Rugby Richard III in a dramatic Kirkham win DOMINANT captain and No.8 Richard De Carpentier scored a hat-trick in Kirkham Grammar School’s resounding 49-10 win over Merchant Taylors. He opened the scoring before scrum-half Sam Kindred got a try and centre Alex Spratt glided through for a fine solo score. Fellow centre Tommy Banks did likewise and De Carpentier added his second. Merchant Taylors responded and scored tries either side of half-time before winger Tom Bowden got the scoreboard ticking again for KGS after good work by fly-half Daniel Bibby and full-back Joe Brown. De Carpentier, who has been selected for North of England Under-18s, completed the try-scoring and Brown converted all seven tries. Against the same school, the second XV defended well but lost 11-5 as they failed to convert possession into points. Tries The under-16 XV won 44-5 despite conceding the first try. James Gardiner brought them level with the first of his two tries after a fine run by John Platt. Front-rowers Daniel Smith, Matthew Bennett and Elliot Walker were menacing, while Matthew Edgar and Chris Travis posed problems and Wickus Coetzee scored twice before half-time. He added two more after the break as did substitute Benedict Fulford-Brown, his second the try of the match set up by Coetzee. Henry Redshaw, Robert Parr and than Harvey also caught the eye and Jamie Roper landed two goals. The under-12 A XV lost 35-5 but scored the first points of the season against this Merchant Taylors team. Lewis Leach scored the try but the Crosby side were 25-0 up at half-time. The under-12 B lost 36-7, having trailed 19-0 at the break. Oliver Bedford scored a fine try converted by Jack Pound. VICTORIOUS: Kirkham Grammar School’s first XV Kings rule in the derby King Edward and Queen Mary School triumphed at all levels in the annual clash with local rivals Rossall School. Four tries by George Cornes from Marton and a debut try from Lytham’s Pearse Carson helped the KEQMS Under-15s to a comfortable 48-12 win. Ansdell’s Ralph Dowds scored a try on his debut in the under-14s 39-12 victory. Tom Higham (2), Nathan White, Connor Miles, Emilio Arciniega and Jordan Middleton also scored tries. The first XV won 32-15 with tries from Cooper (2), Taylor, Williams, Dickinson and Holland. The under-12s also conquered the blustery conditions for an epic 50-38 win. Down 29-10 at half-time, they eventually ran in 10 tries as Lytham’s Matthew Radley scored three and Scott Arthur of St Annes two. Rowley, Harper and Tartaglione also crossed the line and St Annes boy Tyler Douthwaite sealed the victory with five conversions. The biggest celebration was reserved for the under-13s, who won for the first time this season by beating Rossall 34-14 with an outstanding display. The entire team shared the man of the match honours and thanked Fylde wing star Oliver Brennand for the additional coaching he has given to the players. Richard Chesters tore a hamstring just before half-time and had to be helped from the field by the players. Fortunately, KEQMS Principal and experienced referee Robert Karling was spectating and stepped in to referee the second half. POWER TACKLE: From Ralph Dowds Fleetwood RU (U16s) 55 Rochdale 5 A close encounter was expected but Rochdale’s front-row shortage resulted in uncontested scrums. Forwards Danny Maher, Ben Ruddlesdin and Tom Hird put Fleetwood on the front foot straight away and stand-off Stephen Preston scored the first try. Rochdale came back strongly but Preston raced 80 yards for a second try to instigate a free-flowing Fleetwood assault. No.8 Adam Dawson ran in two tries in quick succession, while full-back Tom Speed dealt with all Rochdale’s kicks. George Worthington, Jack Foden and Alistair White were all outstanding and man of the match Maher burst through for the next try. Flying centre Kris Phillips scored the final try of the first half but brave Rochdale started the second-half strongly and deserved their try. Fleetwood rang the changes, with Henry Turner and James Evans making their mark as Dawson ran in a hat-trick. Phillips’ second completed the try-scoring. Tom Evans and Tom Speed shared the goals as Fleetwood stretched their unbeaten run to eight games. Fleetwood Squad: Birks, Cameron (capt), Dawson, J Evans, T Evans, Foden, Hird, Maddern, Maher, Morgan, Phillips, Preston, Railton, Riley, Ruddlesdin, Speed, Street, Teale, Turner, Webster, White, Worthington. Arnold home and dry ARNOLD School’s rugby teams fought hard for victory at home after all their away matches fell victim to the weather. And they did not disappoint, winning three of the four fixtures against the traditionally strong Manchester Grammar School. The first XV recovered from 15-0 down to lose narrowly 15-11. David Reed’s penalty against the wind was Arnold’s only score of the first half but they could not quite compete the comeback despite Julian Richardson’s try. Tom Hart was outstanding. A depleted second XV were inspired and prop Tom Harrison scored the only try of the match. Two penalties from the boot of Liam Hill and some outstanding defence sealed the 11-0 win. The under-12s continued their encouraging start to the season. The A team won 17-10 thanks to tries from Oliver Smith, Jake Higson and Mitchell Bolus. Joe Welch and Callum Yates both scored twice in the B team’s 24-10 win. Scorps blow ’em away Eccles Salford Juniors 0 Blackpool Scorpions 34 ScorpionS kept up their impressive run at the top of the table as Manchester were swept aside. Frankie Campbell opened the scoring with a barnstorming run down the left and Callum Prue added a length-of-the-field try. A great passing move resulted in a try of the season contender from winger Matty Stowell. The dominant Joe Phelps enabled Jordan Tierney to dive over and Prue scored his second after George Higgins, Thomas Downing and Tierney all linked up well. Conversions by Phelps and Tierney made it 28-0 at half-time. Eccles did rally in the second half but Scorpions defended superbly and a Jordan Curtis try, goaled by Joe Roberts, sealed the victory. Outstanding for Scorpions, who are second in the league having lost only once, were Higgins, Tierney and Clinton Neal but man of the match was Joe Roberts. Email us and tell us about your stories!