2 September 2024
Rugby
Kirkham Grammar School 1st XV v Wirral Grammar
Saturday 7th September
Won 64-7
On the opening weekend of the season, the touch line was busy with many spectators eager to see this year's new look first team, consisting of nine starting debutantes. The 1st XV pitch was in pristine condition and the players were raring to go. Both sides made errors in the opening stages of the game, showing nerves and indecision. However, Kirkham eventually established some quality field position and following some nifty work at the base of the scrum from No.8 Sheldon and a smart set play, Wilson scored Kirkham's first try of the season. Following the shaky start, Kirkham began to get into a bit of a flow, scoring five unanswered tries through Guthrie, Marsh, Ferguson (2) and Gildea. Conversions were kicked by Glue (2), Wilson (1) and skipper Firth (2). Half time score 40-0 to Kirkham. Kirkham made nine changes at half-time and were now playing up the hill. The scoreboard slowed down a little and Wirral managed to get their attack going. Kirkham scored three further tries through Mathauda, Neill and Guthrie. All converted by Neill. Wirral were overjoyed to avoid being nilled and were rewarded with a good try from their second half efforts. Final score 64-7.
Kirkham Grammar School 2nd XV vs Wirral 2nd XV
Saturday 7 September 2024
This weekend saw a fantastic start to Kirkham grammar rugby campaign with the 2nd team taking on Wirral GS. From the off, Kirkham showed their dominance with some strong carrying by the forwards which enabled the backs to get on the front foot. Milligan took his opportunity and put in a beautiful cross field kick, with pin point accuracy, allowing Musson to run in his first try for the season. Will prior managed to crash over exerting his physical prowess which he showed all game. Next up was new boy Wright, he finished off a brilliant run from Milligan and Millachip to make the score 19-0. Milligan was classy all game and scored a lovely individual try from broken field. Halliday was the next to cross the line after a strong catch and drive from the lineout. Both second rows had a big influence within the set piece steeling multiple opposition lineouts throughout the game meaning Kirkham could really get into their attacking shape. This brought the pace and power of Sumner into the game who managed to secure his hat-trick by the end of the game. Millachip, another new boy to the school, ran a brilliant line off a set piece scrum to fly through the gap, put into it by Captain Shuttleworth, and slip under the post just before half time. Kirkham continued to be dominant with Sumner gaining his hat trick and Craven coming off the bench to finish off a brilliant team try. Final score was 66-7 to the home team. Kirkham look forward to the next game away at St Ambrose this weekend.
Kirkham Grammar School U16 vs Wirral Grammar School U16
Saturday 7 September 2024
KGS Win 29-24
Kirkham Grammar Schools under 16's kicked off their season against a strong Wirral Grammar School squad. In what some may describe as perfect rugby conditions the team were out early to get prepped and run through last minute preparations. The game started very well with end to end rugby being played by both teams, the defence was strong by both teams until Ryan S finished a well worked team try that came through the structure that has been put into place during pre-season. Wirral did not let the pressure off where they attacked through a strong driving maul and pick & go which Kirkham struggled to defend which resulted in the Wirral scoring their first of the game (5-5). Just before half time Ryan S went over for his second of the game where he was able to find himself in space with 30 metres out, with some fancy footwork and powerful running he was able to breakthrough tackles to dot down. Kirkham were able to keep the Wirral out to finish the half 10-5 up. Wirral started the second half strong after receiving the kick-off. They added the pressure putting Kirkham on the back foot with some well worked team play. Some ill-discipline from the Kirkham players and Wirral opted to kick for touch where they powered their way over with their driving maul to lead for the first time in the game (10-12). Kirkham gained the ball back and put some phases together, with a big call from Oliver P to switch play to the blindside where he put on a display with a show & go he was soon in top gear trundling towards the try line from 50 metres out without the defence catching him (15-12). Ryan S finished a cross field kick to get his third of the game which was initiated and converted by Oliver Y (22-12). Wirral GS kept building pressure and moving the ball into the wider channels adding another score to the tally (22-17). Kirkham kicked deep off the kick off and added some relentless pressure in defence which resulted in Wirral opting to kick to get out of their 22, Callum S read this and got a charge down which he then ran after and dotted the ball between the posts again converted by Oliver Y (29-17). Wirral GS got a penalty and opted to touch which aided their strength of the driving maul. A well-executed maul resulted in a converted try to finish the game. The final score 29-24. Well done to all the boys involved and what a great start to the season. Thank you to all the parents that came to watch and to Wirral GS for the fixture. We look forward to the St Ambrose next Saturday.
Kirkham Grammar School U15s vs Wirral Grammar School
Saturday 7 September 2024
KGS Win 29-14
The U15s travelled to Wirral Grammar School which is a notorious place to play. The U15s dominated most of the first half despite getting on the wrong side of the referee and it took some slick handling from the backs to put in Paraskeva in to make it 5-0. Most of the play remained in the Wirral 22m, but KGS' inaccuracy and some good defence from the hosts saw it remain 5-0 at half time. At the resumption, KGS came out of the blocks quickly seeing Clarke beat 3 players to score under the posts and make it 12-0. Wirral not to be outdone, came back with a well taken try from their 12. However, KGS remained on the front foot and score 3 more tries, through Walls, Wright and Clarke with his second to all but end the game as a contest. Wirral finished the game well and score with the last play to end the game 29-14.
Kirkham Grammar School U13a vs Wirral Grammar School U13
Saturday 7 September 2024
KGS Win 25-15
In this combative encounter Kirkham ran out winners, but only after a second half full of grit and determination. Kirkham took the lead early after an interception try from Duckett as Wirral were launching a dangerous looking attack. Wirral hit back to equalise before Kirkham, through Duckett, once again regained the lead. Kirkham went forward at every opportunity with Dunn and Cox prevalent in many of the attacks. Just before half-time, Wirral drew level after Kirkham struggled against a wave of forward pressure. The second half saw Kirkham exert their dominance, scoring three more tries through Cox and Dunn again. The Kirkham defence, despite attacking with some skill, remained resolute throughout in a very encouraging first game of the season. Final score was 25-15 to KGS.
Kirkham Grammar School U13b vs Wirral Grammar School
Saturday 7 September 2024
KGS Loss 20-30
The U13b team played away at Wirral Grammar for boys. The game was tough against a big physical team. Unfortunately the result was a 30-20 loss with some good performances by Ingram, Hartley-Pagnillo and Liversy who all scored tries. The first game of the season has shown areas that need to improve but also having detailed positives that will allow for strong team performances later in the session.
HOCKEY
Kirkham Grammar School U19s Hockey Squad - Nottingham National U19 Pre-Season Tournament
Friday 30 August to Sunday 01 September 2024
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A squad of 20 represented KGS at the Nottingham National pre-season tournament to play against some of the best in the country. In a two day tournament, it was always going to be tough work but with a large and very able squad, they were always set to impress! With Cooper, Whittle, Edwards, Osborne, Hancock and Miles making their 1st team debuts, it was exciting to see what this squad was capable of. Bradford Grammar, Oakham School, Kimbolton School, Wimbledon High and Bloxham School all formed part of our group over the two day tournament before the cross over's took place. The squad played incredibly well throughout the group games growing in strength as the tournament progressed. Key players were lost through the tournament due to injury including Captain Tomes and U6 key forward Margerison. All group matches finished 1-0 either way in an incredibly close tournament! In the cross over games KGS met RGS Worcester first. Again, an incredibly close match with both team creating multiple chances on goal. The score at the final whistle was 1-0 to RGS Worcester which meant that KGS face Lord Wandsworth College in their final match of the weekend. Once again, the KGS squad grew in strength and confidence making the LW goal keeper work incredibly hard. Another hard fought match finishing the weekend with a 1-0 victory.
Kirkham Grammar School U18 Hockey squad - Stowe 6's National Pre-season Tournament
Saturday 24 August to Sunday 25 August 2024
This was Tome's first run out as captain of the 2024/25 1st team and she certainly lead by example. The squad had a strong start but it did take a little time to adjust to playing 6's. Before long the side got into their stride with Margerison pinging balls at goal! Tomlinson lead from the back with great support from Bunday and Gut. The group games were largely successful with regards to results, but ultimately, this was the ideal situation to get the senior hockey pre-season program up and running. The squad went on to qualify for the semi-final of the cup meeting Ipswich School who they had met earlier in the day, losing narrowly 0-1. The players fought hard and stuck to the stringent game play throughout. Unfortunately, Ipswich had the upper hand taking away a 0-2 victory on this occasion.
KGS vs Ipswich School lost 0-1
KGS vs Kimbolton School won 2-0
KGS vs Northampton Saints lost 0-1
KGS vs Rugby drew 0-0
KGS vs Stowe A won 1-0
KGS vs Stowe B won 4-0
Semi-final KGS vs Ipswich School lost 0-2
Kirkham Grammar School U15 Hockey Squad
Stowe 6's National Pre-season Tournament
Saturday 24 to Sunday 25 August 2024
The U15 squad hit the ground running at the national 6's creating a feeling of never being away! They faced various new opponents from across the country which was a great pre-season starter in what was set to be an exciting tournament. They took to the pitch in the first game vs Stowe School A squad. The girls played with confidence, testing the Stowe keeper from the first whistle. Osborne impressed in midfield creating space for Whittle and Bailey to run riot when in attack. Hancock wasn't without any action in goal, making various saves throughout the tournament. Throughout the day KGS racked up victories to see them progress to the cup semi-finals. After a successful match, the girls were ready to face Ipswich School in a nail biting final! Unfortunately, Ipswich converted in the latter stages of the first half. KGS fought back hard and created various opportunities in front of goal with Guthrie and Schofield going fractionally wide. The squad were more than happy to take away a silver medal at the start of what is set to be an amazing season!
KGS vs Buckingham HC won 3-0
KGS vs Ipswich School drew 0-0
KGS vs Kimbolton School won 3-0
KGS vs Northampton Saints won 1-0
KGS vs Rugby & East Warwickshire HC won 2-0
KGS vs Stowe School A won 1-0
KGS vs Stowe School B won 2-0
Final KGS vs Ipswich School lost 0-1
Kirkham Grammar School Final pre-season Hockey training
KGS U14 vs KGS U15
Saturday 7 September 2024
The U14 and U15 squads have worked incredibly hard throughout their pre-season program and this was evident in their final pre-season matches before our season openers against Cheadle Hulme next Saturday. With two very large squads, this was the perfect opportunity for squad coaches to play around with formations and work in set pieces. From the off, both teams demonstrated their will to work incredibly hard as well as showing off their individual skill and knowledge of the game. These two squads can look forward to some very exciting and challenging competitions this season and we can't wait to follow their progress!
KGS U13s Hockey Squad
Again, another positive session for the U13 squad as they move into their second season together. Always working and developing which was evident within these training matches. The girls worked on their distribution from free hits and working the ball quickly towards goal. Vast improvement was made from start to finish demonstrating their willingness to learn and develop their game further.
And now to our new KGS U12's Hockey Squad......
WOW, what an amazing bunch of girls, who, after their first hockey games lesson on Friday, took to the pitch to play some 7 aside hockey! Happy, enthusiastic and attentive in their approach and an absolute pleasure to work with! We can't wait to see them in their first competitive fixtures next weekend but before this, they can look forward to their weekly conditioning session, training after school and another games lesson!
The future's bright!