8 May 2024
Kirkham 1st XV v Nico Malan, South Africa
Wilderklawer Festival 2 May 2024
WON 45-22
Kirkham faced Nico Malan from the Eastern Cape in the first of two fixtures at the Wilderklawer festival. Kirkham impressed from the start with their clinical set piece play and ambition to move the ball. Strong carries from Docherty and Millachip put Kirkham on the front foot and allowed fly half Lewtas to move the ball wide to Greenwood, who made the final pass for Krippner to score in the corner. Lewtas converted the goal from the touch line. Kirkham No.8 Loggenberg was starting to impress with strong ball carrying and dominant tackles. Hooker Considine was throwing the ball accurately, allowing Whitton and Gilmore to dominate the lineout, however following Kirkham's early score, Nico Malan had stepped up in defence and managed to contain Kirkham for the next fifteen minutes. Nico Malan kicked a penalty to get some points on the board, but Kirkham responded straight from the restart with Krippner chasing and regaining the ball to score his second try. Successfully converted by Lewtas. Kirkham continued to defend well and keep Nico Malan well away from their line. Kirkham soon scored again from a catch and drive lineout, with Loggenberg touching down and Lewtas adding the extras. Centres Durcan and Firth were strong in defence, allowing no way through for Nico Malan. Nico Malan were awarded a penalty in Kirkham's 22 and they took a tap and enjoyed success from setting up a maul and drove over to score their first try. Kirkham's full back Cook was having a great game managing the back field and kicking to space easily with Nico Malan not managing their back field so well. Kirkham's next try came from Gilmore who chased one of Cook's kicks and regained the ball after a fortunate bounce. Successfully converted. Nico Malan enjoyed some fortune and caught Kirkham off guard following the restart and scored their second try.
Kirkham made a few changes before half time. Kelly coming on to give Millachip a breather and props Lyster and Jackson replaced Amr and Docherty whilst Wigglesworth replaced Gilmore. The impact was instant with a Kelly busting away from a strong Kirkham maul to score. Half time score 33-17.
Kirkham made more changes at half time bringing scrum half Hulse on for Tomlinson and Millachip back on for Loggenberg who had had a fine first half and was eventually awarded player of the match.
As you would expect, the twenty six degree heat had tired both teams out and the scoring rate slowed down somewhat. However, Kelly scored a second from the base of the scrum and Firth touched down on the wing, successfully converted by Hulse, taking the score to 45-17. Denn replaced Durcan, Hulse moved to fly half, replacing Lewtas, Tomlinson returned to scrum half and Jack Austin enjoyed some time in the back row, replacing Kelly. Nico Malan scored a late try in a game that was now already won. Final score 45-22 to Kirkham.
Girls Tennis vs Bolton School
The girls played some great tennis against some strong Bolton players. The U12 team led the way with Townley and Branthwaite playing some great tennis. The Butler-Reid twins worked well demonstrating some excellent serving.
The U13 squad followed suit with some great rallying and finishing shots at the net whilst the U14 squad had a battle on their hands. Munro, Roberts and Bradley fought hard in the singles matches winning some matches but conceding others. In the doubles matches, all players got the opportunity to play with more than one partner allowing their game to develop throughout. An overall win for KGS once the results were recorded and a promising start to the tennis season.
U18 Girls tennis vs Alderely Edge School for Girls – National Aberdare Cup
This was the first outing for our U18 squad in their national pursuit. They have qualified for National Finals 3 years running and so it was important that they got off to a positive start. Tinley led by example finishing off her singles matches 6-1, 6-1. Smedley won her singles in a closer fought match whilst Pilkington and Munro conceded. In the doubles, it was all to play for as the two teams were tying after the singles matches. Tinsley and Smedley won their doubles but unfortunately pair number two were defeated in a tight match. 2-2 after the doubles meant the match went to a tie break shoot out! KGS played some excellent tennis coming away 10-1 winners – they now progress to the next round.
Kirkham Grammar Junior, Infant and Pre-School
Wednesday 17 April 2024
KGJS U11 Rounders v Rossall
On Wednesday 17 April Our U11 Girls took part in their first summer fixture hosting Rossall. The team was excited for their first match and took to the field to bat first. The team demonstrated some excellent batting skills often getting to second base scoring half a rounder. With a quick two bat each innings it was time for Kirkham to field Addison displayed consistent bowling skills and the team communicated well to field the ball quickly. The team got to play two games ensuring plenty of batting with Ellery and Pineda striking the ball well. The team got to field in a variety of different positions with Ainsworth playing well at backstop. Townsend and Norcross worked well together to field the ball to the base players.
Well, played Girls
Wednesday 17 April 2024
KGJS U11 Cricket v Rossall
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Wednesday 24 April 2024
U11 Boys Cricket V Sedbergh
Due to the wet weather this year, many cricket fixtures in the local area have had to be cancelled or postponed. At Kirkham Grammar School we wanted to ensure that some fixtures were able to take place so we booked the Mill Farm hockey pitch to play some soft ball cricket, much to delight of our pupils and the and the opposition schools we faced.
Over the last two Wednesdays the J3 and J4 boys have taken part in four cricket fixtures at Mill Farm. The first versus Rossall and the second Vs Sedbergh.
In the first two fixtures, all of the J4 boys took part and enjoyed the experience of playing a competitive game of cricket. For some pupils it was their first ever competitive match. Both matches were very evenly balanced and there was some fine batting and bowling on display. Rossall just sneaked the win in the matches, due to some very good fielding and some over enthusiastic batting and running on our behalf.
In the two games against Sedbergh, we selected a group of J3 and J4 boys who have shown a keen interest in cricket through attending lunchtime and after school clubs. Although the boys showed improvements from their first game, they came up against some very good cricketers in the Sedbergh team. With the ball, Kirkham put on a fantastic display, limiting a number of opposition players from scoring runs. When it was time to bat, the boys played some fine shots, but Sedbergh's bowlers were fast and accurate and managed to take a number of wickets which gave them the edge.
Well done to all of the boys who took part.
Friday 26 April 2024
KGJS U9s Netball: U9 AJIS BEE Netball Tournament
On Friday 26 April Our J2 girls travelled to Alderley Edge for Girls School to take part in U9 AJIS BEE Netball Tournament. BEE Netball requires players to rotate playing positions to ensure all players get to experience attacking and defending positions. The team played in 6 games giving the girls plenty of game experience. The team played some lovely netball showing their determinations and passing skills to progress the ball up the court. Well, done to James and Rhodes our top goal scorers.
Wednesday 1st May 2024
AJIS Cross Country 2024
On Wednesday 1 May 2024 KGJS Cross Country team travelled to Rossall to compete in The AJIS Cross Country. The event had been previously cancelled in September due to poor weather conditions but May brought kinder weather and the team were eager to go. The event is spilt into four race categories year 5 boys, year 6 boys, year 5 girls and year 6 girls. The challenging Rossall course is just over a mile in distance with a fast start and open costal route. Our year 5 girls team won the event.
Congratulations to our Year 5 girls who won their event (Millie O’Mahoney Phillipa Pearson, Paloma Thompson, Clara Moore, Techari Taylor, Xaviere Trend and Sofia Paterson) and to William Coward who finished 2nd in the year 6 boys race.
All our runners applied themselves throughout the course, showing their determination to cross the finish line. With over 20 independent schools and 140 runners in each race all our pupils certainly performed well.
Tuesday 30th April 2024
U8/U9 Cricket Vs St Mary's Hall
On Tuesday 30 April the J1 and J2 boys took part in their first cricket fixtures of the season versus St Mary's Hall. The boys have been practicing hard in lunchtime and after school clubs and have shown great progress in there batting and overarm bowling, which showed in the fixture.
Two fixtures were played on the day and the pupils from both year groups showed tremendous accuracy with their bowling, taking a number of wickets and giving away very few runs. When batting, the teams were keen to get runs and managed to gain high scores through excellent shots and intelligent running between the wickets.
At the end of the games, both teams were extremely happy with their performances and well-earned victories.