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Where Were We Now ?

Where Were We Now ?

Mark Hodgkiss27 Mar 2021 - 20:22
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https://www.kendalrugby.co.uk/

Week 19

Two home and two away, two wins and two losses

In a “change to the advertised programme” rather than take the final game of last season against West Hartlepool (as I suggested a few weeks back) I have instead gone for the last game at Mint Bridge, to avoid three away games.

If I am still doing this in five weeks time the West Hartlepool game may still feature (we are running out of games, but in some seasons we have still been playing in May - I do have a plan for the Summer, assuming there is not some form of real action to talk about)

7th March 2020
Malton and Norton (Home)
We should have been away at League leaders (Champions) York on this weekend last year, but events took over.

Visitors Malton & Norton came in to the game with a similar playing record to us, but were two places higher in the table, due to three extra try scoring bonus points

A serious injury eye injury to Danny Barker at Moortown the previous weekend, meant Steven Nelson moved from the back row into the centre, whilst Ben Dixon moved in the opposite direction with his place on the wing being taken by Nick Carlton. Lewis Kincart started on the other wing, with Joe Cook moving to the bench

Malton & Norton started with a strong wind, but it soon moved to cross field not helping either team.

Despite playing into the wind we started well, but could not breach the Malton & Norton defence and had to finally settled for a Glen Weightman penalty. The kick was kept low to go over despite the wind 3v0

Malton & Norton took the restart kick and we had to withstand a long period of pressure close to their line. Despite our scrum being under pressure they avoided conceding penalties, and Dan Greenwood was doing good work to ensure we retained ball on our own put in

Having withstood the pressure we broke away, but when awarded a penalty Glen Weightman decided to go for the post, and he put over the difficult kick 6v0

Again Malton & Norton came back and there was a good break down the left wing, which was stopped near the line. Steven Nelson emerged with the ball, but the referee decided illegally, giving the visitors a penalty, and sending Nelson to the touchline for ten minutes.

Despite the numerical disadvantage we continued to hold out to take a slender six point lead at half time.

Malton & Norton were out early, but were made to wait, and the extra few minutes indoors clearly did the team good, as they extended their lead within a minute.

From the kick off Malton & Norton tried to use the wind, but it backfired. Nick Carlton gathered the kick and set off on a good run. When he was stopped the ball was quickly recycled and Glen Weightman put a long rolling kick towards the Malton line. Lewis Kincart on the wing was quickly in hot pursuit, but looked second favourite, with players in front of him. The kick bounced well and he was able to tap it on slightly across the line to touchdown for the try. 11v0

A second try came after a quarter of an hour. Glen Weightman broke the defence near halfway and set off on a run. When he was stopped he got the ball away to Glenn Chesher, who looked as if he was going to get to the line, but was caught. The ball was recycled and Weightman, repeated the move, and this time there was no catching him, and he went over for the try then added the conversion. 18v0.

Again Malton & Norton took the restart kick, and we had to withstand a number of attacks near their line, but our defence held firm.

Back on the attack we made a multiple substitution, with Dane Blenkharn, Tom Moulton and Joe Cook coming on for Dan Greenwood, Robbie Collinson and Jordan Johnson, with Ben Dixon going to No.8, Logan Flett to hooker and Lewis Kincart to scrum half

A third try came after twenty minutes. From a scrum, Ben Dixon tidied up poor ball, and Lewis Kincart set off on a weaving run, only to be stopped close to the line. Steven Nelson was however on hand to take a pass and crash over for the try. Glen Weightman added the conversion. 25v0

Malton & Norton were looking increasingly desperate, and were moving the ball away from their strong pack, to a back division who looked far less comfortable in the gusty conditions. Glen Weightman took advantage to intercept a pass. The ball came out to Logan Flett who made long run and when he was stopped the ball was quickly recycled, and Ben Dixon showed his time on the wing had not been forgotten, powering down the touchline, managing to stay in field to touchdown.30v0.

Malton & Norton went looking for a consolation try, but we continued to tackle as if they were defending a slender lead, trying to end the game with no score against us, but it was not to be as with the last move of the game Malton & Norton went over on the right touchline, The conversion was taken quickly, but the referee had seen enough. 30v5

Despite scoring four tries the win was based on an excellent defence, often against waves of Malton & Norton attacks, and despite missing one of their solidest defenders in Danny Barker, who was still involved carrying the kicking tee.

15 - Chris Park
14 - Nick Carlton
13 - Mark Carruthers
12 - Steven Nelson
11 - Lewis Kincart
10 - Glen Weightman
9 - Jordan Johnson

1 - Glenn Chesher
2 - Robbie Collinson
3 - Logan Flett
4 - Greg Wrathall
5 - Chris Evans
6 - Ben Dixon
7 - Matt Houghton
8 - Dan Greenwood

rep - Tom Moulton
rep - Dane Blenkharn
rep - Joe Cook

28th March 2015
Kirkby Lonsdale (Away)
Second against third in a local derby, was always going to be tight contest, with Kirkby looking to avenge their loss at Mint Bridge earlier in the season, whilst we were looking for a double.

Bob Mataia had flown home in mid-week, so Ian Voortman made a first start of the season, with Billy Coxon making a return on the bench.

We made a mixed start. A handling error from the kick-off gave Kirkby an early scrum in the our twenty two, but the our pack disrupted the first scrum, then drove Kirkby off the re-set scrum forcing a penalty. Kirkby offended again from the lineout, giving us a lineout in the Kirkby twenty two, but the ball was turned over.

Play was end to end, with Kirkby seeming happy to use the wind in their favour to kick upfield and wait for us to make handling errors. This was almost punished when Nathan Wooff made a good break back upfield after gathering a kick, but the Kirkby’s defence re-grouped, and the move came to nothing.

The deadlock was finally broken after a quarter of an hour of play, when Ian Voortman was caught offside in midfield, and the penalty was slotted over.

Neither team could get a dominant position, partly due to a large number of handling errors. The referee was also often too quick to blow, rather than allow advantage, with a number of Kirkby opportunities to turn defence into attack, lost.

Kirkby doubled their lead after half an hour, after a lineout offence, with a further penalty added.

Kirkby were however soon reduced to fourteen men, when their hooker was yellow carded for dangerous play. We could not take advantage of the extra man, but Kirkby were then reduced to thirteen, when their centre was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on, to end an attack.

We finally went for the posts with the resulting penalty, but the kick was caught by the wind and drifted wide.

Despite being two men down, Kirkby continued to attack, and a kick through caused confusion in the our defence. When the ball was finally gathered, there was a wayward pass back, forcing the ball to be grounded for a Kirkby five metre scrum. Ian Voortman was yellow carded for his part in the ensuing melee.

From the scrum, it looked as if Kirkby had extended their lead, when the ball was moved to the right wing, but the referee decided to call play back for a forward pass, to keep us in touch at half time. 6v0

During the interval Billy Coxon replaced James Thompson, with Garry Holmes moving to No.8 and Duncan Green to hooker.

The second half started as the first had, but this time it was a Kirkby player knocking the re-start kick on.

We had the better of the opening play, but could make no ground.

After ten minutes we made a second change, with Chris Downham coming on to replace Dan Greenwood in the back row.

Just when both teams were back to full strength, Kirkby saw a third player sent to the touchlines with a yellow card.

Both teams continued to make handling errors, which slowed the game down. We continued to put pressure on the Kirkby line, but could find no way through, and were often been driven backwards by a frenetic Kirkby defence.

Having weathered the our attacks, Kirkby broke out, and when penalised a player spoke out, moving the penalty into the twenty two, but still close to the touchline. The kick went nowhere near the posts, but this turned out to be to Kirkby’s advantage. Ian Voortman failed to gather the ball, and when Kirkby re-cycled it, they found space on the left wing for an unconverted try, to set up a crucial two score lead. 11v0

We came straight back, and had one of their best periods of play, taking the ball down the left wing, but the move came to an end when Ian Voortman was penalised by the referee for foul play, and appeared fortunate to receive a long warning lecture, rather than a second yellow card.

Hard as we tried we could not find a way through the Kirkby defence, and at the close Kirkby broke out, and having set up a good position in the Kendal half, Dave Barton, dropped a goal to extend his teams lead five minutes into added time. 14v0.

The referee allowed play to continue, but Kirkby quickly put the ball to touch, to seal very hard earned victory.

Whilst a number of Kendal’s key players were well below their best, this was partly due to the superb defensive display from Kirkby, who had played a large part of the game a man down, without conceding.

The loss ended our hopes of a play off place

15 - Nathan Wooff
14 - Chris Park
13 - Leo Mercer
12 - Ian Voortman
11 - Alistair Thompson
10 - Glen Weightman
9 - James Gough (C)

1 - Duncan Green
2 - Garry Holmes
3 - Richard Harryman
4 - Liam Hayton
5 - Ben Leacock
6 - Matty Houghton
7 - Dan Greenwood
8 - James Thompson

Rep - Billy Coxon
Rep - Rob Wightman
Rep - Chris Downham

27th March 2010
Broadstreet (Away)
I thought I was going to use a report on an earlier game against Fylde, as I was not at this game. Then when looking for information on that game found this “View from the Touchline” which I had early missed. So I copied it out

Broadstreet were in the bottom three and whilst we were just a few places above them, we were well clear on points.

It was a glorious day at the Ivor Preece Fields, and conditions could not have been better to play a game of rugby.

Kendal kicked off going into a soft breeze but started at a high tempo. You could tell by early signs in this match that it was going to be an entertaining one.

After a mixture of Kendal and Broadstreet possession of the ball, the first try arrived from a breakdown by Broadstreet’s backs which resulted in a scrum. The Kendal pack drove their Broadstreet opponents back to the try, then quick hands and quick thinking saw Jamie Postlethwaite darting over for the try. Mike Scott could not add the conversion on this occasion.

Just as it looked like Kendal were going to run away with it, Broadstreet struck back within four minutes. A well thought out punt kick by Broadstreet’s Dan Richards stunned the Kendal defensive line. Try scorer Jamie Postlethwaite dived in desperation to grasp the ball away from Broadstreet back line, but all his efforts were in vain, as winger Nick Thatcher picked up but again the conversion failed.

Broadstreet thought they now had a sniff in this game after a mistake from Kendal, but they were extremely wrong. An unforced error by the Broadstreet back line was pounced on by a sprinting Nick McKain showing football skills as he knocked the ball in front of him, it was now a straight dash to the ball which Noodles won and ended up picking the ball up and diving over the line for Kendal’s second try, in his final game for the club before returning to New Zealand after three seasons. This time Mike Scot did add the conversion.

Three minutes later Kendal’s pack made an unforced error, which resulted in fly half Dan Richards slotting over a penalty. 8v12

After half an hour, Broadstreet backline was the victim of a lapse in concentration, when a gap opened up for Rob Aloe who took full advantage, to darted through to score Kendal’s third try under the posts, after some good handling by Kendal back’s. Mike Scott added the extras 8v19

Kendal continued to pile on pressure, and two minutes later got the bonus point from a team effort with Gareth Gore going over for Kendal’s fourth try, again converted by Scott 8v26

Kendal continued to dominate this half and on the stroke of half time fast rucking and good hands by the Kendal back line released Jamie Postlethwaite down the wing to cross and score his second try and Kendal’s fifth, also converted by Scott to end a brilliant first half by the entire Kendal team

Half time score Broadstreet 8 v 33 Kendal

Broadstreet must have got a right talking to during the break as they came out all guns blazing and within two minutes play, second row Nigel Mukarati went over for a try from a well executed scrum, with Dan Richards converting 15v33

On 47 minutes Broadstreet were awarded a penalty and Richards added the three points 18v33

Broadstreet continued to pressure Kendal, but were undone by good awareness by James Gough who seized on the opportunity, as he intercepted a misplaced pass by Andrew McGrory, and sprinting from his own twenty two to score Kendal sixth try on 52 minutes. Scott on this occasion missed the conversion from the touchline 18v38

Braodstreet switched on again with a lovely worked try by winger James Simpson quick hands and a well executed path of choice by a Broadstreet substitute. Dan Richards missed the conversion core 23v38

Kendal scored a seventh try by prop Richard Harryman going over, after Mike Scott seized on an interception from the Broadstreet backs and broke the line, before passing to Harryman who darted over. Scotty added the two points making the score 23v45

Late tries for Broadstreet by Wayne Lester and Nick Thatcher on seventy seven and seventy nine minutes gained Broadstreet a bonus point for four tries but Kendal held out to be deserved winners.

Full time score Broadstreet 34 v 45 Kendal

Summarizing the rugby match up it was Kendal’s fantastic first half performance that won the game. What a great advertisement for the game of rugby

There is something a bit doubtful about the report. Jamie Postlethwaite darting over. Definitely! Rob Aloe, “darting through”. Certainly! Richard Harryman darted over? Richard Harryman playing darts, Maybe – Powered, charge, rumbled, crashed over – Yes. Darted – Not so sure. If he did I wish I had been there to witness it.

15 - Chris Park
14 - Jamie Postlethwaite
13 - Ian Voortman
12 - Rob Aloe
11 - John Ladell
10 - Mike Scott
9 - James Gough

1 - Billy Coxon
2 - Duncan Green
3 - Richard Harryman
4 - A.N.Other
5 - Gareth Gore
6 - Matt Charters
7 - Garry Holmes
8 - Nick McKain

rep - Matt Gracie (u)
rep - Garry Hodgson
rep - Andrew Quarry (u)
rep - Craig Wilson
rep - A.N.Other (u)

No programme or team list so the team list is taken from the Gazette, and for some reason lacks one second row. I have even tried to match it against the end of season statistics but the numbers already added up, so it wasn’t Liam who played previous games or Reece who played the subsequent games. So I suspect Craig or Gary came off the bench and were replaced by another unused replacement – or we just did not take the full five replacements.

19th March 2005
Macclesfield (Home)
We lost 25v27 at home to Fylde on 26th March, and I was there, but do not have access to the report (if I have one), as this was the last handwritten pre-2008 report I copied pre-pandemic.

Visitors Macclesfield were in second place, but eight points behind Halifax who also had three games in hand, whilst Bradford & Bingley were eight points behind them. Kendal sat thirty points behind them, but were still safe in mid-table

Dan Stephens was out, so Paul Dodds moved from the centre to outside half, with Denis Bibby coming off the bench.

Macclesfield started well and dominated the first fifteen minutes with Kendal not getting out of their half, but defended well

Macclesfield opened the scoring after fifteen minutes with an unconverted try. 0v5

The three minutes later, totally against the run of play Kendal took the lead. The ball was spread across the backline going right, only for fullback Simon Mullholland to then switch play and release right wing John Ladell who had a clear run to the line. With no regular kicker available, centre Martin Armstrong successfully converted the try. 7v5

Kendal continued to attack but Martin Armstrong failed with two penalties, that Dan Stephens would probably have put over, before Paul Dodds took over and was successful with one from in front of the posts just before half time 10v5.

Macclesfield’s coaches words were clearly ringing in the ears of their charges as they came out for the second half fired up and re-took the lead with a converted try after seven minutes 10v12,

Macclesfield clearly felt they needed a try scoring bonus point, as they failed to take a number of kickable penalties, despite only having a very narrow lead,

After twenty eight minutes Macclesfield added a second converted try, to go two scores clear, removing Kendal’s losing bonus point. 10v19

Neither team could add the extra score they needed to get a bonus point and the game ended 10v19

Despite the loss a very good performance by Kendal against a strong team

15 - Simon Mulholland
14 - John Ladell
13 - Martin Armstrong
12 - Dennis Bibby
11 - Luke Ladell
10 - Paul Dodds
9 - Mark Airey

1 - Billy Coxon
2 - Duncan Green
3 - Richard Harryman
4 - Dave Preston
5 - Mike Capstick
6 - Liam Hayton
7 - Dan Bowman
8 - Adrian Bateson

rep - Allen Martindale
rep - Mark Bowman
rep - Stuart Oliver
rep James Gough

Footnote
It appears Wayne Barnes made a third, earlier visit to Mint Bridge making an impact despite seeing no rugby. A month before the Lydney game, he had to call off a game versus Rosslyn Park after a sudden downpour prior to kick off left the pitch waterlogged. Supposedly both team initially wanted to play, but clearly he included weather forecasting amongst his skills, as he correctly felt the weather was not going to get any better, and the pitch would get worse and be unsafe (where was he when we needed him for the Pocklington game last season !)

I was not there but remember being surprised the game was off. So I guess the weather in Newport (where I was watching them play Pontypridd that afternoon) was much more pleasant.

The odd coincidence is Rosslyn Park were the visitors when Barnes officiated at Mint Bridge the following season.

PHOTO
Apologies for using this one yet again, but I think Paul’s photo from the Malton and Norton game is fabulous, with all the different expressions on the face of those capture.

Further reading