Kirkby Lonsdale 7.

Wirral 11.

THIS was the one that got away. Kirkby were caught cold when a long kick-off was allowed to roll into touch near their own line. A knock-on at the maul was folowed by a penalty award to Wirral who took it short move to reach the corner for five points.

A Wirrla player was sinbinned for illegally countering Kirkby's superior scrummaging, but although the front row of Cooper- Dunn, Holmes and Groves ground down the opposition, no try was forthcoming.

In broken play up to half time Kirkby went 8-0 behind to a penalty despite having 80 per cent of the play before the break.

Kirkby's forward kept on the pressure in the second half but there was a blow when Hadwin had to go off, Cleary moving to scrum-half.

Cleary missed a penalty but soon atoned when after the forwards batered a way to the line, he sliced through for the try and converted from a narrow angle to make it 8-7.

Knapton, Clark and Green all put in good runs but could not gain a clear breakthrough as ex-Kirkby team-mate Olly Ashton had a good game at full back.

Krirkby's frustration grew and they gave away a kickable penalty which went over.

There was still time for another try if Kirkby could conjure it, but Wiirral held on to deny the hosts.