Rugby - 'Grub' work by Kirkby Lonsdale (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Rugby - 'Grub' work by Kirkby Lonsdale

10:38am Saturday 1st November 2008 in Sport By Gazette Sports

Kirkby Lonsdale 27.

Aldwinians 0.

CONSIDERING the appalling weather Kirkby played some amazing handling rugby against a team expected to test them to the limit.

Kirkby faced a strong wind driving rain up the pitch in the first half and Aldwinians had the first chance to go ahead but Cook was off target with a kickable penalty.

Instead Kirkby gained the upper hand and moved into the visitors' 22. Stand-off Tom Pickthall’s angled grubber kick deceived the defenders and he raced through to score a try, which Hadwin converted.

Further Kirkby pressure took play under the posts only to concede a penalty, much to the visitors' relief.

Quickly back on the attack, the home team won a penalty and, with the visitors not retreating ten metres, Hadwin found it within range, judging the wind well to put his kick over.

As Aldwinians chose mainly to pick and drive, the Kirkby back row of Vokes, Robinson and Shepherd, plus the ever-combative Storey, were in their element, tackling everything that moved.

Kirkby went back on the attack again and a grubber kick by Barton set up a try for Hind on the right wing. Hadwin was just wide with the kick but Kirkby still had a pleasing 15-0 lead. .

After Shepherd was sinbinned, Aldwinians were awarded four penalties and got close to the Kirkby tryline but a steadfast defence secured turnover ball to win a scrum on their own line.

A quick heel by Storey got the ball away to Pickthall, who fed it for Hadwin to make good ground. He found Barton in support who drew the full back before putting Hind away to race round the back of the posts.

Hadwin converted and at 22-0 Kirkby appeared to be holding a winning lead.

With the wind behind them in the second half, Kirkby looked set for a big score but they consistently got on the wrong side of the referee and Cooper-Dunne was sinbinned.

Play became very stop-start but the Kirkby forwards were dominating the scrums and the front row of Holmes, Koncz-ynski and Groves caused their opposite numbers many problems.

In the worsening weather the visitors seemed to offer no real threat, but Kirkby could not put any further points on the board, giving away penalty after penalty.

Hughes at last cheered Kirkby with a breakthrough and a good run but the support could not quite reach him in time.

Even down to seven Kirkby were still pushing the opposite pack. In an effort to break the points hold-up, Kirkby brought on Thorsen to drive through the middle and he swiftly made an impression.

A short penalty was passed to Hughes who deservedly scored a good try. Hadwin's kick was just off target but the final whistle came soon afterwards with Kirkby well satisfied with their day's work.

* The Seconds were also at home to Garstang Seconds and had a reasonably easy 32-0 victory.