Rugby - Pickthall seals Kirkby nailbiter (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Rugby - Pickthall seals Kirkby nailbiter

11:36am Saturday 29th November 2008 in

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Kirkby Lonsdale 25 Eccles 18 ONE of the most exciting matches seen at Underley Park this season ended with Kirkby Lonsdale progressing in the EDF Energy Senior Vase, with a home draw against Dukinfield on December 13 their reward.

The sides were evenly matched for size and it soon became obvious it was going to be a quick, competitive match.

The visitors opened the scoring when Nichols opted to try to sink a penalty from the halfway line and his high kick scraped over the crossbar.

Eccles went further ahead when a long run eluded several attempted Kirkby tackles and Nichols took the final pass to go over for an unconverted score.

Kirkby battled back and Barton got away up the blindside and though tackled just short of the line, he transferred to Hind who scored in the corner to claw back five points.

However, Eccles hit back on the counter-attack, dispossessing an isolated Kirkby player to sweep downfield for Nichols to score his second try by the posts and add the extras, leaving Kirkby 15-5 adrift and playing catch-up.

Lock Matt Hughes made several surging runs to put pressure on the visitors and when a defensive kick failed to find touch, Hind gathered and sent out a long pass to Barton, who raced over in the corner for an unconverted score.

Pickthall failed with the conversion, but he slotted over a penalty soon afterwards to take Kirkby within two points.

Although some last-ditch tackling was required in defence, the Kirkby forwards seemed to be getting on top with good displays from Galbraith and D. Armistead.

When Kirkby again breached the visitors’ 22, Barton released prop Groves to charge down the left touchline and score in the corner. Pickthall’s kick was wide but Kirkby were ahead for the first time at 18-15.

Kirkby sensibly kicked for position to pin back their opponents, buit Eccles broke out and Nichols made no mistake from a penalty on the home 22 in front of the posts to level the scores - with the next score crucial.

Kirkby got in position for a pushover try, and having sucked in the Eccles defence, they swung out the ball to Pickthall in the centre and he dodged past his opponent to score by the posts, and duly converted.

Eccles had one more attack, but just when it looked as if a try was imminent the ball was knocked on and it was Kirkby who move into the next round.