Match Preview

For the first time in many (20+ ?) years Kendal come into a Cumbria Cup tie as underdogs, playing possibly their highest ranked opponents this season (a win and a later tie against Kirkby could change that)

Yet another away game, as there has not been a Cumbria Cup game in Kendal since Hawcoat Park at the start of the 2014/15 season. We have even played Carlisle’s at their ground since then, in a dramatic tie later that season, and were there again last season for the narrow loss in the final against Penrith.

Another link to that season is today Steven Nelson joins the ranks of Kendal back row men to play in the back division (Chris Downham played on the wing in the game against Hawcoat Park), but some of us have already seen him in the centre in the Cup, as he was there for St Benedict’s as they brought Kendal’s run to an end that season.

On paper an inexperienced team with a number of players possibly making first XV debuts, but six of the team started in the Cup Final against Penrith at Carlisle at the end of last season, whilst another three were on the bench that afternoon.

Billy Coxon and John Dervey return to the pack, which will hopefully help it win more ball than at Blackburn a fortnight ago, and it looks a very mobile pack, assuming it can win ball.