Kirkby Lonsdale 30 Eccles 10 (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Kirkby Lonsdale 30 Eccles 10

12:17pm Wednesday 2nd November 2011 in Rugby By Patrick O'Kane, Senior News/Sport Reporter

REFEREE Colin Davison had his hands full in a fractious match at Kirkby Lonsdale, but the hosts possession paid off as they ran out 30-10 winners against Eccles.

Kirkby caught the Eccles kick off and worked the ball immediately into the opposition half, winning a penalty as an Eccles player was penalised for not rolling away.

Directly into the wind Chris Ramwell's penalty drifted just wide and moments later Andy Hine nudged on when attempting to ground a try.

Eccles' forward play tested the Kirkby defence on several occasions but they could find no way through but the wind didn’t favour Ramwell when another penalty drifted wide.

Kirkby had the majority of territory, possession and flair and as the first half drew to a close Josh Pewsey hacked the ball downfield, booted the ball on and ran clear of the defence to go over near the posts, with Ramwell converting for a 7-0 lead at half-time.

Kirkby maintained the upper hand in the second hald and from a lineout near the Eccles corner flag, Kirkby drove over, with Lucian Morosan grounding the ball and Ramwell converting.

Eccles response was swift right winger James Donnelly evaded a couple of tackles to score in the corner.

But Kirkby moved clear through two Ramwell penalties and when captain Matt Hughes bullocked his way over in the right corner the score was 25-5.

Hooker Dan Armistead was sin binned inside the last ten minutes and with the extra man Eccles eventually worked the ball over by the corner flag.

Kirkby though were not done and went in search of a fourth try and bonus point with an attack down the right.

Left wing Josh Pewsey took off on a looping run and as centre Jack Akrigg slid a grubber kick behind the defence and Pewsey picked up to complete the scoring by the corner flag.