Kendal 31 (17) v (14) 28 Moortown

A third and final warm up game. The weather was totally changed from the soaking at Aspatria last weekend, with a warm sunny afternoon, in the attractive surroundings of Windermere Rugby club, as Mint Bridge facilities were not available due to a wedding there.

A stronger team than last week, with Dan Shorrock starting and Lewis Kincart on the bench, whilst new recruit from Carlisle Joe Anderson started in the front row. Steven Nelson had picked up an injury in training so dropped out as a precaution, with Dane Blenkharn coming in.

An odd start as when Kendal went for a quick throw in, the ball was knocked on by the Moortown fullback who was yellow carded. It looked as he had simply being trying to take the ball.

Moortown dominated the early proceedings with Kendal forced to defend, only for totally against the run of play for Kendal to take the lead. Moortown were on the attack near halfway, when a pass went astray, and Kendal centre Ignacio Cisint, gathered and evaded tacklers to score, with Glen Weightman adding the conversion. 7v0

Kendal came more into the game and extended their lead after quarter of an hour. Glen Weightman took a penalty quickly and Dan Shorrock made a break down the right and whilst stopped on the line, he was able to get in position to reach over the line to touch down. 12v0

This was the score at the twenty minute drinks break.

Early on the Kendal lineout had been going well but early in the second period, a lineout was lost and the ball was moved to the Moortown back division, Dan Lowther seemed to have got across to make a try saving tackle, but the ball was passed out of the tackle for the No.9 to score the try which was converted. 12v7.

The next score after eleven minutes also went to Moortown to give them the lead. Dan Lowther gathered a long Moortown kick down field, but his clearance kick was charged down and ball fell for Moortown, with their No.1 finally going over. 12v14

With five minutes of the half to play Dini Noyo was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle.

Despite being a man down, Kendal scored again with the last play of the half, to take a halftime lead.

The pack forced a scrum penalty, disputed by some scrumaging experts in the Moortown back division, and the same Moortown backs then failed to deal with Glen Weightman’s long kick which trickled to touch, to give Kendal an attacking lineout on the right. The ball was won and moved into midfield where Danny Barker powered through, and when stopped the ball was quickly moved back to the right, where Dan Lowther committed the defence before releasing Dan Shorrock for his second try. 17v14

Kendal made a number of changes at halftime with Chris Park replacing Danny Barker (with Dan Lowther moving into the centre); Mark Carruthers replacing Glen Weightman; Lewis Kincart replacing Jordan Johnson, Mckenzie Cousins (?) replacing Dan Shorrock (who returned when Dini Noyo’s yellow card period ended) Dan Reid replacing Joe Anderson and Liam Hayton replacing Dane Blenkharn (there may have been more I missed)

Kendal extended their lead after five minutes. From a penalty lineout the pack drove to the line where Joe Lashley broke away to touchdown. Chris Park’s conversion sailed through the centre of the posts 24v14

Six minutes later Kendal had a fifth try. Again there were problems in the lineout with the ball being lost, but the forwards managed to steal it back, and this time it was Glenn Chesher who broke away from the drive for the try, and again Chris Park added the conversion 31v14.

This was the score at the end of the quarter.

Reece Tomlinson and Glenn Chesher went off to be replaced by Barney Coxon and Tadhg Butler. Danny Barker and Dini Noyo also returned.

A bad start for Kendal as after a minute Moortown broke down the left, and whilst Dini Noyo got back, his tackle was again dangerous, and a yellow card followed – it appear Dini realised the implications before the referee and waited for the red card to follow and Kendal were down to fourteen for the last twenty minutes.

Moortown almost immediately exploited the gap on the left wing for a try, this time Robbie Collinson got across to make what appeared a crucial tackle, but the ball was got away for the try, which was converted. 31v21.

When Moortown added another converted try five minutes later to narrow the gap to 31v28, they looked the likely to go on to win, but Kendal held out for a narrow victory.

There will need to be significant improvements before next week’s tough league opener at Sandbach, especially as the team will still be missing key players due to injury.

The lineout problems need to be sorted out, and discipline improved with the penalty count reduced and challenging refereeing discussion eliminated.

Ignacio Cisint and Joe Anderson look good recruits, whilst Joe Lashley played well. There could be some competition for the scrum half shirt, with Jordan Johnson having another good game, only for Lewis Kincart to come on and play equally well.

The good news is a number of the missing are still at the club, but the bad news is Ben Dixon, Greg Wrathall and Matt Houghton are all currently injured, and Matt’s is a long term one, recovering after an operation.

Next weekend the First XV start their season away at Sandbach, but the seconds are at home to Sedgley Park.