A return to League rugby after the five month gap, and on paper a tough opening game against the team who finished the League in fourth place last season, but pre-season games suggested this was an improved Kendal team.

Something else that had improved was the Mint Bridge weather with a warm dry afternoon (hopefully more to come at Mint Bridge this season), but despite this a disappointingly small crowd, but those who stayed away missed a very close game.

No Matt Houghton, who is out for up to six weeks having picked up an injury at Wharfdale last weekend. Greg Wrathall had picked up a similar injury at Kirkby Lonsdale, whilst lack of match time, saw Alex Ryder travel with the second XV to Eccles.

Ollie Rose came in for his debut at scrum half, with Devin Coyle on the bench. Jack Blocksidge was at hooker and Tadhg Butler in the second row. An encouraging sign was eleven of the starting eighteen had come through the Youth section, including recent graduates Oscar Coxon and Patrick Wolstenholme who started from the bench.

The team came out in a new kit (better than the old changed one, but not sure what the need for a change was ?).

There was a minutes silence before the game for Ian Wilson (and possibly others) who sadly will not be with us this season.

In a repeat of a number of games last season a poor start. Wirral’s kick off was returned with a poor kick which gifted the visitors early possession from which they won a penalty, which was advanced when someone spoke out. From the lineout Wirral set up a drive, and with the referee signally advantage for another Kendal indiscretion, the ball was moved out for a player to crash through a gap to score, 7v0 with the conversion, after less than two minutes.

Kendal came back but several times shot themselves in the foot losing their own lineout. Whilst Wirral did well to disrupt, at times it appeared they could read the lineout calls better than Kendal players.

This allowed Wirral to dominate, but it took until quarter of an hour of play for them to score again. Quick re-cycling saw play moved from right to left for a try, and the conversion was added from near the touchline. 0v14

Kendal finally got on the scoreboard just before the half hour. Joe Anderson managed to get his hands on Wirral ball, and forced a penalty, which Aaron Stephens converted. 3v14

Kendal were forced into a change with Dini Noyo forced off with Devin Coyle coming on and going onto the wing.

The good work was undone by a third Wirral try from a lineout following a penalty. 3v19

Kendal finished the half strongly, and Wirral conceded a string of penalties, from which Kendal chose to go for scrums. One was messed up, only to be let off by the Wirral scrum half who had come around far too early, and seemed fortunate to escape a card, following the earlier penalties. From the resulting scrum Steven Nelson picked up, and whilst Wirral knew was coming, there was nothing they could so as he powered over for Kendal’s opening try, which Aaron Stephen converted, to see Kendal going in at half time only 10v19 done, despite Wirral playing well, and them making too many errors.

At half time Dini Noyo returned and Oscar Coxon came on for Tadhg Butler

Again Kendal started poorly and the gap was extended after seven minutes with another Wirral try from a penalty lineout 10v26 with the conversion.

Last season Kendal had fought back to win from a large deficit, and this time the fightback started in odd circumstances. Kendal were on the attack in the Wirral twenty two, only for a pass to be intercepted by (or accidentally passed to) a Wirral player. What appeared a very good kick was put down field and Dini Noyo did well to get to it. Instead of just putting the ball to touch, he set off on a counter attack. The ball was moved from the left to right where Ben Dixon made ground, before releasing Dan Shorrock, and when Shorrock was caught Dixon was in support to take the scoring pass. Aaron Stephens added the conversion. 17v26.

It soon got even better. Oscar Coxon stole Wirral ball in mid-field, and got the ball away to Glenn Chesher. Instead of just putting his head down and taking the defence on, he found Dini Noyo with a pass, and Noyo accelerated away from the Wirral defence for a try which Aaron Stephens converted. 24v26.

The comeback was completed shortly afterwards. From a penalty lineout the pack drove for the line. It appeared as if the referee was looking to see if the ball was grounded or held up, but instead he decided Wirral had intervened illegally and set off for the posts to award a penalty try, and returned to yellow card a Wirral second row.

Sadly there was to be no repeat of last year’s victory, and despite being reduced to fourteen, it was Wirral who took control and added another try from a lineout drive following a penalty, to tie the scores. Their outside half then added a touchline conversion for the second time to give them the lead.

There was still quarter of an hour to play, but this was the final score of the game.

Both teams had chances, but some handling errors and more lineout problems, meant Kendal could not re-establish control.

Kendal made a number of changes, with a worry for forthcoming games was centre Luke Atkinson hobbling off, with a number of others having come into the game with injuries.

Wirral were on the attack in injury time, but rather than look for a further score which would have taken away Kendal’s losing bonus point, they were happy to put the ball dead to seal victory.

A mixed performance from Kendal, too many errors in the first half, but when they started moving the ball quicker they showed what could be done. Handling errors should be resolved as the team get more used to playing together. The lineout problem needs to be addressed quickly, as it gifted Wirral easy ball and meant they could put the ball to touch in the hope of getting it back again. The fact the same thing has happened to so many different players in the No.2 shirt, suggest it is those in the line as much as the throw causing the problem. After the game it was suggested shortened lines, or just getting the ball into the lineout could help.

Oscar Coxon played well when he came on. Ollie Rose had another good game, whilst Dini Noyo and Dan Shorrock looked sharp when they had the ball.

Wirral looked a good team and will be aiming to build on last season’s top four position, but owed their victory to their outside half's two touchline conversion.

For Kendal three points dropped at home, in what could be a tight league, but if the errors can be sorted out it should still be a good season

Next weekend a trip to Rossendale who started their campaign with a big win

Despite a few errors, possible when unsighted, young referee Andrew Shaw, had a good game, making clear who was in control.

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OTHER RESULTS

Are Anselmians' looking for promotion or Blackburn to avoid relegation ?

Otherwise more or less as expected