With the two teams in tenth and eleventh, with the halfway point of the season approaching (two more rounds of games after this weekend), and only ten teams staying up at the end of the season, a must win game for both teams.

After losing their first four games, with some high scores against them, Leek had picked up try scoring bonus points against Rossendale and Blackburn, followed by a narrow double bonus point loss to high flying Anselmians, and last weekend another double bonus point loss in a high scoring game at previous tenth placed near neighbours Stoke. A win in this game and then against bottom Birkenhead Park in a fortnight could have seen them climb out of the bottom two.

After the big loss last weekend with a string of injuries, there was concerns for selection coming into the game. Leo Mercer (collar bone) and Ben Dixon (hamstring) were out, as was Steven Nelson, but Dan Shorrock returned, as did Matt Houghton, who had not been available last week.

Shorrock and Mark Carruthers moved into the centre with Jack Lane (Lancaster University) and George Philipson taking their places on the wing.

Matt Houghton went to No.8 with Dane Blenkharn moving to 6 and Patrick Wolstenholme starting on the bench, with his brother and Tom Keast. In Ben Dixon’s absence Matt Houghton Captained the side, with Glenn Chesher as vice captain

Sixteen of Leek’s eighteen man squad had come through their mini and junior teams, whilst twelve of Kendal’s squad had done the same

The threaten rain had passed before kick off.

Kendal made almost the perfect start. A good kick through from Aaron Stephens was not fielded by Leek, and instead George Philipson gather the ball and beat an attempted tackle to score under the posts. Aaron Stephens added the conversion. 0v7 after just three minutes.

Leek came back and kept the ball alive through a number of phases of play, but the Kendal defence held firm.

The scores were levelled up after ten minutes when the Leek scrum half jinked through a gap following a ruck to touchdown, for a try that was converted . 7v7

Leek took control keeping the ball for long periods and making sure Kendal could make no progress when they had the ball. Aaron Stephens put through more good kicks, but the good work was wasted by missed tackles letting Leek players make long breaks.

Despite their dominance Leek could find no way through the Kendal defence and were made to pay at the end of the half.

On a rare attack, the ball was moved wide to George Philipson who went over for his second try to give Kendal an unlikely 7v12, against the run of play.

At half time, Patrick Wolstenholme replaced Jack Blocksidge, who had picked up an injury.

Leek started the second half in the same way as they had played most of the first half, and when awarded a penalty, went for the posts, after deciding not to do so when awarded one in the first half. 10v12

Kendal were forced into a change after six minutes, when Mark Carruthers was forced off. He was replaced by Tom Keast, but unlike last weekend neither Keast or Patrick Wolstenholme, found themselves in the back line, with Alistair Thompson, moving back.

Shortly afterwards Nathan Wolstenholme came on for Joe Anderson in a tactical change

Having weathered the early storm, Kendal came back with their best period of play, keeping the ball through multiple phases, which saw the referee signal a number of penalty advantages, but they were not needed, as with few options available to him, Matt Houghton went for the line and powered over. Aaron Stephens added the conversion 10v19

Shortly afterwards more good play saw Kendal on the attack again. Ollie Rose found his way blocked and instead rolled a kick though to the posts. A Leek player seemed to have it covered but the benefit of a low kick on damp ground worked in Rose’s favour, as the Leek player failed to control the ball and instead just knocked it over the try line, and all Rose need to do was dive on the ball for the try, with Aaron Stephens again adding the conversion. 10v26

Five minutes later, the Kendal fowards were slow to get to a breakdown, allowing Leek to turnover Kendal ball, but it was all to go wrong, as Dan Shorrock, playing in the centre, anticipated a long pass and plucked it out of the air to intercept. Despite a slight hesitation whilst he waited for a whistle for offside which never, he was away and under the posts. Aaron Stephens made no mistake with the conversion. 10v33.

Shortly after Shorrock turned provider An excellent weaving run from near halfway was stopped near the line, but Patrick Wolstenholme was rewarded for managing to be in support, and scooped the ball up to force his way over from short range. No problem for Aaron Stephens again. 10v40.

This saw a further change with Joe Anderson returning in place of Glenn Chesher.

Leek pulled a try back and with only ten minutes to play took the conversion quickly, to allow time for two more for a bonus point,

Kendal were however not finished. Patrick Wolstenholme made a powerful run down the right. The ball was moved wide with forwards and backs looking to keep the ball alive. From a ruck on the left near the line, Joe Anderson timed a run perfectly for a pass, and on the move at short range there was only going to be one outcome, try Anderson. Aaron Stephens added his sixth successful conversion. 17v47.

Leek came back and won a string of penalties and finally a player went over for a third try, but the referee had seen enough and Kendal widened the gap to the bottom by five league points. Also overtaking Stoke again. 24v47

No game next week but in a fortnight a local Derby against Penrith,. in a return to Mint Bridge for the first time in six weeks, and a win in that game could see Kendal go above Penrith.

==

It was pointed out to me late on (as I had missed it until then) that the team were wearing the old traditional kit.

Maybe they should keep doing so for the rest of the season, if this is the impact it makes

MAN OF THE MATCH

Aaron Stephens

TEAMS :

ACTION

OTHER RESULTS

TABLE

SECOND XV

Lost 10v38 - but still a good effort against a team who have only lost once this season with so many playing for the First XV .

WASPS
First free weekend in five with no game scheduled for the Wasps after their cancellation of the game at Blaydon last Saturday

They are back at Mint Bridge on Sunday next weekend (when there is no First XV game scheduled) for the return game against Birkenhead Park. The away game was won very late, so could be an exciting one – hopefully with a full squad to select from

SENIOR COLTS
Away at Wigan