Kirkby Lonsdale 34 - 7 Eccles

KIRKBY Lonsdale number seven Stuart Storey capped a fine all-around performance with a late try as the Underley Park outfit turned the heat up on league leaders Birkenhead Park with a dominant win over lowly Eccles.

The win puts Kirkby just one point behind Birkenhead ahead of next week's crucial clash at Upper Park on Saturday.

But it wasn't as plain sailing as the scoreline suggests.

Kirkby kicked off towards the town with a strong and bitterly cold north wind behind them and although Eccles had possession Kirkby were able to maintain play in the Eccles half.

The pressure turned into penalty opportunities for Kirkby but two chances were missed and the scoreboard remained untouched at the end of the first quarter.

The deadlock was finally broken on the half hour mark when Tom Pickthall was on target with a penalty from around twenty five metres out to make it 3-0 - although those points were scant reward for the territory and possession Kirkby had had and with the wind at their backs.

The position was improved almost on half time when Kirkby got a move going down the right. Eccles did halt it but quick hands and skilful running moved the ball out wide where winger Martyn Knapton scored in the corner.

Pickthall banged over the conversion from the touchline to make the half time score 10-0.

Eccles came out fighting and maintained a passage of play steadily advancing towards the line where their captain and prop Mark Greenhalgh finally rumbled over for a converted try.

If Eccles had any sniff up picking up an unlikely result that was dented when Storey put in a massive run up the centre of the field, breaking through several tackles and taking the ball inside the visitors twenty two.

Eccles were penalised in the tackle that did finally stop him but scrum half Ben Walker took a tap and go and dummied the full back to score by the posts. Pickthall converted to make it 17-7 after fourteen minutes.

Storey was in the action again a few minutes later with another charging run taking play deep into the Eccles half before he could be stopped.

Recycling quickly, Walker moved the ball right to stand off Dave Barton who created the chance for young winger Harry Ralston to score in the corner.

No conversion this time but Kirkby had breathing space at 22-7 mid-way through the half and with three tries in the bag the bonus point was suddenly on.

It came in slightly unusual circumstances. There hadn’t been much in it in the set scrum but in an attacking position Kirkby got a nudge on and were driving Eccles back towards their line.

When Eccles dropped the scrum referee Martin Denvir had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try which Pickthall converted and this bonus point fourth try sealed the game with ten minutes to play.

That was enough time for man of the match Storey to end the game with a try of his own.

Team: Jonas Thorsen, Pablo Kwiczor, Tim Groves, Matt Hughes (c), Nick Edney, David Cooper-Dunne, Stuart Storey, Craig Galbraith, Ben Walker, Dave Barton, Harry Ralston, Jack Akrigg, Tom Pickthall, David Bird, Chad Spence

Bench: Martyn Knapton, Ryan Holmes, John Law