Kirkby Lonsdale 41 - 7 Wilmslow

CENTRE Tom Pickthall's 100 per cent kicking success earned him the man-of-the-match award as the Underley Park outfit climbed back into second place of North One West with a stunning victory over Wilmslow.

Five converted tries and two penalties from Kirkby simply blew the Cheshire side as they moved four points ahead of Kendal and four points behind leaders Birkenhead Park.

Weather conditions looked grim as a heavy hail storm hit the ground as kick off time approached but the sunshine prevailed as Kirkby kicked off towards the clubhouse and laid siege to Wilmslow territory.

An early burst down the left from Pickthall was held just short only for winger Harry Ralston to go close in the right corner.

In the first ten minutes only desperate defence from the visitors stopped Kirkby scoring tries.

The tide was running though and on fifteen minutes prop Jonas Thorsen took the ball up and offloaded to full back Chad Spence who spun it out to stand off Dave Barton.

He drew his man then passed wide to winger Martyn Knapton who crossed for the first try which was converted by Pickthall.

Kirkby continued to pressurise the visitors' defence with periods of play of the highest order from forwards and backs until a high tackle produced a Pickthall penalty to take the score to 10-0 after twenty one minutes.

Nothing further of note happened until the thirtieth minute when Wilmslow finally got into the game and into the home twenty two but Kirkby dealt with the threat and normal operation inside Wilmslow territory was resumed. This resulted in another penalty when the visitors went offside and Pickthall was again on target to give Kirkby a 13-0 lead.

David Cooper-Dunn then caught the drop out, took the ball up and offloaded to Barton.

He dummied and then slipped the ball to scrum half Ben Walker, who was in very impressive form, who skinned the last defender to score by the posts. Pickthall converted for 20 – 0.

Almost before they knew it Wilmslow were dropping out again and defending again, but not well enough.

Barton charged down a clearance kick then hacked on to score the third try. Pickthall again converted to take the half time score to 27 – 0.

Six minutes into the second half and Kirkby bagged the bonus point fourth try after good work by the backs created space for Spence.

Ralston was on the overlap but Spence went for the line taking the defender over with him for the try, which again was converted for 34 – 0.

Kirkby then rang a few changes bringing speed merchant Josh Pewsey onto the left wing and Ryan Holmes into the front row for Thorsen.

Quarter of an hour played and Wilmslow finally found some form taking the ball through several phases before moving it right where centre Edd Stobart ran in a converted try to put them on the board at 34 – 7.

As the game progressed Kirkby skipper Matt Hughes went off on wobbly legs and Scotty Boyd was brought into the second row.

Wilmslow were enjoying more possession and a penalty to the right corner followed by a clean catch gave Kirkby plenty to think about but they were up to the task and although Wilmslow hammered hard they were unable to improve their position.

Kirkby cleared the danger with hooker Dan Armistead making a good strong run out of defence and the ball went out to Pewsey on the left wing but still well inside the Kirkby half.

He hit the gas, his pace taking out a couple of would be tacklers and he took the ball up into the Wilmslow twenty two.

The full back was waiting but the irrepressible Walker had tracked the move on the inside taking Pewsey’s perfectly timed pass to score under the posts. Pickthall converted to bring the curtain down on a comfortable and crucial win.

Team

1 Jonas Thorsen

2 Dan Armistead

3 Pablo Kwiczor

4 Matt Hughes ( C )

5 Nick Edney

6 David Cooper-Dunn

7 Stuart Storey

8 Craig Galbraith

9 Ben Walker

10 Dave Barton

11 Harry Ralston

12 Jack Akrigg

13 Tom Pickthall

14 Martyn Knapton

15 Chad Spence

Bench

Ryan Holmes

Scotty Boyd

Josh Pewsey