Heaton Moor Junior Colts suffer two-point defeat to Kirkby Lonsdale

HMRUFC 10-12 KIRKBY LONSDALE

Heaton Moor Junior Colts fell to an agonising two-point defeat in tight encounter with Kirkby Lonsdale in a game in the balance right up to the final whistle.

The Stockport lads made the brighter start and within four minutes Tom Whitehead crossed for a try after a move which spread from one wing to the other with some brilliant rugby displayed.

Heaton Moor dominated exchanges in the first half and Tom Eaton got the reward after 20 minutes to put them 10-0 up.

Shortly after, scrum-half Dom Rafferty was forced off after twisting his knee, replaced by Finn Blakeborough.

Kirkby Lonsdale then pulled a try back just before half-time to cut the deficit to five.

The second half was a different matter as a very determined Kirkby Lonsdale pinned Moor back in their own ’22 for the first 20 minutes.

Resolute defence from Moor had  seemingly ridden out this storm but a high, speculative kick was misjudged and the visitors scored a deserved try and converted to take the lead for the first time.

Having got their reward, and their lead, they were then forced back for the last ten minutes of the game as Heaton Moor tried, in vain, to get the decisive score but Kirkby Lonsdale held on for a deserved victory .

Heaton Moor are away to Liverpool St Helens next as they attempt to get their first win in the Conference League.