Following three encouraging performances, including their first win of the season against Leek last weekend, Kendal travelled to face a Wirral team who had won all their three opening games, two away from home, but these had been against teams currently in the bottom four, whilst Kendal’s losses had come against teams still unbeaten in the top four.

Just two changes to the team from last weekend. No Matt Houghton, so Dylan Douglas got his first start, whilst Dan Shorrock and Liam Barr swapped places with Shorrock starting

Wirral had eleven in their starting line-up who had come through their Player Development system, whilst seven of the team had made over 100 appearances. Their halfbacks had returned to the club after being in the National Leagues with Caldy last season, whilst two new recruits had come from Rugby League

Kendal started well but yet again conceded early due to an error. A lineout was secured on halfway, but when the ball came out a pass was fumbled, giving the ball to Wirral, who quickly moved the ball wide and with the Kendal defence out of position, right wing Will Morris got the opening score after just four minutes 5v0

There was another blow for Kendal when Oscar Coxon was forced off with shoulder injury, which saw a debut for young New Zealander Mitch Saunders.

After ten minutes Aaron Stephens narrowed the gap with a penalty 5v3.

A string of poor Kendal box kicks gave ball back to Wirral, and after fifteen minutes Kendal were punished. One went straight to touch and from the resulting lineout the ball was moved wide to left wing League recruit Rafa Van Osselaer for the second try 10v3

After the score Oscar Coxon was able to return

A string of missed tackles gave Wirral an opportunity to further extend their lead. Scrum half Tom Akhurst made a long break and whilst stopped the ball was re-cycled and back row James Reeve found a gap to go through for the score. 15v3

Both teams had been penalised by the referee for high tackles and when he was the latest culprit, Joe Anderson was yellow carded.

To make things worse the penalty was put to touch and in a simple planned moved the ball was won, immediately returned to the front of the line for a try from hooker Matty Ringer. Despite being the most difficult of the conversions, outside half Rhys James put the kick over from near the touchline 22v3

Shortly afterwards when there was a scrum and in Andersons’ absence Dylan Douglas had to be replaced by Owen Slater.

The referee had made a number of odd decisions against both teams, and another one came when Wirral moved the ball wide near the line. Against a two man overlap, Dan Shorrock instead went for a flying one handed interception. The referee gave a scrum for the knock-on, rather than a penalty for a deliberate knock-on, and it could have been worse with a potential yellow card and penalty try.

However with the Kendal scrum under pressure, Wirral were to get their try. Rather than go for the drive, the ball was moved quickly for scrum half Tom Akhurst to dart through for a try. 27v3

Joe Anderson and Dylan Douglas returned.

Kendal had a chance for an opening try in added time. The ball was moved to Zane Butler who powered to the line but was stop by a tackle. In previous weeks someone would have been with him for the scoring pass, but summing up the strangely lacklustre performance, players instead held back and the penalty was conceded.

Kendal made a good start to the second half and almost had their opening try. Angus Knight broke through to the line but was unable to ground the ball, giving Wirral a goal-line drop-out.

Kendal made a change with Ben o’Halloran coming on, with Aaron Stephens going off. Ollie Rose moved from fullback to outside half.

After a quarter of an hour Wirral extended their lead with a second try for Tom Akhurst following a scrum, and Rhys James added the simple conversion. 34v3

Kendal made another change with Liam Barr coming on for Dan Shorrock.

Kendal had another chance, with Joe Anderson opening the Wirral defence with a powerful run, taken on by Toby Merrick, but when the ball was recycled the pass to Liam Barr, took him to touch.

Finally after twenty minutes Kendal got their try. From a scrum Patrick Wolstenholme made a break and whilst stopped he was able to get the ball away to Dylan Douglas, to go over. With Aaron Stephens off Ollie Rose attempted the conversion. 34v8

Oscar Coxon went off again to be replaced by Mitch Saunders.

Just after the half hour Wirral got a further try. Following a lineout the ball was moved, hooker Matty Ringer went for the line and whilst stopped short was able to reach over to touchdown. 39v8

Reece Tomlinson and Owen Slater came on for Patrick Wolstenholme and Dane Blenhkharn, with Slater joining Mitch Saunders in the back row.

With the final action of the game Kendal got a second try with Toby Merrick going over. 39v13.

Wirral looked a good team and were good value for their total, and if it had not been for the poor kicking the margin could have been even wider.

After Kendal opened the season with three really positive performances, the wheels came off in the first half, with too many errors and missed tackles, which allowed Wirral to build their lead. The second half (lost just 12v10) was much better, but still not to the standard of previous games. Zane Butler and Angus Knight again played well, and the real positive was yet again the lineout went well, despite the injury to Oscar Coxon.

Next weekend Blackburn, who moved off the foot of the table with a 48v8 win against Dronfield. So the team will need to bounce back and return to their previous high standards. Concerns about the fitness of Oscar Coxon and Aaron Stephens who both had to go off.

MAN OF THE MATCH :

Patrick Wolstenholme

TEAMS :

OTHER RESULTS

TABLE

SECOND XV :

Better news with the team recording a 24v12 win over previous top Blackburn 2

Tries: Evan Beattie, Liam Hayton, Anthony Gage, Mark Carruthers
Conversions: Mckenzie Cousins, Chris Rochelle (2)

TEAM

WASPS :
No games until November

SENIOR COLTS :
Face Furness in the League on Sunday afternoon kick off 2.00pm

ELSEWHERE
Someone asked last weekend how Penrith (who went down) and Kirkby (who came up) are doing

They are in different Leagues.

After a big 66v14 win against Sunderland on the opening weekend, Penrith then went down 62v48 away at Percy Park (top) and last weekend lost 33v24 away at seventh placed West Hartlepool

Kirkby have yet to win, losing 52v40 at Widnes (3rd), 12v29 at home to Wilmslow (7th); and 19v36 at home to Warrington (8th)

I was also asked if Steven Nelson was playing this season ?

The answer appears to be Yes, still at Aspatria who are now in Cumbria 1 with Wigton; Carlisle and St Benedicts. He scored two of Aspatria’s four tries in a 24v20 win against Carlisle,

A very even league with five of the eight involved having won two of their three games. One of Aspatria’s wins was a walk over against Egremont, and their loss was against Whitehaven

This weekend they play a team we will encounter in the Cumbria Cup in January, Hawcoat Park from Barrow (who someone explained to me were previously the Vickers Sports Club, a regular fixture of Kendal teams of the past)