Kirkby run out of time

Kirkby return to Varley Park in this return match against Burnage who are lying in the top half of the league. Reid, Walker and Nicholson remain injured with Bamforth doing a Stirling job at scrum half with Cal Little returning from injury.
Burnage commence proceedings on their 4G pitch with Kirkby taking the game up field but lost the ball in the ruck for holding on. The home side took play down to within 10 yards of the try line and from the line out their forwards drove over for the first score of the match. Converted they were 7 points up with only 5 minutes gone. The next 10 minutes saw both sides having chances until a move by Kirkby backs led to a ruck 10 yards out and their pack did the necessary to equal the score as Kwiczor emerged with the ball and Terry provided the kick. As has happened so often in the past, Kirkby lost the ball and the home side capitalised with a converted try only 3 minutes later, 14-7. Play moved from try line to try line with good defence on both sides. With 10 minutes of the half remaining a high tackle by Kirkby gave Burnage the opportunity for a line out on the visitors 5 yard line from which the home side scored in the corner to increase their lead to 14 points. Determination by the Kirkby 15 took play back to the oppositions try line and the forwards went over again with Armistead emerging with the ball. Terry again converted, 21-14. The next 10 minutes saw great defence from the visitors as the home spectators looked for a further try. A head on head tackle by Burnage number 4 saw a yellow card awarded as the half time whistle blew.
Restart by Kirkby saw the first 5 minutes with errors on both sides but a high tackle gave Kirkby a penalty and the trusted boot of Terry saw the gap reduced to 4 points. Play moved back and forth but 15 minutes into the half the Burnage winger dodged tackles to give a solo run through the defensive line and offload to their stand off who scored under the posts and give them an 11 point cushion. Back came the visitors but 10 minutes later another run by the winger gave the home side a try that moved the score to 35-17. The spirit of Kirkby did not waiver as they took control of the game and from a line out the pack headed for another try but an infringement by Burnage number 7 saw him yellow carded and the referee ran to the posts and awarded a penalty try. 35-24. The visitors tails were up and only desperate defence kept Kirkby out. As full time approached Kirkby headed for a try and the 8 forwards went over for their fourth try to bring the score to 35-31 as the whistle blew. A second half win by Kirkby.
A determined and spirited performance by Kirkby earned them 2 points.
Next week see the lads travel to Douglas for the postponed game earlier in the season. A must win game.

DJH

Photographs courtesy of Robin Ree