Rugby - Seniors fail to match Mini sensation (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Rugby - Seniors fail to match Mini sensation

10:29am Thursday 21st April 2011 in Sport

Kirkby Lonsdale 3, Burnage 50.

THE Park was a hive of activity with the Kirkby Lonsdale club’s international festival of mini rugby in full swing.

Every square inch - apart from the first-team pitch - was utilised for for matches, stalls and amusements - and overhearing one of the team pep talks your correspondent was glad he played in more relaxed times!

Kirkby’s First XV got down to business missing five regulars and a big, powerful Burnage - lying second in the table - took the ball down to the tryline.

Athough the pushover was initially denied, Hewitt came off the back of a long maul to score and Raikes converted.

The Kirkby forwards’ short driving game forced a penalty but is was off target and instead one of the most powerful back lines in the league created a sweeping move for left wing Kornecki go over in the corner.

On top for 20 minutes, Kirkby’sd pack looked as if they muust score, but Burnage survived and broke out cleverly for wingfer Knight to find space and score.

Close put a penalty attempt asgainst the post and though McLeod gathered, Kirkby could not cross and turned round 17-0 down.

From J Akrigg’s long drop-out, the Burnage full back blocked the ball with his boot and watched in horror as his team- mate picked it up in front of him.

This time Close made no mistake with the penalty to get Kirkby on the scoreboard.

Burnage kept the ball moving and Squires was unlucky not to intercept when the ball was nudged forward.

Despite some last-ditch tackling, the Burnage backs were now in full flow and three more tries all converted got them to 50 and improved their chance of promotion.