11 January 2023
Saturday 7 January 2023
U12A v Stockport Grammar School
The girls worked hard and attacked well in the first few minutes. Some errors in defence resulted in the team being punished by Stockport converting two good goals. KGS fought hard to get back into the game creating various chances on goal. At half time the score was 3-1 with all to play for.
KGS continued to play some great hockey which resulted in a further two goals being scored to leave the final score at 3-3 at the full time whistle.
U12B v Stockport Grammar School
KGS maintained most of the possession within the first half and had ample opportunities through on goal. At half time the score stood at 0-0.
In the second half, KGS continued to attack playing some excellent hockey. It wasn’t long before the first goal was scored after the ball was run into the 'D' by the KGS forward. A further 3 goals were converted to finish the game with a 4-0 victory.
U13A v Stockport Grammar School
A slow start resulted in KGS going 0-1 down early on in the game. The girls then began to play and create chances up front to convert. It was only a matter of time before KGS equalised with a well- worked goal. Further goals were converted throughout the game leaving the final score at 6-2 to Kirkham Grammar School.
U13B v Stockport Grammar School
The B team dominated from the starting whistle, maintaining possession throughout most of the first half. Various attacking runs resulted in shots on goal with 3 great goals being converted. The second half saw the team convert a further 4 chances to leave the final score at 7-0. A great team performance!
U14s v Stockport Grammar School
KGS' girls kept possession from the start, working the ball up the pitch. It was an end to end game with multiple shots on goal and short corners, however, KGS remained unsuccessful. Stockport had a break, catching KGS on the back foot and went through to score. The KGS girls continued to work hard but were not able to score, finishing the game with a 1-nil loss.
U15s v Stockport Grammar School
KGS worked hard from the start whistle moving the ball around the pitch and progressing forward. The girls had an amazing game working together as a team, moving the ball up both wings starting from the back and continuing to move forward. The ball was moved on quickly into space to allow the forwards to move onto the ball with nonstop work and some great breaks developing in 4 goals. The final score was a 4-1 win with goals from JJ, Lola and Natalie.
Swimming
This weekend, Kirkham Grammar School sisters, Grace and Scarlett (pictured right), competed in the 'Burnley Bobcats Gala' in a bid to qualify for the 2023 Lancashire Championships. The gala saw First Year pupil, Grace, compete in three races, winning silver in the 50m breaststroke and bronze medals in the 100m breaststroke and 50m backstroke to successfully qualify for the Lancashire Championship in all three disciplines. Having already qualified for the 50m,100m and 200m freestyle, these latest achievements mean, that in total, Grace will participate in six races at the Lancashire Championship. Older sister and Fourth Year pupil, Scarlett, has also qualified to compete at the 2023 Lancashire Championships in three events: 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke.
First Year pupil, Imi (pictured left), also competed at the same event this weekend in the 200m freestyle, 50m backstroke and the 200m backstroke. Imi won gold in the 200m backstroke and achieved the qualifying time for the Lancashire Championship.
Good luck at the Lancashire Championships taking place in Liverpool next month!
U15 Rugby v Old Swinford Hospital (pictured top)
The Under 15s rugby team travelled to Old Swinford Hospital for the first game after the Christmas break. Kirkham put the pressure on from the starting whistle causing upset for the opposition. The first two tries came through Josh Sumner, both converted by Jack Wilsdon. Both tries were a result of good defending, speed and agility from Cieran Milligan, Lewis Simpson, Josh Sumner, Anton Gildea and Will Kelso. The next try came through Charlie Bray, which was unconverted. Old Swinfords first try came through sleeping defenders on the blindside and their second try was well-worked from driving line out and quick cans from the backs (10-19). Kirkham scored just before half-time, through Charlie Bray.
The second half broke more tries for the Kirkham team and one more for old Swinford Hospital. The first try of the half was a well-worked team try finished by Louis Simpson, which started from deep inside Kirkham's own 22. A great solo try came from Rowan Edwards who caught a missed penalty kick and ran the try in from deep inside his own half. Anton Gildea was next on the scoring list as he manipulated the defenders after some forward ball from individuals, Archie Blackburn, Freddie Stott and Will Prior - the try was converted by Cieran Milligan. Kirkham's last try came again from deep inside their own half from a great forward running line from Tom Carey. The ball was then recycled to Will Kelso who weaved in and out of defenders to score. Old Swinford Hospital scored the final try of the game where they caught the blind side sleeping again.
U14 Rugby v Old Swinford Hospital
KGS U14s went down narrowly in a gripping encounter, the quality of the game belied the conditions with both teams coping well with the mud, wet and cold.
After an excellent warm up, KGS started strongly with Mkpadi, Davies, Dawson-Gerrard and Stafford setting the tone with strong carries, and Parkinson, T. Barton and Hill leading a physical defensive line. The OS defence was also strong and proved difficult to break down and, after a period of pressure, they worked their way over the line for a converted try. KGS finished the half as they had started it, but this time with the forwards working well together to make the hard yards which enabled Twose, Black and Yates to release Shaw who outstripped the cover to score under the posts on the stroke of half time to make it seven all.
The second half continued in the same vein with both sides battling hard for territory. The KGS bench of H Barton, Fuller, Cunningham and Uphill all deserve great credit for the energy and determination they brought to the contest. With time running out, Yates stepped up to dissect the posts with an excellent penalty from 30 metres.
With just 5 minutes to play, the OS centre intercepted on half way, but Uket with an outstanding cover tackle supported by Virdee appeared to save the day. A knock on, as they tried to clear their lines, allowed OS to score making it 14-10 with 2 minutes remaining. KGS showed great character throwing everything at OS but with the deteriorating conditions were unable to force a winning score.
Although losing, this was without doubt their best performance of the season with all 19 players making significant contributions, which will hopefully be a bench mark for the remaining fixtures and inspire a successful finish to the season.
Thank you to all the boys involved in Saturday's game, and also to the parents that made the trip down to support.
U13 Boys Hockey v AKS Lytham
On Monday 9 January, the Second Year boys played their first hockey fixture of 2023 against local school AKS, Lytham. The A team took a while to find their flow, with AKS proving to be tough opposition to break down. However, just before half time, Jack Gillet scored for Kirkham and this gave the boys confidence going into the second half. Kirkham scored a second at the start of the half, again it was Gillet who was on target. AKS responded and looked like they were on a comeback, however Kirkham managed to secure possession again and Gillet achieved his hat trick. Kirkham sealed the win with a final goal from Harry Walls. Final score 4-1 to Kirkham.
The B team found themselves in a very tough encounter and went down 1-0 in the first half. AKS enjoyed lots of possession in the first half, although credit should be given to the Kirkham goal keeper, Tom Medhurst, for keeping the score down. In the second half, Kirkham eventually wore AKS down and were rewarded with a goal of their own from Dylan Burrows. Final score 1-1.