RUGBY: Kirkby sneak to win over Vale of Lune

YOUNG winner Harry Ralston scored a late try against his father's old club as Kirkby Lonsdale were made to work hard for a win over local rivals Vale of Lune.

The Underley Park side endured a torrid first half but managed to get in at the break just a point down.

Substitute Martyn Knapton seized his opportunity to score a brilliant second half try before Ralston's late winner - in front of his watching dad.

"It was a funny old game," said skipper Ben Walker. "We didn't help ourselves because we were struggling with some of the refereeing decisions. It felt at times we were playing against 16 men.

"We had to take our chances when they came because it felt like we were defending for a lot of the time.

"The last ten minutes we finally got some decent possession and took the opportunities we had to win.

"It was a local derby and we showed real determination to come back into the game. It takes a lot of effort to do that when you are not playing great.

"Martyn has not been starting recently because he has been a bit out-of-form but hopefully this will be the confidence boost he needs."

Kirkby found themselves under the cosh in the opening minutes until a run from left wing David Bird down the left touchline relieved some of the pressure. It was momentary though, Vale swarmed back into Kirkby territory and having missed their first penalty shot at goal were successful with their second when Kirkby were adjudged off side in front of their posts and it was 3 – 0 after eight minutes.

The pressure from Vale was relentless and it wasn’t until the end of the first quarter that Kirkby were able to sustain a position deep in Vale territory. The ball came into the skilful hands of Tom Slater, deputising at stand off, who took a pass on the Vale twenty two.

There was defensive cover and options outside but a show and go created space and he powered his way over for a try.

A kickable conversion was missed but Kirkby had taken the lead, against the run of play, at 3-5.

Normal service was then resumed, Vale hurled themselves at Kirkby who continued to keep them at bay with the occasional riposte.

Bird picked up a cut injury and was replaced by Martyn Knapton, Dan Armistead picked up a yellow defending the Kirkby line and on the stroke of half time another penalty sent the home side in 6 -5 to the good.

For all Vale’s possession and territory in the first half there was still nothing in it.

Kirkby started the second half the better side and an early penalty would have seen them back in the lead but it slid by the right post.

This let off put a spring back in Vale’s step and on one attack the Kirkby number six Stuart Storey knocked on going for an intercept and was yellow carded for the offence.

The referee awarded Vale a penalty try which they converted to lead 13-5, judged by the Kirkby touchline a harsh decision.

If it was harsh the injustice was immediately redressed in the most brilliant fashion by Knapton.

Stepping one would be tackler just inside his own half he ran down the line at the Vale cover.

As it closed in he chipped a beautifully flighted ball over and sped through to gather the obliging bounce, running round to score between the posts with the conversion bringing the score back to the one point margin at 13-12.

That was a champagne moment and worthy of being the moment of the match but as the clock ticked down a revitalised Kirkby moved in for the kill.

A flowing move was halted by Vale but Kirkby still had possession.

Stand off Slater quickly assessed his options and kicked a carefully weighted high ball to the right where Knapton was again involved, taking the catch in the tackle but offloading as he fell to winger Ralston dived over in the corner.

Outside centre Tom Pickthall kicked a big conversion from the touchline and Kirkby had the lead at 13-19 with two minutes left on the clock before holding on to seal a remarkable victory.

Kirkby team: Pablo Kwiczor, Matt Hoyland, Dan Armistead, David Cooper-Dunn, Leandro Kwiczor, Stuart Storey, Lwazi Ngcungama, Craig Galbraith, Ben Walker, Tom Slater, David Bird, Jack Akrigg, Tom Pickthall, Harry Ralston, Chris Ramwell. Bench: Martyn Knapton, Nick Edney, Jonas Thorsen.