Heaton Moor 17 Kendal Jnr Colts 14

Lancashire cup Semi-final Day and our squad headed to Heaton Moor on a cold crisp day. Both teams lead their respective leagues and the outstanding game that ensued was a testament to the individual skills and coaching of each side.
Kendal were fairly tentative initially with a few unusual simple errors, however the home side settled quicker and got a converted score on the board early doors. Our lads though started to gain some pressure and got over the line a couple of times without registering any points: Zak knocking on when stretching over the line as he was tackled and an offload from Iddy being deemed forwards. Despite these missed opportunities, we kept going and late in the half, a scrum near the opposition line saw Harley pick and go up the blindside for a well deserved try in the corner. Charlie – who kicking was tremendous all day – slotted the conversion for 7-7 half time score.
Heaton Moor came out with some intensity in the second half, scoring a well worked try with an acrobatic diving score in the corner for 12-7 lead. Both teams were giving everything: Heaton Moor combining strong runs and a clever kicking game to our strong forward play, solid defence and combining with the backs to pressure the home sides resilience. Charlie gave us number of lineouts deep in the Heaton Moor half with his boot, however we just couldn’t get over.
Charlie tried a penalty from 50m – only dropping about 1m short of the bar. Harley tried another pick & go, but this time an excellent tackle from the 10 stopped him short, but with defeat looming, we eventually made the breakthrough: Isaac getting over out wide with Charlie making the clutch kick for 12-14 lead and everyone checking their watches for full time.
Heaton Moor gained a penalty, choosing the straightforward kick with what would be the last play of the game and the 3 points for the win. However, the ball clipped the outside of the post and of the many outcomes that would have resulted in a Kendal win, in the pandemonium, we conspired to gift the ball back, losing a try in the opposite corner for a 17-14 loss.
It has to be said that each and every player gave their all: doing Kendal proud and earning plaudits for our spirit and skill from the opposition.