Kirkby survive difficult season

KIRKBY Lonsdale created headlines for suffering a pointless 2022/23 that included a 190-0 defeat but thanks to the RFU’s algorithm, they were informed last week that they had survived this season’s Regional 2 North West following another difficult campaign.

The Cumbrian side suffered a world record loss to Blackburn in a 30-try humbling that was the nail in the coffin of their relegation down to level 6 after conceding 1,423 points in 19 games.

James Hadwin’s side have endured another tough season with just seven victories picked up from 22 outings which saw them finish in the bottom two in 11th on points difference, as they appeared to have lost out in their bid to beat the drop to Douglas (I.O.M).

However, due to Jersey Reds’ liquidation, Kirkby were handed a reprieve as they were announced by the RFU as the best 11th placed side, and were therefore rewarded with survival and another crack at Regional 2 North West next season.

Head coach Hadwin told The Rugby Paper: “The last couple of years have provided a real knock of confidence in the group. We started well this season but lost a few players to injuries and like most clubs had problems with availability. A couple of experienced players were added in and we started doing better.

“We had to beat three of the top four in the last few games of the season to have a chance of staying up. Doing that by being the best second bottom side in the country is nothing to shout about, but to have the same squad as last season where we were getting thumped every week and to now survive is a big achievement for us.

“We knew we had to win the last game with a bonus point and were reliant on Winnington Park not picking up any points but they won. I did all the maths to work out all the scenarios, straight after the game we didn’t know and were just waiting. On the Monday, our director of rugby Matt Hughes provided the news on a WhatsApp message which was a big relief.”