4 April 2022
Wednesday 30 March 2022 - U16 Lancashire Schools Cup Final
Kirkham Grammar School v Lancaster RGS
Kirkham win 34-5
On Wednesday 30 March, Kirkham Grammar School U16 rugby team played local rivals Lancaster Royal Grammar school in the Lancashire Schools Cup Final at Fylde RUFC. The two sides had met earlier in the season where Kirkham had won comfortably, however Kirkham knew they must not underestimate their opponents, as Lancaster are a formidable outfit who always perform well in cup ties. The first half did not disappoint. Kirkham were first on the score sheet when second row Henry Whitton powered over the line following a catch and drive at the lineout. Twenty minutes later the next score came when Kirkham managed to break the Lancaster back line due to a well-executed backs play off the scrum and Winger Xander Kane dotted the ball down out wide. Just before half time Lancaster secured a lineout in the Kirkham twenty two, Lancaster then worked through the phases to eventually crash over the Kirkham line from short range. Half time score 10-5 to Kirkham.
Kirkham made a number of changes at half time due to the half game rule, enter Kirkham’s answer to the bomb squad, Seb Kelly and Wills Gut who replaced Finlay Shawcross-Clough and Luca Mihell, who both performed well. Kelly and Gut were reunited with Monty Loggenberg in the back row to complete the formidable trio. Kirkham had a short lineout about forty meters out from the Lancaster try line, it was secured by Henry Whitton, passed by Harry Tomlinson to Kelly who made a big dent into the Lancaster defence. Kirkham maintained the momentum with a succession of carries and it was back rower Monty Loggenberg who got over the line for Kirkham’s third try. With twenty minutes to go Kirkham made four further changes, Sam Medhurst and Seb Mati were replaced by forwards Alex Greenhalf and Fin McLachlan and wingers Xander Kane and Will Davies were replaced by Tom Wilkinson and Ben Firth. Kirkham’s next try came from a fumble by Lancaster and scrum half Tomlinson pounced onto the ball. Kirkham then played fast, loose rugby until Wills Gut found a gap in the Lancaster defence and scored following some impressive footwork. Tom Wilkinson added the conversion.
Kirkham were now firmly in control of the game with Lancaster looking tired. Captain James Stacey found his way to the try line with an impressive solo run from first receiver, this was also successfully converted by Wilkinson. Strong carrying from Saif Amr, Fin McLachlan and Jack Chapman made inroads yet again into the Lancaster defence and it was Harry Reay, one of the stand out players of the season who sealed the victory with Kirkham’s sixth and final try. The score line of 34-5 to Kirkham was not a true reflection of the battle that had taken place, Lancaster can be proud of their performance, they played with heart and determination, showing lots of potential.
