Warrington 2nd XV Lose To Kirkby Lonsdale 2nd XV

Warrington 2nd XV 12 Kirkby Lonsdale 2nd XV 27

With both sides fielding a blend of youth and experience the teams were evenly matched in the set piece but the Kirkby Lonsdale back division showed enterprise and more cohesion throughout the game and were a constant threat with ball in hand. This threat was demonstrated early on when no less than three counter attacks would have resulted in tries but for poor finishing.

Neither side was able to establish territorial dominance and Warrington were grateful to veteran Sean McDermott, who contrived to relieve pressure with some long kicks. Unfortunately, the follow-up chasing put little pressure on Kirkby Lonsdale who ran the ball back with gusto. One of these counters bore fruit in the 20th minute when a clean break from the Kirkby centre took them to within 5 yards of the Warrington line. Quick recycle from the breakdown was fed to the wing and this time there were no dropped passes to rescue Warrington.

Despite some stalwart tackling by centre Andy Almond and back rowers George Percival and Kirk Drummond in particular, Kirkby’s back division ran in two more tries to take the score to 0-17 at the interval.

From the restart Warrington were unable to clear their lines and Kirby scored with a driving maul from a line out just 5 yards out. Warrington bounced back immediately, however, gaining a scrum just 15yards out from the Kirkby line. A quick ball and an impressive jink from centre Almond, who then wrong footed the full back with a well-weighted grubber kick, put Warrington on the scoreboard. Matt Rockey converted. For the next 15 minutes Warrington contained the visitors in their own half but were unable to score. Kirby then added a further try after a succession of penalties kept Warrington at their end of the pitch.

A number of minor knocks necessitated numerous positional changes for Warrington but the arrival of Harry Stevens at centre was a positive. The youngster provided some elusive running but in the end, with just 5 minutes to go, it was back rower Drummond, taking a nice line from 10 yards out, who went over for Warrington’s second try.

The closing minutes saw Warrington battering at the Kirby line with as much vigour as they had displayed all match but to without result.

Captain Craig Byrne was optimistic in his appraisal, commenting, “The second half was a big improvement and, when the lads are more familiar with playing with each other, our defence will improve. We need to play for 80 minutes with same intensity we showed in the last 10.”