Kirkby Lonsdale 22 - 19 Leigh

KIRKBY Lonsdale almost threw away a commanding half-time lead against Leigh at Underley Park - but held on to keep their incredible home record intact.

Hooker Dan Armistead captained the side in the absence of Ben Walker with Ed Towers deputising at nine in a game which had terrific value for spectators since it turned out they were to see two Kirkby sides on the day - the good and the bad.

The first try arrived when Stuart Storey broke several tackles and took play deep into the Leigh half.

He was eventually held but the ball was quickly recycled and driven on for new boy Lwazi Ngcungama to crash over for a try which Tom Pickthall converted.

Leigh sought to hit back and ran powerfully at Kirkby only to be stopped by a crunching tackle on the halfway line from David Cooper-Dunn which dislodged the ball and put Kirkby in possession.

Running it back at Leigh the visitors deliberately knocked on a Kirkby pass and Pickthall extended the lead with the penalty.

Kirkby continued to press and impress and three minutes later clever play by the backs worked the ball to left wing Josh Maddock.

Taking the pass just inside his own half he ran strongly, handing off two would be tacklers, and ran in to score near the posts. Pickthall added the extras.

Kirkby stand off Dave Barton was next in the action with a powerful burst down the right which took him close to the line.

Leigh infringed at the breakdown and Kirkby had a scrum but couldn’t benefit from the position.

Leigh cleared the ball but only straight to Kirkby full back Chris Ramwell who set off on a brilliant weaving run to the line where he was held but Ngcungama was on hand to pick up and power over in the corner for his second and Kirkby’s third try. The conversion drifted wide as the whistle blew to end the first half at 22-0.

The second half didn’t start well for Kirkby when number four Leandro Kwiczor picked up a yellow card.

Leigh took advantage of the extra man by driving over for a converted try to put themselves on the board at 22-7 and give themselves a toe hold in the game.

This was just the encouragement they needed and it became a foothold when Kirkby conceded a second try after around twenty minutes.

Leigh didn’t convert it but at 22-12 any thoughts the Kirkby faithful might have had about the bonus point fourth try were justifiably replaced with concerns about hanging on for the victory.

And this began to look a very fragile prospect when Leigh crossed for their third try, converted this time to move within three points at 22-19 late on in the match.

However, Kirkby were good enough to hang on although the relief was palpable when the whistle was blown.

After the match John Rogers of Cumbria RFU presented head coach John Pickthall with the Cumbria Club Of The Year trophy for Kirkby’s performances last season.

Team: Jonas Thorson, Dan Armistead, Pablo Kwiczor, Leandro Kwiczor, David Cooper-Dunn, Stuart Storey, Lwazi Ngcungama, Craig Galbraith, Ed Towers, David Barton, David Bird, Jack Akrigg, Tom Pickthall, Josh Maddock, Chris Ramwell. Bench: Martyn Knapton, Scott Boyd, Ryan Holmes