A first trip to Dronfield, between Sheffield and Chesterfield in Derbyshire. The game was originally due to be at Mint Bridge, but the logistics of clearing the car park after the Community Fireworks the night before, meant it had been switched, with Dronfield now visiting Mint Bridge after Christmas.

Dronfield started the day bottom of the table, but it was close as they were only four points behind Blackburn in eighth (safety) and only six behind Kendal in sixth. They had also had a tough start to the season with their losses coming against so far unbeaten Macclesfield; Stockport and Anselmians, plus Wirral who had only lost once, as well as Blackburn. Despite losing heavily to Anselmians last week, they had only been three points behind at half time, and even taken the lead early in the second half.

Kendal made two changes after the success at Bowdon last weekend. Dane Blenkharn was with the Second XV at Mint Bridge, whilst Alistair Thompson was not involved this weekend. Matt Houghton returned in the back row, with Toby Merrick stepping up from the bench to the second row, with his place taken by Liam Barr, who had been with the Second XV last weekend.

Dromfield took an early lead with a try, following missed Kendal tackles. 5v0

Kendal came back and narrowed the gap after a quarter of an hour, with an Aaron Stephens penalty 5v3.

Kendal then quickly took the lead. Ben Dixon was in quickly to compete for the ball, and forced a penalty, which Ollie Rose put to touch. Oscar Coxon did well to gather the throw, but this seemed to disorientated Dromfield, as the Kendal pack then steamroller them over the line, leaving Angus Knight with the easy job of touching the ball down for the try. 5v8

Kendal’s were forcing Dronfield into conceding a number of penalties. With the referee playing advantage, Aaron Stephens put a long pass to Zane Butler, he was stopped near the line and his pass to Patrick Wolstenholme was intercepted, but the referee came back for the original penalty. This was put to touch and again the pack tried to drive for the line, but Dronfield pull the drive down. The ball was recycled and Joe Anderson bullocked his way over. Aaron Stephens added the conversion and Kendal appeared to have a comfortable lead. 5v15

Dromfield however showed whilst struggling without the ball, when they had it they could keep it and recycle through multiple phases without errors.

A few missed tackled in midfield left Aaron Stephens marking a three to one overlap and having committed him to a tackle, the ball was moved for a try 10v15

More quick recycling then added a third try to bring the scores level. 15v15.

An odd restart as the kick was fumbled by the catcher and bounced into a player standing in front of him, who was penalised by the referee for offside, despite not knowing anything about it. Ollie Rose put the kick to touch, but again Dronfield managed to disrupt the Kendal drive.

Joe Anderson had taken a knock so came off with Finn Kennedy coming on, and the scrum stayed strong, and even managed a few drives on the Dronfield put in.

Whilst the Dromfield place kicker was having an off day, failing to add to any of the tries, he waq s putting in some excellent hanging kicks, which whilst Kendal, players gathered well, they were quickly tackled. Kendal were also struggling to keep hold of the ball, with it lost in the tackle several times, whilst a number of penalties were conceded for failing to release the ball when support was slow to arrive.

As the half came to the end Kendal had their best spell keeping the ball in hand through multiple phases, but when it came to nothing, the referee brought play back for a penalty and rather than look for a lineout drive, Aaron Stephens was given the kick which gave Kendal a slender lead at half time. 15v18

Kendal made a further change with Greg Jones came on for Toby Merrick.

Ten minutes into the half Dronfield re-took the lead. Two penalties gave them a opportunity to drive from the lineout for a score which this time was converted 22v18.

The lead was short lived. Ben Dixon made a break and whilst stopped the ball was recycled and moved left where Angus Knight (?) found himself in space to go over for a try. 22v23

The lead was quickly extended. Arron Sullivan managed to get in to attempt to steal Dronfield ball, forcing them to concede a penalty, which Aaron Stephens put over 22v26

Dronfield came back and had a long period on attack going through many phases without an error, but the Kendal defence was equally solid. When awarded a penalty Dronfield took the points 25v26.

Kendal brought on fresh legs with Dan Shorrock and Liam Barr coming on for Zane Butler and Chris Rochelle.

The turning point came with just under fifteen minutes to play. Aaron Stephens spotted a gap on the left touchline and rolled a long kick through. However instead of going to touch to give a lineout near the line, the ball came back in field and rolled over the tryline. This then worked in Kendal’s favour, as Ben Dixon had chased it and managed to get a hand to it first. Some uncertainty but not for the referee, whose arm went up to award the try, then to make things even better Aaron Stephens put the kick over from the touchline to open up a two score gap. 25v33

Kendal brought on Zack Dodds, whilst Joe Anderson returned.

Dromfield went looking for a further score, but crucially Kendal also had a period of attack in the Dronfield half, keeping them away from the line, and whilst Dronfield were tiring, the Kendal defence was now tenacious.

There was one last chance to snatch a bonus point, but when the pass went to touch, the referee had seen enough and blew for time.

Yet again it is clear there are no easy games in this League (as results elsewhere this weekend show) So whilst both were close games, two important away wins in a week leaves Kendal in the top half of the table, before a break next weekend, then the tougher challenges of Anselmians and Rossendale away to come before the end of the month.

MAN OF THE MATCH

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TEAMS :

OTHER RESULTS

An afternoon of unexpected results

Leek got within a point of Macclefield, Bowdon beat Rossendale and Vale beat Blackburn (possibly less of a shock)

Wirral eased past Rochdale and as expected Anselmians vs Stockport was close but the League leaders keep their 100% record - we try to take it in a fortnight.

TABLE

SECOND XV :

WON : 34 v 12 against Kirkby Lonsdale

WASPS :
Are away at Carlisle for the re-arranged game, following the postponement a fortnight ago (confirmed by the Carlisle website)

The Cougars started the season with a 93v12 loss away at League pacesetters Stockton Rockets and then a 7v72 loss in the Cup to Ryton (3rd in the Championship North 2), but last weekend won 22v5 against Harrogate.

SENIOR COLTS :
Not mentioned on the Facebook site, but may also have an away game at Aldwinians this weekend (according to elsewhere on this site)

Both teams have two wins from their first two games in this “Conference”)