with 10 minutes to full time. An anxious 10 minutes without score saw Kirkby get their first win of season.
Over half these lads have kept the pride of Kirkby Lonsdale Rugby at the forefront of their determination and loyalty to the Club over the previous season and deserve every accolade one can bestow on them. They have earned your support as we rebuild Kirkby to where they belong.

DJH.

Pictures are courtesy of Tim Hancock