A final game of the season for the First XV, and the task could not be much tougher with an away trip to League Champions Heath, who had only lost in the League once all season, and that was with a losing bonus point away at second placed Alnwick, who have not lost at home all season.

A few changes for Kendal with no Joe Anderson; Alfie Bradshaw or Dafydd Philp. Connor Lea came into the front row, Liam Barr came onto the right wing, and Aaron Stephens dropped back to inside centre, with Tommy Scanlan getting a first start at scrum half. Matt Houghton started from the bench with Johnny Swallow starting. There was a debut on the bench for promising Colt Isa Muschamp.

A day of odd weather, with sunny spells punctuated with occasional heavy showers, but it stayed dry throughout the game.

Heath went off fast, clearly looking to celebrate their Promotion in style, and the Kendal team did well to hold them out.

Heath finally opened the scoring after twelve minutes. Centre Callum Harriott-Brown, who had already made a number of powerful runs, finishes off a move to score in the left corner. With a strong cross wind even Chris Johnson could not add the conversion 5v0.

Heath continued to dominate, with their powerful forwards making a lot of ground with strong running, however there were also chances for Kendal, but Heath’s defence was as strong and committed as their attack.

The second try came from another good run from Harriot-Brown, and was finished by left wing Jake Hayes. Again out wide so no conversion 10v0.

More good handling put Hayes in for his second try three minutes later. Again too wide for a conversion, 15v0

The Kendal team kept creating chances of their own, with Liam Barr making several good runs, but each time the defence was too strong.

The more powerfully built (but also fast) Heath pack was getting on top, and drove over for a try by hooker Alex McFadden. This time closer to the posts and to the right, so Chris Johnson was able to add is first conversion. 22v90

This triggered a double change for Kendal bringing on Ben Leacock and Matt Houghton, for Patrick Wolstenholme and Dane Blenkarn

The final try of the half was the hat trick for left wing Jake Hayes (although I had it as a second from Alex McFadden). No conversion so 27v0 at half time.

Kendal continued to press at the start of the second half, but could not get a break through

Heath extended their lead after ten minutes with a try for fullback Jack Bruce, after good handling following a penalty lineout.

After a quarter of an hour Kendal made another change with Isa Muschamp making his debut in place of Alistair Thompson on his 200th appearance.

Kendal continued to look for openings, Tommy Scanlan seemed through but was brought down with an ankle tap. Oscar Coxon and Johnny Swallow, made ground several times, but the defence held firm. Ben O’Halloran and Aaron Stephens were also often testing the Heath defence.

The next try went to Heath right wing Elliott Spiers, with Chris Johnson adding a second conversion 39v0.

The final try came from an excellent cross field kick from Chris Johnson. It looked as it would be a walk-in for the chasing Heath player, but instead Liam Barr got back to take the ball and tried to counterattack, but was caught and dispossessed for a try by back row man Dylan Brown, (making only his second appearance in an otherwise highly experienced team). Chris Johnson added the conversion 44v0

Unfortunately Barr who had again played well was injured in the move, so Alistair Thompson returned in his place. Patrick Wolstenholme also returned for Matt Houghton, but Houghton was soon back in place of Ben O’Halloran.

No more scoring, but Heath against looked a class above the rest in this League, but despite the scoreline another fully committed performance from the young Kendal, who so often this season have raised their game when playing the top teams.

Just four and a half months to go until the start of the new season. We already know there will have to be some changes, with some players moving away, and others contemplating retirement, but there is no doubt on this performance, that there is plenty of young local talent waiting to become established in the team. So despite the disappointing final League position, the future looks bright

An indicator of the experience in the two teams.

Heath showed their squad's total appearances against players names in the programme

Their eighteen totalled 2424 appearances (before the game - and that was only for Heath, so Chris Johnson's career total will be much higher), Kendal's eighteen totalled just 1398

It was the lowest average age of a Kendal squad this season at 23.6, the starting lineup was just 22.8 - the total season average was just 25.2

(this are based on players ages at the start of the season or their debut. So will have risen slightly now)

MAN OF THE MATCH

Oscar Coxon

ACTION

TEAM :

OTHER GAMES

Some unexpected results (although as I predicted two of them, may be not that unexpected)

TABLE

Sandal's win over Driffield sees them move above us into seventh.

Middlesbrough's unexpected win over Harrogate, see then get the the home play-off (I had not realised but if Sandal had lost they rather than Middlesbrough may have been in the play-off) despite York also winning,

NORTH WEST (MIDLANDS)

Lots of permutations in the West (North Midlands), but there will be a local Derby (after being kept apart this season) with Huddersfield defeating Anselmians 36v26

Stockport get the chance to take Anselmians on in the play off after beating Burton 28v14

At the bottom Wirral could only get a draw 12v12 against Rochdale, so they are the away team in the play off, with Manchester getting the home tie following their loss to Blackburn 50v23, it would not have mattered as Bowden got the win they needed away at Leek to avoid being dragged into a play-off 19v22

At the foot of the table relegated Long Eaton won 31v49 at bottom placed Derby, so two teams we will not see, if we are moved leagues again next season.

SECOND XV :

WON 14v36 away at Liverpool St Helens

Fylde got a Home Walkover against Tarleton to keep the pressure on before next week's BIG game between them at Mint Bridge

Southport who a fortnight ago conceded 90+ points against the Seconds this weekend won 78v17 against Littlebrough

WASPS :
No Game this weekend – back with their last Home game of the season against Liverpool St Helens a week on Sunday

Then have an away game against Halifax to come.

SENIOR COLTS :
Are at home to Preston Grasshoppers on Sunday kick off 2.00pm

PGH to the table with a 100% record of 10 from 10, 342 scores and only 83 conceded – so like the First XV a tough task