A second attempt this season at Friday night rugby under the lights at Mint Bridge, again against Kirkby, and after the Cup game was spoilt by the weather, this time a cold dry night saw a bumper crowd, with it appeared a good support from the visitors, see a close entertaining game, with the final scoreline possibly flattering Kendal with the visitors probably having the majority of ball and territory, but finding a solid defence and a Kendal team who were able to convert their chances into points.

The Kendal team had a good mix of youth and experience, with Jordan Johnson in the backs and Chris Evans in the forwards making a lot of ground whenever they had ball, but Evans young back row colleagues Evan Beatie and Oliver Griffin showed they are ready to step up when some of the First XV move toward the end of their careers. There was also an appearance off the bench for another promising young player, L. Hayton – could go far !

In recent years the team has struggled due to an ever changing lineup – not helped by a number of players going straight into the First XV, but for a third weekend it was a little changed starting line

Kirkby, with the wind on their backs in the first half, had the better of the opening exchanges, with the Kendal team penned in their own half for much of the first half hour.

The opening score however went to Kendal. Started by a good run down the wing by scrum half Charlie Elbourne. 5v0

Possibly the try of the evening came five minutes later, back row Oliver Griffin broke a tackle in midfield and then powered away at speed from near halfway. Jordan Johnson added the conversion. 12v0.

On halfttime Chris Evans added a third Kendal try from short range. 17v0

The opening try of the second half went to wing Dafydd Philp, again started by Charlie Elbourne who ran a Kirkby kick back down the left before the ball was spread wide to the right. Jordan Johnson added the conversion. 24v0

After twenty minutes Kirkby got their opening score. Kendal won a lineout in their own twenty two, but a poor pass saw the ball go loose, which was taken for the score which was also converted. 24v7

Five minutes later the lead was restored, following a lineout, Chris Evans who had stood in the back line, a was on hand to take a pass to power over from short range. Jordan Johnson adding the conversion 31v7

Five minutes later Kirkby got a second try from close range which was again converted 31v14.

Kendal had the final score. A problem all evening had been passes going astray in the backline, not helped by the wind, but this time Jordan Johnson managed to hold on to a poor pass, and then used his experience to plot an indirect line to outwit the defence for the score. Scrum half Charlie Elbourne added the conversion. 38v14

Kirkby finished the game attacking on the Kendal line, but found a solid wall preventing them adding to their score.

The Second XV could teach their First XV how to win a lineout, with a string of textbook simple takes, with hooker Charlie Lowther another who had a good evening with ball in hand in attack and also in defence.

Team