16 September 2017
KGS 2nd XV vs Wirral GS 2nd XV
WIRRAL GS 50 KIRKHAM 0
This match was a very testing one for a largely under 16 team playing against older boys from Wirral who were bigger and physically stronger than Kirkham. The home side ran the ball quickly to their wings which Kirkham found hard to nullify after losing the ball in contact too often. When Kirkham did attack and put some phases together they looked organized but ultimately they could not cope with the power of the Wirral squad. Kirkham defended with heart but Wirral managed to release the ball swiftly to runners coming through to score.
KGS U15 vs Wirral GS U15
In a fiercely contested game the U15s narrowly went down 21-15 to a committed Wirral side at home.
Kirkham trailed 7-5 at the break and this could have been much more had it not been for some stern and resolute defence from the team. In particular, strong one on one tackling from Aaron Pope and persistent line speed from Rhys Dodd certainly did not go unnoticed in the first half. Going forward in attack, members of the Kirkham backline including Macaulay, Carson, Page, Pope and Choi all looked threatening with ball in hand but, as was the story of the game, not all chances were converted. This in turn allowed the visitors to remain in touch despite Kirkham having opened the scoring.
During the second half, Kirkham became their own worst enemies committing penalty after penalty and gifting the opposition vital territory deep in their half. Twice Kirkham were stung with a well-executed five meter catch and drive by the visitors. Late on in the game Kirkham created several chances to draw level and potentially go ahead but poor decision making on more than one occasion gifted the ball back to the visitors in their own half after yet again displays of hard fought tackling and resilience.
At the final whistle a number of positives were taken from the game and players remained positive about the next fixture in the season.
KGS U14 vs Wirral GS U14
LOST 38-10
Wirral dominated the first half and caused the Kirkham back line all sorts of problems in defence. Kirkham put thought into their defensive play in the second half and managed to slow down the Wirral score board. In the later stages of the game it was pleasing to see Kirkham put together two sequences of play from set piece situations that resulted in tries. The try scorers were Joe Medcalfe and Tobias Parkinson.