3 April 2019
After a successful Sevens campaign, KGS rugby players turned their attention to the National Tens at Sedbergh School. Kirkham were confident from the start and with Captain Daniel Kelly setting a fine example they were always going to be a threat. Playing with skill and physicality, KGS dominated their group games with wins over Stamford School 29-0, Seaford College 21-10, King Edwards', Bathg38-10 and QEGS, Wakefield 31-15 which took them into the second day semi-final group. Scrum-Half Cole Potts was in outstanding form as were front rowers Ethan Caine and Corey Bowker. Their form allowed spaces for other players to run in some exciting tries with Will Gregory, Ethan Hall-Lyon, Callum Grieve and Oli Leatherbarrow benefitting with numerous tries.The hard work of vice-captain Will Gargett was also very much key to KGS gaining such success on the first day of the tournament.
Kirkham were now placed in a semi-final group with some top rugby playing schools. KGS maintained their confidence and with the same players influencing the games, defeated RGS High Wycombe 26-21, Barnard Castle 31-19 and King’s Macclesfield 34-12 to reach the final of the tournament for the first time since 2003. In the final, Kirkham were faced by the host school Sedbergh and despite defending heroically for long periods with outstanding tackles coming from Daniel Kelly, Cole Potts and Will Gargett they were defeated 0-26. Despite the loss, this was a magnificent effort reaching the final of a National Competition and beating some other top rugby schools.
