A trip out West, before the Christmas break

To complete the first half of the season, although we only play 19 games in total, so confusing when there are 14 teams in the league, but hey ho!! a tough trip out to Whitehaven completes the fixtures before Christmas. Never going to be easy and the home team buoyant after their victory at home to early league leaders Carlisle. Kirkby played into the strong end to end wind first half, and soon found themselves down to a converted try when a chip over bounced kindly for the home team, this was converted from under the posts. Kirkby played well into the wind, and had a couple of opportunities to score but the last pass not going to hand. Just before half time, Whitehaven increased their lead with a penalty to turn around 10 0 up. So with the strong wind behind them, Kirkby kicked to play the game in the home 22, and a try was scored wide out by Henry Thompson, not converted and then a further try scored by skipper Briggs, with Stewart most unlike him missing another conversion. However Kirkby were now gaining the ascendency and were inserting a lot of pressure on the home line. Two penalties by Stewart increased the lead, before a further try by Oates, converted by Stewart, and a late try scored by Sam Parkinson in the dark, mellee. Final score 10 - 30. Carlisle lost at Hawcoat Park, who are unbeaten at the top of the league, although Carlisle and ourselves are hot on their heels. We travel to Barrow to play Hawcoat Park on 17 January.
Pictures courtesy of Robin Ree, who braved the elements.