This week - in keeping with the ‘win a game lose a game’ philosophy of the 3rds for this season - saw ‘kirk beat Wigan 36 points to 20. Knowing that Wigan, after good results so far this season, were likely to be a bigger challenge than last year Kirk were fired up and eager to put on a show for the near capacity crowd.
Again as two weeks ago they were the only team at home and with close to 40 people on the touchline the pressure was on. With a few changes from last weeks line up and players playing out of position it was a surprise that kirk started uncharacteristcally well. An early penalty led to Wigan taking a 3 point advantage but this lead was to be short lived. After the kirk forwards secured good ball from the restart Jackson and Staniforth linked well in centre, full back Liversidge joined the line and a precsion pass to Critchley who caught the ball one handed whilst in full flight (something he completes 3 times out of 10) led to score in the corner. Shortly after this the crowd again had another score to cheer as debutante Lee Coulson from Edge Hill University scored in the opposite corner, and just in case anyone had missed it he scored again some 15 minutes later (what a find for the 3rd team). Mark Jackson returning from a loan spell in the 2nd team after being unable to agree personal terms did what he does best and ran through a couple of tackles from the half way line to score under the posts. Wigan did manage a consolation try which led to score being 24 points to 10 at the turnaround. Tactical changes at the break saw Arkwright replace Liversidge and O’Farrell replace Critchley. In a much tougher second half against the wind Kirk’s defence weakened slighty but with everyone giving their all they tackled their hearts out. Coulson scored his third try mid way through the half (he was let off the jug buying on the understanding he makes himself available next week). With tiredness creeping into the legs kirks defence succumbed to two trys both unconverted bringing the score to 31 to 20. Did kirk now have something to worry about the crowd thought, of course not, they were just having a breather before the final onslaught which saw Nick Roper (a prop) score from about 25 yards out. The crowd went wild (well some of them clapped loudly), the players hugged each other, bathed together, drank all night together, slept seperately, and they all lived happily ever after, well until next weeks game at Bolton (not the Reebok).
