A return to Mint Bridge in the League for the first time in six months for the First team (the last home game being Harrogate at the end of March), and despite a heavy loss at Stockport last weekend, a lot of positives from the performance with the new recruits looked useful additions to the young squad.

A few changes to the squad from last weekend. Joe Anderson from holiday in place of Owen Slater on the bench, whilst new recruit from Sunderland Chris Rochelle replaced Dan Shorrock. No Barney Coxon, so Finn Kennedy who had played well after coming on at Stockport, started with young New Zealander Dylan Douglas, who had played well for the Second’s last weekend, taking Kennedy’s place on the bench.

The opposition Macclesfield, had won the League three seasons ago, then had a tough season in the West Country in National League Two South, before returning North and finishing third last season, but a rota return to the South had been rejected, and they had been demoted. Unfortuantely, a large part of their squad had decided to take opportunities’ at a higher level, so this was a new look team, but had won well against newcomers Dronfield last weekend.

A fifteenth game between the two teams since they first met in 2003, and the visitors had had the better of previous results, losing just one and drawing one.

A bright sunny afternoon and Macclesfield kicked off towards the river end.

The opening exchanges were even, before it all went wrong for Kendal after five minutes. A lineout was won in the Macclesfield half, and the ball moved wide, only for Macclesfield Captain and centre Harry Blackwell to anticipate the pass, and intercept to go in for the opening try, which right wing Thomas Jennings converted. 0v7.

Macclesfield had a second after ten minutes. A Macclesfield kick was knocked on by Kendal, giving them a scrum. Kendal were penalised and the kick put to touch, Macclesfield won the lineout and moved the ball. There were a number of let offs for Kendal, as players went for the line themselves, rather than look for spaces outside, but finally Kendal ran out of tacklers and wing Tomas Jennings went over then converted his own try. 0v14

Seven minutes later Kendal were back in the game. This time Macclesfield made a handling error and Aaron Stephens gathered the ball which was moved to Ben Dixon who kicked ahead and chased his own kick, but was just beaten to the ball, only for Macclesfield to make another handling error to give Kendal a scrum. Everyone probably knew a No.8 pick-up was coming, but what Macclesfield had not appreciated was jsut how fast Patrick Wolstenholme is, and he was over almost unopposed. 5v14.

All the good work was immediately undone with another Kendal error. Too long was taken with the return to the kick-off and the Ollie Rose’s kick was charged down for left wing Billy Birkett to go through to score, with Jennings further extending the lead with the conversion. 5v21.

It looked as if Kendal had pulled another try back when Ben O’Halloran powered over, but the referee decided he had lost the ball when tackled over the line.

The second Kendal try was however not long in coming. Macclesfield were conceding a string of penalties for high tackles, and seemed fortunate that the referee had not taken further action. Aaron Stephens put a kick to touch and the ball was won. Despite having a weight disadvantage the Kendal pack drove for the line, then quickly moved the ball to left wing Liam Barr to score. Aaron Stephens kick from near the touchline bounced back off the post. 10v29.

Finally after half an hour the referee’s patience did run out, and repeat offender back row Philip Laing was yellow carded for the latest high tackle.

The penalty was put to touch, the lineout won, then rather than put the ball across the backline, Ollie Rose put a long flat pass to Alfie Bradshaw who was over for a try under the posts, only for the conversion kick to fail. 15v29.

This saw Kendal make two changes with Joe Anderson and Dylan Douglas replace Finn Kennedy and Toby Merrick.

Kendal could not make their extra numbers count, and Laing was back before halftime with no further score.

Kendal dominated the early exchanges in the second half but could not add to their score, with a number of opportunities missed with passes being knocked on or the ball lost in some robust defensive tackles.

A Kendal move was stopped on the line by a deliberate knock-on which gave Kendal a penalty, but the referee took no further action, but when it happened a second time, fullback Daniel Leake was yellow carded, but the referee decided it had not prevented a try so no penalty try, to the consternation of several of the Kendal players.

It did not matter as the subsequent lineout was won and the pack rumbled to the line with hooker Angus Knight credited with the try. Aaron Stephens added the conversion and the lead was down to six points 22v28

More changes for Kendal as Chris Rochelle came on and Finn Kennedy returned for Liam Barr and Joe Anderson, whilst Toby Merrick returned for Dane Blenkharn.

Five minutes later with ten minutes to play Kendal had the lead. Macclesfield gave away yet another penalty and the kick was put to touch. The lineout was won, but Macclesfield offended again and from the second lineout the pack again rumbled to the line and again Angus Knight was credited with the try. Aaron Stephens added the conversion 29v28

Macclesfield came back and in possibly their first visit to the Kendal half since half time, a kick was put to the line and mis-fielded forcing the ball to have to be touched down to give Macclesfield a scrum on the line. Their pack forced a penalty, possibly looking for a penalty try. Despite only being a point behind, they did not take the kick and gambled on a second scrum, which paid off with number 8 Joseph Bunting crossing for the score, which replacement William Davies converted. 29v34 with five minutes to play.

Kendal made a final change with Isa Muschamp replacing Dylan Douglas.

It was clear a number of the Macclesfield pack had run out of steam and there was a string of “injuries” to run the clock down and allow them time to take a breath.

Kendal looked for the match winning try, and several times players were through but were hunted down and could not get the ball away.

In added time, Angus Knight made a break down the left wing into the Macclesfield twenty two, only for a following player to give away a penalty. The kick was put to touch the lineout won and the ball put to touch again to end the game.

So a disappointing outcome to a game Kendal could have won convincingly if they had not made errors, but a really positive performance looking much improved on last year, with so much more to come as the new look team bond, with Angus Knight and Finn Kennedy again seeming excellent signings to fit with young stars who have come through the Colts,

Next weekend back at Mint Bridge, for the re-arranged game against Leek, who this weekend got a narrow win away at promoted Vale of Lune.

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TABLE

SECOND XV :

Birkenhead Park 0 v 87 Kendal
Tries: D Shorrock (5),C Lees (2),M Cousins,M Saunders,D Philp (2),K Cousins,O Griffin
Conversions: M Cousins (11)

CUMBRIA CUP

The next round of the Cumbria Cup (Semi-Final) has been drawn and after two home ties last season it is another away game, with a trip to Hawcoat Park (Barrow), on 30th January (assuming there are no League postponements due to weather).

I think we have only played them once before, and that was also in the Cup in 2014/15 when we won 31v7 at Mint Bridge (they had beaten us 22v19 in a pre-season game in Barrow a year earlier).

A very rare visit to Barrow, which in earlier times was a regular trip. Furness were played 160 times (home and away) and Vickers 112 times, but the last games were in 1992 and 1997

From comments on Faceache, it appears Ben O’Halloran’s dad played for Hawcoat Park, so possible some family interest.

The Winners will face the winner of Penrith vs Aspatria or Wigton in the Final