Semi Final Cup Victory for Colts

The Junior Colts put on an excellent team performance with the whole squad playing their part in a memorable semi final performance against Caldy Rugby Club. A performance that secured our Colts a place in the Final vs Widnes RUFC at Lymm Rugby Club on the 28th April.
Kicking off towards town, Caldy had the upper hand in the early exchanges, scoring in the corner to go 5-0 up (missed conversion). Kirkby knew they would have to dig deep to reach the final.
Kirkby Lonsdale 0-5 Caldy. Kirkby and Caldy spent the next section of the game around the halfway line passing well, rucking well with both teams occasionally getting into the opponents 22 only to be repelled by some excellent defending. It felt like Kirkby were starting to get on top both in set plays and in the open, moving the ball both left and right through the hands of the backs and with the forwards taking it turns with some great carries. Such was their work rate, it seemed like Kirkby had more players on the pitch. As well as replying Caldy’s efforts to score, Kirkby were a threat across the pitch. Eddie Deighton made a great break picking up what looked like an impossible ball before being brought to the ground, Will Lancaster and Scott Gardner-Bonsall were quick to secure the ball, Kirkby recycled and space opened for Theo Stephenson to break the first, second and third attempt to thwart him scoring under the posts, a fantastic try. Tommy Scanlan converting. Kirkby Lonsdale 7-5 Caldy.
This spurred on Kirkby, who were now winning some great turnovers, Seth Webster and Robbie Aiken both winning great ball against the odds and in the process increased Kirkby’s intensity across the pitch. Isa Muschamp won a great turnover in a promising position, Lewis Sedgwick and Myles Stainton taking it in turn with powerful carries before releasing the backs and Liam Barr Finishing in the corner, a great Team Try.
Kirkby Lonsdale 12-5 Caldy. Kirkby kept applying the pressure and forced a handling area just outside Caldy’s 22. Kirkby’s scrum had been solid all game and duly delivered, providing the perfect platform to move the ball though the backs before offloading to Tom Breaks moving at full speed to score Kirkby’s third try of the half.
Kirkby Lonsdale 17-5 Caldy. Caldy were determined to score before the break and despite some excellent defensive work, Caldy broke the line scored and converted ending the half Kirkby Lonsdale 17-12 Caldy.
The second half brought more great rugby from two determined teams. In such a tight game, it’s never easy coming on as a replacement. Especially when you are coming on to replace someone who had such a tremendous game, especially in a semi final where everything was in the balance. On came Jamie Dixon, Ben Dugdale, Jake Tilburn, George Hopley, Joe Turner & Jameson Lawson. It was seamless. All picking up where the others left off, in attack and in defence, in set and open play. As with the first half, there was a period of the game where the teams essentially cancelled each other out, both up for the challenge. Eventually Kirkby started building a bit more momentum with Tommy Scanlan and Jasper Cummins mixing it up and the new players providing a different threat. Eventually, with Caldy’s defence stretched, Zack Dodds broke the line and despite their best efforts Caldy could not stop him for scoring a great try from 40 metres out. Kirkby Lonsdale 22-12 Caldy. There then followed an excellent defensive display by Kirkby Lonsdale as they held Caldy up or out for what felt like an eternity. Some powerful carries by Jake Tilburn, Jonathan Broadbent & Jamie Dixon amongst others gave some respite. However it was down to the whole team, working as a team, to keep Caldy out. A terrific performance to earn a deserved trip to Lymm.
Final score, Kirkby Lonsdale 22-12 Caldy.
Pictures courtesy of Robin Ree