18 February 2026
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Rugby U17 Development v Bromsgrove School
Date: Friday 16 January 2026
Result: Lost 33-7
The game was played at Sixways Stadium, the famous home of Worcester Warriors. It was a unique experience for all involved, and we are truly grateful to Bromsgrove and former Worcester Warriors club captain, Tony Windo, for arranging the fixture.
The Kirkham U17s went down by two scores in the first half but showed great promise in both attack and defence. Captain Jack Dawson-Gerrard led from the front, and Sam Turner was an absolute handful in attack.
Kirkham utilized a large bench, making ten changes in the second half. For long periods, the KGS boys had the upper hand but struggled to convert their territorial advantage into points. Kirkham did score one try thanks to reserve front-row forward Will Davies crashing over from short range. At 14-7, it looked like Kirkham were back in the game; however, Bromsgrove showed their class, scoring a further three tries in the last ten minutes.
Rugby U12 v Hutton Grammar
Date: Saturday 17th January
Result: Won 50-0
Kirkham U12s put together a fantastic performance against local rivals Hutton Grammar. Vinney Walker pulled the strings at fly-half, while powerhouse centre George Viney provided the go-forward.
Kirkham forwards Oscar Punchard, Austin Thompson, Dennis Cottam, Harry Williamson, and Tim Davies worked hard around the park. Scrum-half Theo Peters and centre Jack Yates controlled the game nicely, while Hunter Chesworth looked classy on the wing.
The U12, 13, 14 and 15 squads experienced much success as they took on Wakefield's hockey squads.
Date: Saturday 17 January 2026
U12 A Result: 15-0 win
The U12A squad kicked the morning off with an outstanding performance. The girls were fired up and played some amazing hockey from the first whistle with Moore converting the first goal to open the scoreline. Some great transfer of play opened up space on the backline for Taylor to expose the Wakefield defence and convert number two. O'Mahoney worked tirelessly to keep possession of the ball and create space for some excellent passes to be threaded through.
The goals just kept coming with Branthwaite, Moore and Taylor converting several more. Pearson impressed in defence as did Thompson with their distribution skills. At the final whistle KGS took away a 15-0 victory.
U12 B Result: 8-1 win
In the B team game, Maclean-Bristol led the way as Captain creating chance after chance. Both Adamson twins linked up well providing opportunity for Trend to throw the ball down the line. Adamson, Maclean-Bristol and Branthwaite converted several more goals.
Trend made some excellent tackles in defence and was well supported by Adamson at left back.
A fantastic 8-1 victory to complete a wonderful morning of hockey!
U13 A Result: 2-3 loss
On Saturday, the U13/A girls took on a Wakefield High School for Girls in their league fixture. The KGS girls started the game on the front foot playing some attractive hockey and were able to create several goal-scoring opportunities but were unable to convert. Wakefield did however find the back of the net and went into the half-time break with a 1-0 advantage. The second half was another even affair. The U13A girls continued upping their energy levels; found their passing game and were rewarded with two excellent goals by Nancy Lawson and Tilly Best. Unfortunately, Wakefield was able to score another two goals. Although going down 2-3 the KGS U13A team showed real character and must be commended for their positive attitude throughout the match.
U13 B Result: 2-3 loss
On Saturday, the U13/B girls took on a Wakefield High School for Girls in their league fixture. After a quick start by the opponents, the U13Bs found themselves down 0-1. After regrouping they quickly found their stride and got a goal back going into half-time all square at 1-1. The girls came out firing in the second half and being led by Sienna Mitchell and Faye Mitchell in attack and Rocky Ralston in defence they scored another two goals. All the U13B team girls must be commended for the fighting spirit and positive attitudes they displayed throughout. They were well deserved 3-2 winners.
U15 Result:
From the start of the match, the team looked to use the full width of the pitch, moving the ball quickly out to the wings and playing accurate passes to move the opposition defence. This approach helped the team maintain possession and create opportunities in the attacking half.
The opening goal came after a sustained spell of pressure and was scored by Townsend from a short corner, with a clean strike from the top of the D. This gave the team early momentum and allowed them to settle into their rhythm.
The second goal was scored by Mackenzie from open play, following good build-up play down the wing and a composed finish inside the circle. The team continued to work patiently, and their third goal also came from open play, with Mackenzie finishing after a quick passing move that opened space in front of goal.
The fourth goal was added later in the game, scored by Burrow's with a reverse-stick shot from inside the circle. The goal reflected the team’s ability to create chances through movement and ball control.
Although the opposition managed to score once, the team remained organised defensively and limited further chances. The defence worked well, and the midfield continued to link play effectively between defence and attack.
Overall, it was a disciplined and steady performance, with good use of width, teamwork, and consistent effort throughout the match. The result provides a positive platform for the team moving forward.
Rugby U12 Lancashire Schools Festival
Date: Tuesday 20th January
Record: P4 W2 L2
Kirkham lost their initial group games to Manchester Grammar School and St Peter's RC School, but bounced back in the final pool games to beat Liverpool College and Audenshaw School.
On the day, George Viney was in fine form, with Jack Yates and Theo Peters putting in the hard graft once again. Ted Baxter moved the ball well, while Arthur Rotherham impressed with his ball-carrying and tackling ability. The pack of Austin Thompson, Oscar Punchard, Tim Davies, Harry Williamson, and Dennis Cottam enjoyed getting stuck in, while replacements Lewis Perry, Teddy Rowlands, Oliver Melling, and Tom Rossall made significant impacts from the bench. Hunter Chesworth and Vinney Walker impressed in the backfield.
KGS U16 Rugby VS Scarsibrick
Date: Wednesday 21 January 2026
Result: 42-12 win
On Wednesday afternoon Kirkham U16’s travelled to Scarisbrick Hall for their Lancashire cup semi final, on a small heavy pitch KGS with space at a premium a more direct approach was the order of the day, KGS started well securing the kick off and retaining the ball through several phases which resulted in a penalty close to Scarisbrick’s line, a quick tap from Griggs allowed Martins to crash over with Lawson converting.
The next fifteen minutes was a real battle with no quarter asked or given by either side with defence on top, Kirkham decided to go to their set piece after winning a penalty Lawson put the ball in the corner which allowed them to muscle their way over, Kelso scoring his first of the day again Lawson added the extras.
Scarisbrick responded well with a long period of possession, but the KGS defence was strong and on the stroke of half time Wright and Milligan forced the turn over, Griggs and Hartley-Pagnillo moved the ball left through the hands and then switched the attack back right allowing Kelso to crash over for his second, Lawson again added the conversion to make it 21-0.
KGS scored again after a Scarisbrick knock on from the restart, KGS reacted quickly, strong running from Davies, Martins, Walls and Lawson created space for Kelso to go over for his hattrick Lawson again made it 7. Scarisbrick Hall again came back strongly, aided by Kirkham giving several penalties away and receiving two yellow cards allowing Scarisbrick to score two try’s, back up to a full compliment KGS took away any thought of a late comeback with a strong finish, with MoM Kelso scoring his fourth and the industrious Wright finishing the game with a deserved score, McKay and Lawson added the last two conversions, both teams deserve credit for an extremely competitive game.
Kirkham looks forward to meeting either Bolton School or Manchester Grammar in the final.
Rugby U17 Development v Old Swinford Hospital 1st XV
Date: Wednesday 21 January 2026
Result: Lost 43-36
Kirkham faced a much bigger pack than themselves, but they were certainly up for the challenge. Captain Jack Dawson-Gerrard, along with Oliver Parkinson and Archie Turriff, set the tone early on with some impressive tackling and ball-carrying.
At half-time, the scores were level, and the lead went back and forth for much of the game. It was only in the last couple of minutes that OSH secured the win. Kirkham players Tomos Barton and Evan Oxley showed their class, while Joe Unsworth put in a massive shift at prop. Sam Backwell is starting to find form in the second row, as is Ethen Stafford. James Ball, at scrum-half, worked tirelessly for the team and is really putting his hand up for 1st XV selection next season.
Hockey KGS U15 Vs AKS
Date: Saturday 24 January 2026
Result: 4-0 win
KGS delivered one of their most cohesive performances of the season this week, securing a well-earned win by using tactical discipline and high energy. From the opening whistle, the team focused on fundamentals, prioritising a high ball pace that allowed them to dictate the tempo of the game.
A key feature of the match was the effective use of the wings. The players worked tirelessly to stretch the opposition, consistently sending the ball down the line to bypass the midfield congestion. This wide play eventually created the opening for the first goal. Osborne executed a perfectly timed aerial ball that dropped right into the D; Singleton followed up with a powerful strike on goal, and while the initial shot was blocked, Guthrie was well-positioned to slot home the rebound.
The pressure remained constant, and shortly before the break, the team earned a short corner. A smooth execution between Osborne and Townsend found the back of the net, giving the team a comfortable two-goal cushion heading into half-time.
Despite the lead, the message at the break was clear: stay focused. The squad did not take their foot off the pedal in the second half, maintaining the same high intensity and work rate. The defensive unit stayed sharp, quickly transitioning the ball back to the wings to keep the opposition on the back foot.
This sustained pressure led to further opportunities in the circle. Two more goals followed in quick succession, both resulting from well-drilled short corner routines. Osborne converted the first with a clinical finish, followed by a final goal from Townsend to round off the scoring. It was a professional display of hockey that showed great promise from a 4-0 win.
