Sports Reports

Hockey

Wednesday 11 October 2023 - KGS 1st XI vs RGS Newcastle 

Kirkham Grammar School 1st XI (pictured right) absorbed much pressure from the start whistle until they settled into the speed of the game after a long coach journey. Jackson made several outstanding saves in goal from an impressive RGS side with Millar and Milligan clearing the ball out to the midfield to build an attack. Tomlinson worked tirelessly to move the ball up the pitch releasing Cole and Proctor to press the RGS defence. A great individual run from Proctor resulted in the first goal of the match just before the half time break. In the second half both sides had their chances and it wasn't until the dying minutes of the second half that Newcastle equalised with a reverse stick shot into the roof of the net. A very promising performance and result for the first EH tier one match with KGS taking one point away and 6th spot on the table with two games in-hand. Final score 1-1.

KGS v Dollar Academy - Saturday 14 October 2023

Kirkham Grammar School welcomed touring teams from Dollar Academy, Scotland on Saturday. 

Kirkham Grammar School 1st XI had a positive start against a strong Dollar Academy side. Build up play from the back allowed Tomes, Smith, Cole and Schofield to control the midfield feeding the forwards through on goal. Margerison and Proctor went close on several occasions but were kept out by the Dollar goalkeeper. The game was end to end with Dollar eventually coming out on top after several fantastic saves from Jackson in the KGS goal. 

Kirkham Grammar School U14 National Cup side took on Dollar Academy U15s. This was always set to be a tough match against bigger and stronger players. The KGS squad raised their game and played some amazing hockey in all areas of the pitch. The midfield worked tirelessly to attack and help defend as the ball travelled end to end in a very close matched game. KGS got on the scoreboard first with Dollar equalising shortly after. The end result was 2-1 to Dollar. A great match as the team prepare for their next England Hockey Tier 1 match against The Grange after the half term break. 

Rugby

Wednesday 9 October 2023

National U18 Schools Cup - KGS 1^st XV v QEGS Wakefield

In the second round of the National U18 Schools' Cup, Kirkham Grammar School 1^st XV (pictured right) made the short journey over the Pennines to QEGS Wakefield. With a strong history in the competition, Kirkham were up for the challenge ahead. In the first half, due to the extremely wet conditions, both sides used the kicking game to try and establish good field position before attacking with the ball in hand. Rhys Hulse and Ollie Davies fielded the QEGS's kicks very well and Kirkham soon took control in this area. Kirkham scored three tries in the first half through Seb Kelly, Ollie Davies and Oliver Greenwood. All of which were successfully converted by Davies making the half time score 21-0. In the second half, Kirkham started well and scored a fourth try through James Stacey, also converted by Davies. However, following this score, Kirkham found themselves on the back foot for the next fifteen minutes, mainly due to handling errors and penalties. Eventually, Kirkham started to progress out of their half and were awarded a penalty. With a kick to the corner, Kirkham drove the lineout over to score their fifth and final try through hooker Jack Austin, converted by Davies. Wakefield eventually got a chance to try their catch and drive lineout and were rewarded with a try of their own. Final score 35-5 to KGS.

Saturday 14 October 2023

KGS 2nd XV v QEGS Wakefield

Kirkham Grammar School 2nd XV (pictured left) travelled away to Wakefield with the hope of following in the 1st XVs footsteps after their successful away win in the cup. Kirkham started strongly, showing some beautiful skill, scoring some great team tries with Sam Littler getting on the end of two of them. Another well worked try, following some individual brilliance from Archie Iddon, meant George Atherton dotted down in the corner. QEGS rallied the troops and managed to drive over leaving the score 17-14 to KGS at half time. The second half started with Kirkham giving away some soft penalties. This gave QEGS some good field position and they managed to keep the pressure on and edge in front with another try. Kirkham didn't manage to respond after a would be try that was called back for a forward pass. Unfortunately, some more penalties for offside again put QEGS in the driving seat and they got over for another. Kirkham showed some great determination and fight but it was too little too late and QEGS finished off the match with a late penalty. Final score 28-17 to QEGS.

KGS U16s v QEGS Wakefield

The U16s (pictured at the top of this page) travelled to QEGS Wakefield in which was a highly anticipated fixture. Having played tough games in recent years against the Yorkshire side, the boys were fully prepared and ready for a difficult game. Kirkham began the game as well as they have started all season. They put in a near perfect first half implementing lots of detailed, structured attack. Milligan, Kelso and Gildea all scored a brace of tries as Kirkham were to reach 50 by the final whistle. However, Wakefield did score several tries against Kirkham, but it wasn't enough to stop the momentum throughout the game. Final score 14-54 to KGS.

KGS U14s v QEGS Wakefield

Kirkham Grammar School U14s put in a commendable performance against a physical and rather large QEGS Wakefield side. From the off, the Yorkshiremen used their size advantage to good effect, with their winger scoring two tries early on. However, credit to KGS, they stuck well to the task in hand which resulted in a try for Jack Kelso. QEGS continued to dominate the play and added two more tries before the break. Kirkham showed excellent resilience taking the game to QEGS in the second half and created many opportunities to score, particularly in the wide channels through Leo Paraskeva and Jack Gillett. Unfortunately they couldn't convert any. In the dying embers of the game, having tackled their hearts out all game, Wakefield's pressure finally told with them scoring two well worked tries resulting in the visitors taking the spoils 46-5. KGS should be proud of their efforts and particular mentions for Karter Virdee, Harry Walls and Charlie Taylor, who stood up to the opposition all game. On Tuesday, KGS travel to AKS to play their second round Lancashire Cup match. Final score 5-46 to QEGS Wakefield.

KGS U13s v QEGS Wakefield

Kirkham Grammar School's U13 match against QEGS Wakefield was a fantastic advert for U13 rugby. The lead changed hands several times as QEGS snatched the spoils with only two minutes remaining. The first half was virtually all Kirkham, although a one try each score line did not reflect Kirkham's dominance at half-time, Josh Walker-Bassham the scorer for KGS. QEGS came back into the game in the second half to take the lead but Kirkham, who looked organised in defence, managed to keep the visitors at bay and eventually took the lead with tries by Torrin Anderson and Captain, Harry Lawson. However, QEGS came back and a couple of missed tackles unfortunately allowed them to score two late tries to take a narrow win. Final score 15-20 to QEGS Wakefield.

KGS U12s v QEGS Wakefield

Kirkham Grammar School U12A played against QEGS Wakefield in their first away fixture for the school. Kirkham faced the strongest team they had played so far this season and resisted the attack for large parts of the game. However, QEGS were able to break through on a number of occasions in the first half meaning the score in the first half ended 25-0. Kirkham conceded two more tries before finding some much needed energy to score two tries through Isaac and Noah. QEGS scored twice more before the final whistle was blown. Final score 45–10 QEGS Wakefield. 

Kirkham Grammar School U12B team also played away against QEGS Wakefield. They played well in a tough game with tries scored by Pagnillo, Ingram (2) and Duckett scoring a hat trick. QEGS quickly got back into the game in the second half by dominating the ball and controlling the game. Final score 30-30.

Saturday 14 October 2023 - Kirkham Grammar School U10/U11 Hockey v Cheadle Hulme

Kirkham Grammar School hosted Cheadle Hulme at UCLAN Sports Arena. The combined U10 and U11 groups (pictured left) formed two teams with plenty of hockey played in quarters rather than halves. This gave all the girls the opportunity to play in a variety of different playing positions and reflect upon each quarter played. Both teams took lots of positives away from the fixture and embedded their hockey knowledge of the rules. The teams demonstrated their work rate and team spirt in the high energy games.

Pupil Achievements

Lancashire Schools FA U16 Boys selection

Congratulations to Kirkham Grammar School Fifth Year pupil, Dan (pictured left), who has been selected to represent Lancashire County Schools' Football Association U16 boys for the 2023-24 season. The squad won their first match 5-1 against Cheshire last Wednesday. The U16 boys will play their next match on Saturday 11 November 4.30pm kick off at Poolfoot Farm Sports and Leisure Complex against Merseyside. 

Good luck for your next match, Dan and team. 

Pupils perform at Blackpool's famous Tower Ballroom

This weekend, Kirkham Grammar School J1 pupils, Honor, Matilda, Chiara, Claudia and Cara (pictured right) performed in the Langley's 'In the Spotlight' dance show at the world famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom. Honor also performed a singing solo.

Well done to you all. 

Cricket Awards

Congratulations to J4 pupil, Henry, who was awarded U11 Coaches' Player of the Year and Junior Wicket-keeper of the Year at Kirkham and Wesham Cricket Club's End of Season Awards Presentation.