Rugby - Missing seven means no heaven (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Rugby - Missing seven means no heaven

10:07am Saturday 19th March 2011 in Sport

North One West: Wirral 48, Kirkby Lonsdale 0.

CHICKEN pox, imminent fatherhood and tailbacks on the motorway meant Kirkby went into the game missing seven regulars.

Despite this the Kirkby front row of James Law, Ryan Holmes and Dan Teasdale and the rest of the forwards took the game to Wirral, keeping possession and pressing on the home line, before Tosh Shepherd, a leading player in Kirkby’s recent improvement, went down with a knee injury and could not continue The game was very physical and both Barton and Konczynski were injured but Kirkby remained on top and Pickthall had a chance with two long range penalties, but they fell short.

Flanker Glen Limbrick and Wirral’s no 10 Annetts had a disagreement and were both yellow carded, which seemed to affect Kirkby more than Wirral.

And for the last ten minutes of the half Wirral began to stretch the Kirkby defence, with winger Baker and the full back Harvey scoring in either corner. Neither try was converted as Wirral led 10-0 at half time.

Copper Dunne had now arrived and the Kirkby forwards were still doing well but a mistake gave possession away and quick passing put Harvey away on a course to score for 15-0.

A long kick and a cruel bounce saw Wirral gather and score again, and the swift Wirral backs were now in confident mood.

A good move saw them get round the outside and score behind the posts and this time they converted.

A scrum near the Kirkby posts saw J Murray show why he is Cheshire under 21 scrum half, scoring after an elusive run.

Kirkby still kept trying to play a driving game but could not get a breakthrough against determined tackling.

Wirral scored two converted tries in the last five minutes of an extremely long half. The final one by winger Baker earned him a hat-trick and a final score of 48-0.

Despite having their ranks plundered the Seconds still managed to defeat Bolton 2nds to remain top of their league.