2 October 2026
Kirkham Grammar 1st XV 61–7 Wirral Grammar
Date: Saturday 5th September
Result: 61–7 victory
Kirkham Grammar School’s 1st XV made an impressive start to the new rugby season on Saturday, running in nine tries to secure a convincing 61–7 victory over Wirral Grammar.
From the opening exchanges, Kirkham looked strong and physical, particularly through their forward pack. The ball-carrying of Sam Backwell, Joe Unsworth, Ethan Stafford and Jack Kelso provided a strong platform, allowing Kirkham to consistently make ground and put the Wirral defence under pressure.
The scoreboard continued to tick over as Kirkham's attacking game began to click. Jack Kelso crossed for the opening try, with Ryan Shaw also getting on the scoresheet. In a particularly impressive individual performance, Seb Clark went on to score a hat-trick, while Fergus Hales and Sam Turner both contributed two tries apiece.
Captain Evan Oxley was composed with the boot, converting eight of Kirkham's nine tries and adding significantly to the final score. Oxley also managed the game well from fly half, showing good control and composure as Kirkham looked to maintain their momentum.
There were plenty of positives across the backline. Scrum-half Henry Grigg looked sharp and provided consistently good service, while wingers Sam Turner and Ryan Shaw made the most of the opportunities presented to them, both getting their names on the scoresheet.
James Ball, standing in at full-back, produced a confident performance, while Jack Dawson Gerrard also impressed. Dawson Gerrard, returning to Kirkham following a three-month exchange in New Zealand, made an excellent contribution on his return to the team.
In the second row, Harry Ireland showed plenty of promise, while Will James worked tirelessly throughout the game in the forward pack. In midfield, Ollie Yates and Seb Clark proved a constant threat, causing problems for the Wirral defence with their running and attacking ability.
Overall, it was an excellent opening performance from Kirkham. Nine tries and eight conversions demonstrated the attacking quality within the side, but equally encouraging was the strength of the forward play, the quality of the service behind the pack and the willingness to attack from all areas of the pitch.
A 61–7 victory provides an excellent platform for the season ahead, with plenty of encouraging signs for what promises to be an exciting campaign for the Kirkham Grammar 1st XV.
Kirkham Grammar 1st XV 21–15 St Ambrose 1st XV
Date: Saturday 12th September
Result: 21–15 victory
Kirkham Grammar’s 1st XV secured a hard-fought 21–15 victory away at St Ambrose in difficult, wet conditions.
Kirkham dominated possession from the outset but struggled to establish any real attacking flow, largely due to an aggressive and highly effective St Ambrose defence. Their defensive intensity forced Kirkham into a number of errors and prevented the visitors from building sustained pressure.
Captain Evan Oxley led the team well throughout, while scrum-half James Ball also impressed with a composed performance. In the centres, Seb Clarke backed up last week’s strong performances with another excellent showing. Fergus Hayes, Will James and Jack Kelso carried the ball strongly, with Henry Bates also proving effective and making valuable yards whenever he received possession.
At half-time, Kirkham led 7–3, with St Ambrose having converted a penalty. With the wet conditions making handling difficult, Kirkham adopted a more direct approach after the break and were eventually rewarded when Jack Dawson-Gerrard crossed for a well-earned try.
Kirkham then began to take control of the game. Henry Bates made a powerful break from the base of the scrum, making significant ground upfield. Two phases later, captain Evan Oxley crossed the line to extend Kirkham’s advantage.
A few minutes later, Kirkham added a third try through Taj Hauraki, taking the score to 21–3.
However, St Ambrose were not finished. With the Kirkham defence beginning to tire, the hosts fought back strongly in the final 15 minutes, scoring two tries to bring the game back into contention.
Kirkham showed excellent resilience in the closing stages, defending their lead and managing the game well to secure a 21–15 victory.
It was a pleasing result in challenging conditions and a valuable lesson in the importance of maintaining defensive intensity and composure until the final whistle.
St Ambrose 2nd XV 27 – 17 KGS 2nd XV
Date: Saturday 12th September
Result: 27 - 17 Loss
After a convincing win v Wirral Grammar School the previous week KGS 2nd team travelled to St Ambrose for a much more competitive game, from the kick off KGS tried to play from deep against a very good St Ambrose defence until some excellent kicking from Lauriston and Hartley-Pagnillo gained good field position to spread the ball wide where Griggs showed his pace to score in the left corner, with 25 minutes gone St Ambrose worked the ball over wide on the right for a converted try giving them a two point lead at half time.
The next 15 minutes were battled out between the 22 metre lines, but Ambrose showed better discipline around the breakdown enabling themselves to convert two penalties to stretch their lead, but KGS hit back again after good work by centres Turriff and Gardiner, the hard working Walls broke away and powered his way over, with KGS now starting to get on top, the Ambrose centre intercepted from deep in his own half and sprinted under the posts to make it 20-10, with KGS chasing the game from deep another penalty allowed St Ambrose to kick for the corner, where they drove over for another 7 pointer.
In the last 5 minutes KGS showed great character and energy going through several phases before Cross powered over under the posts for Gardiner to convert.
The signs are promising for a good season as combinations gel and new players settle into the game plan.