An opening fixture against the team who last season failed by the narrowest of margins to take the title, was always going to be tough. New signing outside half Glenn Wightman was still not fit, so Nathan Wooff continued at outside half, with Matty Houghton and Tom Voke getting the two back row spots.

Kendal made a dreadful start, failing to gather the Birkenhead Park kick off, conceding a converted try within the opening two minutes, and seeing first Matty Houghton leave the field with an arm injury, then Dan Lowther forced to limp off with an ankle injury, within the first ten minutes, as Kendal tried to get back into the game.

Despite this and having to defend against some excellent Birkenhead Park handling, Kendal were back on level terms within twenty five minutes, with a short range try from last year’s top scorer Garry Holmes, excellently converted by Chris Park. 7v7

Then possibly slightly against the run of play Kendal then took the lead, with a try by outside half Nathan Woof, who was in support, after excellent breaks and inter-passing from Liam Hayton and substitute wing Jordan Johnson. 12v7

Birkenhead Park pulled a late penalty back, but Kendal should have been pleased with their half 12v10 lead.

Despite a strong Kendal start, it was Park who took the lead with a penalty five minutes into the second half, but Kendal came back with tries from first James Gough, then James Thompson, to open up a 22v13 lead.

Park struck back with a converted try, but at the end of full time Kendal looked to have sealed victory with a Liam Hayton try 27v18.

The referee however had other ideas, with Birkenhead Park adding what seemed to be a bonus point winning penalty three minutes into stoppage time, but then continuing with play. Park threw everything at the Kendal defence, but were kept well away from the try line, and when the forwards stole Park ball, Leo Mercer was on hand to happily hammer the ball into touch to end the game 27v21, and send their supporters home (or to the bar) with a smile on their face, after an excellent game.

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Kendal		Birkenhead Park

Chris Park	15	Dave Hall
Alistair Thompson	14	Matt Doolan
Mark Carruthers	13	Joe Spencer
Dan Lowther	12	Danny Rich
Leo Mercer	11	Mike Chapman
Nathan Wooff (19)	10	Peter White
James Gough (C)	9	Sam Chidley

Duncan Green	1	Gareth Jones
Garry Holmes	2	Rob Doolan
Richard Harryman	3	Jay Davies
Liam Hayton	4	Laurence Thomas
Rob Wightman	5	Jack Ashcroft (C)
Matty Houghton	6	Ollie Mabbott
Tom Voke	7	Jurguen Moquett
James Thompson (17)	8	Dave Ibbotson

Jordan Johnson (10)	sub
Billy Coxon (16)	sub
Rhys Studt (18)	sub

Score	Team	No	Name	Time	Kendal	BP

Try	Birkenhead Park	?		1	0	5
Con	Birkenhead Park	?		2	0	7
sub off	Kendal	6	Mattie Houghton	2	0	7
sub on	Kendal	18	Rhys Studt	2	0	7
sub off	Kendal	12	Dan Lowther	9	0	7
sub on	Kendal	10	Jordan Johnson	9	0	7
Try	Kendal	2	Garry Holmes	23	5	7
Con	Kendal	15	Chris Park	24	7	7
Try	Kendal	19	Nathan Woof	30	12	7
Pen	Birkenhead Park	15		33	12	10
= = =	= = =	= = =	HALF TIME	41	12	10
Pen	Birkenhead Park	15		46	12	13
Try	Kendal	9	James Gough	51	17	13
sub off	Kendal	1	Duncan Green	65	17	13
sub on	Kendal	16	Billy Coxon	65	17	13
Try	Kendal	17	James Thompson	68	22	13
Try	Birkenhead Park	?		73	22	18
Try	Kendal	4	Liam Hayton	80	27	18
Pen	Birkenhead Park	15		83	27	21
= = =	= = =	= = =	FULL TIME	86	27	21

Referee : Martin Denvir (Cumbria Referees Society)

PHOTO : Try scorer James Gough. One of a number of players who had an excellent game.