Consistency lets Kirkby down

A warm welcome back to Underley Park for Burnage RUFC players and supporters on a sun drenched Saturday afternoon with a nip in the air.
Burnage commenced proceedings from the Clubhouse end and from the off, Kirkby took the game to their opponents with good attacking moves and within the first 7 minutes drew a penalty 30 yards out which Lawson converted to put the home side 3 nil up. From the restart the home side pressed again into their opponents half with good work by the forwards before losing the ball in a ruck giving the Burnage number 10 the opportunity to pass along the back line to their wing who sprinted down field. Whilst Kirkby chased, he was not to be denied a try in the corner to put them in the lead at 3-5. Kirkby again dominated with quick ball and drew two penalties before a blind side move enabled Bradshaw to score following a scrum for the home sides first try. The conversion missed but put Kirkby back in the lead at 8-5 after 25 minutes. The home side continued to dominate but against the run of play the visitors wing scored his second try to regain the lead at 8-10. Kirkby needed to make their tackles count as Burnage realised that their big backs could run through their opposition. Whilst Kirkby forwards were holding Burnage and spearheading the attack through Nicholson and Bradshaw, missed chances gave ground back to Burnage who who were awarded a penalty 25 yards out to increase the score line to 8-13. From the restart Kirkby pack attacked and with good quick handling and forward pressure gave Lancaster the opportunity to score and level-up the board to 13 points all with 2 minutes of the half remaining. From the kick off the visitors gathered the ball and ran through the home sides defence to take the lead at half time 13-18. The half belonged to Kirkby but not the score line.
As the second half started, Kirkby again took play into their opponents half and after 10 minutes of play were awarded a penalty 25 yards out which Lawson slotted between the posts to reduce the deficit to 2 points. The visitors came back strongly with good play that Kirkby didn’t have an answer to as their fourth try took them to a 9 point lead at 16-25.
Further pressure by Burnage tested the Kirkby defence until a knock on gave Kirkby the put-in and time to clear their line up field. The next incident seemed a little bizarre as Briggs at 5 foot 3 was yellow carded for a high tackle on one of the opposing 6 foot 3 backs. Kirkby down to 14 with their captain missing, still took the game to the opposition but good defence kept the home side at bay. From a scrum the opposing back line fed the ball and missed tackles by Kirkby allowed two tries to be conceded in the space of two minutes which left the home side trailing 16-37. Briggs back on the field of play brought Kirkby back to attacking ways as the forwards powered over the oppositions line only to have the try disallowed as having run into his own man prior to touch down. With 15 minutes of the half remaining, an attack by Burnage drew a penalty for a high tackle by Little and the second yellow card was shown. The 14 men of Kirkby couldn’t stop two further tries from the opposition as the clock wound down to full time giving a final score of 16-49. This a score line that did not reflect the flow of the game and again Kirkby came out the loser.
Our guys are playing some good rugby but without the rewards and sloppy tackling lets them down. Next week we travel down to Birkenhead Park who are leading the league table, so another tough game.

DJH