U12 rugby v KGS - Mr Hayden reports

To view some excellent pictures taken by Mr Cowburn of the U12s and year 10 student, Matthew Swallow, please click here to go to Arnold School TV.

A successful term's rugby drew to a conclusion for the Under 12s with a hard fought match against Kirkham Grammar School. With conditions feeling almost tropical in comparison with the week before, Arnold began the game in good spirits and the forwards began to put their opponents under pressure. However, Kirkham's excellent scrum half/fly half combination were soon into their stride and looking to move the ball wide with every opportunity. Excellent hands and quick running from the visitors troubled the Arnold backs all morning, and had it not been a tackling masterclass by Oscar Gavin, the game may have been out of sight by half time.

However, with a well worked try the visitors took the lead and with their fly half in irrepressible form Arnold did well to pressure their forwards and claim a line out on the 22. As the Kirkham scrum half attempted to fire another bullet of a pass to his number 10, Captain Alexander Douglas took advantage of the briefest of delays to intercept and cross the whitewash for an opportunistic try.

However, Kirkham hit back straight away with a superb piece of wing play and the momentum had swung again. At the start of the 2nd Half Arnold upped the ante and really tested the visitor's defence. Ryan Evans was stopped a foot from the line and Josh Moreau was twice stopped by sterling defence by the Kirkham team. With a real ding dong battle taking place on their own 5 meter line, the Kirkham Fly Half showing superb individual skills turned defence into attack and in the space of 3 minutes had scored twice to put clear water between his team and the hosts.

As the second half moved on, the game became somewhat fractious and the Arnold forwards began to gain a measure of control. With Jack Worsley, Matthew Clayton and Michael Stourton becoming increasingly influential, the Arnold rolling maul became more and more evident. (A tactic I have little doubt will become all the more effective in future seasons.) Josh Moreau got over for a well worked Forwards try and the Arnold lads deserve credit for their wholehearted and disciplined approach to the game. They lost to a very good side, but as they have all term, the lads worked hard, gave of their best and were a credit to their school. I want to thank them for their hard work and enthusiasm and hope they all enjoyed their first taste of senior school rugby.

Posted by: M L Evans
Date: Monday 12/12/2011

  • U12 rugby v KGS - Mr Hayden reports