Sports Reports

Swimming

KGS swim squad (pictured above) travelled to QEGS Blackburn to compete in their annual Bridges Baton Swim Championships. Against top opposition the swimmers took to the pool in style producing some outstanding individual performances in all age groups. 

At the half way point of the gala KGS were in first place, closely followed by St Edwards College, Liverpool. Other opponents included QEGS, Audenshaw, Hutton Grammar and Oldham Hulme Grammar School.

At the half way point it was time to turn attention to the double point relays. Seamless starts, turns, changeovers and finishes served KGS well. The U12 team won their 4x50 freestyle relay as did the U13, 14 and 15 teams with the seniors finishing a very creditable 3rd. 

The final result saw KGS take the trophy for the first time since the gala started in 1990 - an impressive achievement for a strong KGS swim team! 

Well done to all our swimmers! 

Hockey

1st XI v Millfield School

The 1st XI travelled to Millfield School, Somerset last week for their annual friendly fixture. The match was high in intensity from the start with both teams wanting to display attacking hockey. The ball travelled quickly from end to end with great link-up play between Marsh, Merrick and Hartley-Smith. With Tomes working hard at right midfield, gaps started to open setting Cole and Margerison through on goal. At half time the score stood at 0-0 with all to play for. 

Soon into the second half, a penalty corner strike from Cole was deflected by the midfield goalkeeper, unfortunately into the eye of integral central defender, Marsh. With Marsh now off the pitch, Jones got the opportunity to shine against this top side. 

Merrick converted from the next penalty corner before Millfield got back to take the score to 1-1. 

KGS continued to press hard resulting in great play from Schofield opening up space for Hartley-Smith to take the final goal of the game. It was a great 2-1 victory for a talented KGS side. 

The KGS girls now look forward to continued hard work in training in preparation for their first EH Tier 1 match vs Repton School (A) in November. 

2nd XI v Millfield 

The team started with a great positive mind-set, working well as a team all over the pitch. Alexa forced the Millfield goalkeeper to make an early save with a fantastic lifted shot. KGS continued to build on this play with some excellent pressure from the forward midfield players. Millfield then had a lot of the attacking play just before half time but KGS' defence of Eva, Millie, Rebecca, Zara, Georgia and Lily were solid and worked well as a unit. A great strike from a Millfield forward meant that KGS went into half time 0-1 down.

Again, in the second half, KGS had many breakaway chances from Alicia, Eva and Alexa, as well as Phoebe, Martha, Maisie and Louisa in midfield. Unfortunately, Millfield converted another chance and KGS were 0-2 down. Despite the losing score line, this was one of the best performances the 2nd XI have shown to date. Every player should be proud of their performance against a very strong opposition. Special mention to Louisa and Millie who were players of the game. 

KGS v Austin Friars

U15s

On Saturday 8 October, the KGS U15 team took on Austin Friars. The girls started off well dominating the game by using good communication and simple hockey. In the first half KGS managed to keep the ball in the attacking half with some great passing and runs from their midfield and attackers allowing Jessica Jennings to score the first goal. KGS then received a short corner where Freya Peet hit the ball home. Some more great hockey and attacking play led Nat Smith to score another 2 goals making the score 4-0 in the first half. 

In the second half KGS continued the way they had started, winning every 50/50 ball and keeping possession. Eleanor Smith and Jessica Jennings provided lots of attacking opportunities which allowed a further 2 goals to be scored, one by Nat Smith which gave her a hat-trick and another from Lola Cooper. The girls started to get tired near the end of the game and therefore used their skill to pass the ball around and create more opportunities for the attack - allowing a final goal to be scored by Amelia Sharpe. The final score was 7-0 to KGS. Player of the match chosen by the opposition was Freya Peet. 

U14s 

KGS had a tough battle at the start of the game, to keep everything away from playing down the middle of the pitch. KGS were able to keep possession, moving the ball down both wings and some great runs were seen from Raia and Tilly. KGS worked their way up to the attacking D multiple times, resulting in shots at goals. Unfortunately KGS' attempts were unsuccessful and hit the post more than once. 

In the second half, the girls continued to work hard on and off the ball, getting into positions to set the press and working with supportive play up the pitch. This allowed KGS to have a fiery shot at goal from Emily to put KGS ahead. The girls had to come back from quick breaks as Austin Friars put KGS’ defence to the test. However, from a break, KGS had another great goal from Alice that put the score line to 2-0 to secure the win. 

U13s

The U13s overcame a tough first half to win comfortably at Austin Friars. The early minutes of the game were well contested with both teams battling for possession in the tackle. KGS took a 2-0 lead in the middle of the half with goals from Holly Schofield and Hermione Edwards. Austin Friars hit back, thanks to a direct run that cut through the KGS defence and left Philippa Hancock unprotected. KGS hit back just before half time as Hollie Bailey forced the ball home after a rebound at a short corner. Alys Williams provided a constant attacking threat from right back and created numerous chances for the forwards at the back post. 

In the second half, KGS turned up the pressure at tempo. Sophia Gough and Lucie Wilson worked well in defence and gave a strong platform for the team to attack from. Sophia Melling scored a back post tap in after good work down the right wing. Abbie Ely scored twice in her first game for the A team and Hollie Bailey added her second of the game to leave KGS with a 7-1 win. 

U12s 

The girls set out with fire in their bellies and worked hard for each other throughout the game. Hollie started the game off with a quick goal and this set the precedence for the game. The girls worked up the wings, accelerating with speed, resulting in 3 more goals in the first half scored by Hollie, Imi and Maddie. 

In the second half, the girls continued to work hard and had lots of fun. Maddie had a great start with another two goals. Austin Friars had a few breaks but KGS kept a solid defenc and finished the game with another two goals scored by Birdie and Imi. A great 7-0 win for the girls.

Rugby

KGS' 1st XV played Northampton Boys School at Loughborough University and ran comfortable 53-5 winners. On the score sheet in the first half were Darren Low ,Morgan Dryhurst-Jones and Osian Roberts as KGS went into half time with a 22-5 lead. The second half was dominated by Kirkham with further tries from Sam Lewtas, Harry Reay, Archie Dowds and another for Osian Roberts for a full 53-5 win.

KGS v Manchester Grammar School - Saturday 8 October 2022

The U15s came out winners against a determined Manchester Grammar School at the weekend. KGS had the chance to show their skills on the first team pitch. The game started scrappily with both teams dropping passes due to strong winds. However, Kirkham found their stride in the second half and began playing as a strong unit. Kirkham's defence was also air-tight which meant MGS could never get themselves into the game. With several key players rested for next week's cup game, this was a strong result for the boys. It was a good opportunity for the team to put themselves forward for the National Cup team next Wednesday where the U15s face QEGS Wakefield.

Kirkham 2nd XV v The Manchester Grammar School 1st XV

Kirkham started well with a try from scrum half Oliver Greenwood after two minutes. Greenwood took advantage of space around the ruck and sprinted in from thirty meters out. Archie Barbour added the conversion. Manchester applied pressure, moving the ball well to the wider channels, however the KGS defence remained solid throughout. Kirkham kicked a penalty to the corner and then scored a catch and drive from the lineout with hooker Oscar Considine touching down for Kirkham. Half time score 12-0 to Kirkham.

Manchester started the second half with plenty of territory and possession, but the KGS defence was functioning well and as a result very hard to break down. Following a turnover deep in the KGS half, outside centre Aiden Hayward kicked long for Barbour to chase, Barbour picked up about ten meters our and flicked a pass to Hayward who was close in support to score Kirkham's third try, successfully converted by Barbour. However, it was Kirkham's kick chase that became the weak link later in the game, which allowed Manchester into the KGS twenty-two far too easily. Kirkham started to tire from the constant attack from MGS and it wasn’t long before they managed to cross the line for the first time. Manchester scored again just before the final whistle in what was a very entertaining game for the spectators. Final score, 17-12 to Kirkham.