Match report edited by Alexander Candlin talking to David Higson.

KIRKBY Lonsdale returned to action at Ramsgreave Drive where they took on league heavy weights Blackburn.

The high riding Northern Premier League side had been enjoying a streak of success in the season and Kirkby were determined to give them a challenge.

Kirkby, with several senior colts in the squad, kicked off with a strong wind blowing across the pitch.

An early penalty came from a high tackle which gave the home side an advantage and their backs moved the ball up field before knocking on.

Kirkby lost the scrum and Blackburn were over for their first unconverted try with only seven minutes on the clock. 

The home side backs again moved the ball along the line and despite a knock on 5 meters out, went over for their second try.

The referee deemed it had come off the attacking players chest and allowed the try to stand. 10 minutes and 10-0. The Blackburn players showed their strength and experience when they ran in two further tries in the following 10 minutes despite the Kirkby lads tackling and drawing errors by the home side.

The score moved to 24-0.

As the game progressed the home side were on the attack when Sam Nicholson went for the interception and an opportunity to score looked on the cards but he could not be complete the move and Blackburn had the scrum. On came the forwards and the home teams prop dived over moving the score to 29-0.

There followed a period of pressure by Kirkby but getting over the line against this well drilled defence resulted in an infringement and Blackburn cleared up field. In spite of their relentless defence, Kirkby conceded three further tries before the half time whistle as the score moved to 48-0.
Blackburn restarted the second half and Kirkby managed to retain the ball but made little headway.

Nicholson moved the ball to Huddleston who broke through the home side backs and dodged round their number 15 to score under the posts. 48-7 within 5 minutes of the half.

The home side responded with a try, courtesy of their back line to move the score to 53-7.

A period of good play by the visitors put pressure on the home defence but a lost ruck enabled Blackburn to clear their line. The next 15 minutes belonged to Blackburn with their forwards linking with the backs to move the board to 65-7.

The Kirkby pack attacked the visitors and again camped on their try line without coming away with any points. Lost balls in the rucks have been Kirkby's downfall this season together with finishing by the forwards when in sight of the line.

A further period of attacking play by the home side came to nought with stoic defence by the visitors who cleared their line up field only to meet the next fierce attack leading to a converted try by their backs. 72-7.

A further try with 10 minutes of play remaining and the board read 79-7.

Blackburn did not let up and ran in their final try on the full-time whistle to give a full-time score of 84-7.
Blackburn's president had written in the programme that his team were playing their best rugby in the history of the Club.

Not a consolation to the young Kirkby players who have given their all this season with only small returns and have played with pride to wear the Club colours.

Lymm next at Underley Park to see an end to the season.