North Lancs/Cumbria: Kirkby Lonsdale 29 Workington 0 (From The Westmorland Gazette)

North Lancs/Cumbria: Kirkby Lonsdale 29 Workington 0

10:52am Monday 16th January 2012 in Rugby By Patrick O'Kane, Senior News/Sport Reporter

Kirkby Lonsdale 29
Workington 0
KIRKBY closed on leaders Fleetwood with a convincing home win against Workington in frosty conditions on Saturday.

In the away fixture Kirkby had inflicted a heavy defeat on their guests, who arrived at Underley Park determined to restore some pride.

Workington kicked off towards the town and a Kirkby fumble gave away a scrum on the 22, putting the home side immediately on the defensive.

The away scrum was solid and their backs looked sharp but Kirkby's defence was well organised and disciplined and although Workington had ten minutes of pressure inside the Kirkby 22, they couldn’t turn possession into points.

And it was the hosts who took the lead with an attack down the left wing.

Stand off Liam Cleary picked up a difficult ball and outpaced the defence to score behind the posts and Chris Ramwell converted for a 7-0 lead.

Kirkby number seven Stuart Storey had picked up a finger injury and, despite attempts to repair it, reluctantly had to leave the match to be replaced by John Ladell at open side flanker.

The lead was increased soon after when winger Jack Akrigg burst through but the score only moved to 12-0 as Ramwell missed his kick.

Robert Horsfall as replaced by Nathan Woof and as Workington moved into the Kirkby half for the first time in 20 minutes, they won a penalty on the 10m line.

Mike Fearon attempted a kick but the ball fell short.

Kirkby turned the screw with Lucian Morosan dictating the game at scrum half and left wing Josh Pewsey, went over for the hosts’ third try. Ramwell added the points for 19-0 and it was quickly followed by a Woof try from full back to give Kirkby a 24-0 half time lead and a precious bonus point.

Workington reshuffled at half time and were more resilient to Kirkby’s attacking flair and the hosts could only forge one more try.

Kirkby had yielded several penalties, but a tenacious defence prevented the visitors registering on the score sheet, which left Liam Cleary to wrap the match up as he grounded the ball in the corner.

The win puts Kirkby five points behind Fleetwood, whose match at Didsbury Toc H was postponed at the weekend.

Fleetwood have two games in hand but have yet to visit Underley Park.