Blues Move into Top Three

Sat 28th Nov 2009, 02:15 PM
12 Garstang - Kirkby Lonsdale 3 5

Garstang Blues maintained their strong league form with another hard fought win.  Last weekend the team crashed out of the cup with their first defeat since early September but this time out they just about had enough to overcome a spirited Kirkby side.

The game started with the Blues in the ascendancy but too many mistakes meant that they were unable to create any decent scoring chances.  With about 15 minutes gone they lost Phil Brighouse who had to leave the field with a rib injury, he was replaced by John Outram.

The heavy pitch was making things difficult for both sides and that coupled with some rather unusual officiating meant that the game struggled to flow.  On the half hour mark Jimmy MacLennan mad a scything run through the middle before being dragged down just short of the line.  Unfortunately, in the tackle he injured his shoulder and had to leave the field of play, he was replaced by Graeme Slater.

Soon after Garstang scored the first try.  From the set play Scrum Hlaf Simon Whittingham ran a dummy switch with Richard Mayhew before popping it up to Phil Peck in midfield.  He broke the first tackle and released Adam Nickson who had enough pace to get over in the corner (0-5).  The past few weeks have seen a welcome return to the form which made him a 1^st team regular twelve months ago.

There were no further scores at the break so Garstang knew that a slender 5-0 lead was going to be tough to defend given the fact that they were playing up the slope in the second half.

Most of the half was a frustrating affair as the breakdown was not being controlled by the referee which gave both teams an opportunity for a free for all which was certainly not conducive to attractive rugby.

With just a quarter of an hour to play Kirkby ‘scored’ a very bizarre try.  From a quick tap penalty the referee blew his whistle to indicate that he was not ready, everybody stopped bar the Kirkby layer who went over the line.  The referee decided to give it stating that he would have given a penalty try anyway!  It was a shocker of a try to give away but the facts of the matter were that the game was now 5-5.

This score galvanised Garstang and they came back at Kirkby with a renewed vigour.  Some superb running and interplay between the backs created an opportunity for Ben Kelsall who cut inside and went over for a dramatic late winner.  To celebrate he did an acrobatic back flip and landed on his feet which must have been the most spectacular play of the day!  Gorsty added the extras to make it 12-5.

The Blues comfortably managed the last couple of minutes to secure a fine 12-5 win which moves them up to third in he table.

Team:  Cross, Brighouse, Pendlebury, Raby, D.Bosson, Lambert, Kelsall, Walton, Whittingham, Mayhew, Nickson, Peck, MacLennan, Gorst, Bettaney.  Replacements:  Outram, Slater, Brown, Sparkes, Robinson.

On Saturday the 1^st XV are away at Windermere, the Blues are at home to Ormskirk 4ths and the Lions are playing away at Hawcoat Park.