Highs and Lows for Kirkby

A packed Clubhouse welcomed Mike Latham, Chairman of Leigh Leopards Rugby League Club, who brought along the Rugby League Challenge Cup Trophy following their victory at Wembley Stadium. He was accompanied by Brian Wood who some may remember from when he played at Kirkby a few (cough) years ago. They enjoyed lunch with some of our sponsors prior to Kirkby’s match against Whitchurch. Over recent years Leigh have had a days training at Underley Park where they relax and are fed by our resident chef, Pete Kyles.

On to todays game where we welcomed Whitchurch RUFC to Underley Park for the first time as they moved from Midlands Division following the reshuffle of the leagues.
Kirkby kicked off from the Clubhouse end, gathered the ball and with quick hands passed out to Charlie Oats who ran in the first try of the match under the posts. Ben Lawson converted and the home side led 7-0 within the first few minutes. Somewhat shaken Whitchurch restarted and attacked through their forwards drawing a scrum 10 yards out from Kirkby’s line. Their heavy pack wheeled the scrum and to everyone’s surprise the referee awarded a penalty try under the posts. 7-7. Apparently an accidental kick forward by a Kirkby boot was deemed by Mr Denvir as deliberate. Somewhat harsh one would say. Unperturbed, Kirkby came back and good handling down the middle of the field by the backs saw Lawson score and then add the two points to take the new electronic score board to 14-7 after 15 minutes. The remainder of the half saw attacks by both sides especially Whitchurch who pressed but the Kirkby defence held. Some concern was expressed by the home spectators as every scrum saw the visitors prop drive sideways into the scrum resulting in a wheeling motion, but Mr Denvir continued to penalise the home side. Half time came without any further score.

Whitchurch started the second half and were on the attack. From a line-out they were awarded a scrum 10 yards out. Their heavy pack drove forward and scored which was converted to level the score after 5 minutes. The visitors gathered and fed the ball to their stand off whose boot found touch down field. Kirkby lost the line-out ball and as the opposition fed their backs, Nikora Brown tried to intercept the pass but knocked on However the referee saw it as a deliberate action and went for his yellow card. Down to 14 men Kirkby were under pressure but their defence held. An attack by the home side saw a penalty given 25 yards out and the boot of Lawson made it count to give a slender 3 point lead. From the restart the visitors were looking to replicate their last try and their forwards continued to dominate and scored a further try. Again converted, their deficit reversed to a lead of 4 points with 20 minutes of the half remaining. The spirit of the Kirkby lads showed through as they looked for a winning try but tempers were lost as their attack was halted with the Whitchurch number 8 holding onto Bradshaw who retaliated and both left the field of play with yellow cards. Scrum given in favour of the visitors with a resultant penalty. A further 3 points to Whitchurch gave them a 7 point lead. As time was running out for Kirkby, they attacked and a Johnny Sexton cross field kick for Harry Wilson on the wing was missed by the Whitchurch wing and a race for for the ball by their full back resulted in Wilson touching down but the referee had the last say as he gave a 5 yard scrum. Won by the visitors, their stand off kicked the ball out of play to hear the whistle go for full time.
A disappointing result for Kirkby after a hard fought game but they continue to display some exciting rugby and the results should come in the second half of the season.
No game next week due to the World Cup Final but the lads are away on the 4th of November with the Development Squad playing at home against Southport 2nds.
Remember to come to the Bonfire night and Firework display on the 5th of November. Also look out for the Cup match against Upper Eden towards the end of November.

DJH