U14's Kendal V Preston (H) Again...

A welcome dry morning down at Mintbridge saw the u14's finish strong.
Kendal started really strong with a try inside 30 seconds from the back of the scrum through captain fantastic and our newly crowned players player of the year Zack. Who gave the fans what they wanted with a trademark run and score to give kendal the lead. Preston hit back almost straight away with another forward who crashed over to level the scores - conversions were missed by both sides, early score 5-5.

Another U14 thought since its the last game of the season I might as well give the fans a trademark try also, only this time through Ben G who showed why we call him soapy as he slipped his way through the Preston line leaving them all scratching their heads as he teleported over the line for the score. The kendal pack worked extremely hard for this try creating pods and making ground over the gain line phase after phase which laid the platform for Ben G to slip in for the try. The conversion was successful from Ollie making the score 12-7 to kendal. From this Preston really came to the Party and showed why they were cup finalist down in the red rose county. Scoring three strong tries through some good hands and not to mention some really strong running from especially from their number 8. This led to the half time score going into the sheds 12-28 in favour of the visitors.

The second stanza got underway, the first 15 minutes of the second half was all Preston with Kendal camped down in their own 22 for all of this period. From a coaches point of view it was excellent to see the u14's not conceding under this constant pressure as eventually defence won and Kendal managed to get their hands on the ball for the first time of the second half. This was abruptly cut short as the Kendal backs tried to move the ball quickly from an attacking scrum, this was well red by the hoppers defensive line with an interception as they went under the post for the first try of the second half to move the score to 12-33 in favour of the visitors.

The best thing to see as a coach was when I went behind the posts to chat to the team after this try, if you'd of asked me a year ago that we would still believe in our ability to come back into the game at this deficit I wouldn't of believed you. We as a team have had this belief in games this season with comeback wins against Keswick and todays opponents Preston. The kendal u14's fully believed they could get back into the game and that they did. Ben G crossing again, and from the side lines I can't even explain how he got through but as reliable as presents on Christmas Day he came up with the goods to score a try for a well deserved double in a fantastic game for Ben G.

Again just like the first half the Kendal forwards got a spring in their step and worked very hard for the next two scores for kendal with Connor crossing for a try, by channeling his inner winger as he ran with purpose down the wing to score the try. Double tries came in quick succession for Kendal with Joe following Connor over for the score with another strong run, this was Joes first season at the club and this try was well deserved with his work all year, he has been great addition to the team and a pleasure to coach - all second half tries were not converted by kendal.

Final Score: Kendal 27 - Preston 31
5 tryies a piece - all tries by forwards.

This was the last game of the season for the U14's as we close the curtain on our season down at Mintbridge, we've come on leaps and bounds from our first game and with a big pre-season around he corner I'm sure next season will be memorable one, for the by then u15's. Thanks to all the players this year for their hard work in training and in matches it has been a pleasure to coach you all this season.

Finally another big well done to our award winners from the presentation evening on Friday night: Zack, Ollie and Henry all well deserved winners.