A bit different this week, as we have not had many games over the Christmas/New Year period in recent years. So the plan was some “memorable” games of seasons past. It has not turned out what I had originally planned (see footnote)

No one will remember the first, and as it was played in the year my grandfather was born, I doubt many of us will have even met someone who was there (if you have and have a story of their memories, it would be good for a programme article when we get going again)

The second is also before my time in Cumbria, but was for some reason one I had heard about. I suspect from a “Days Gone” section in a programme, but as I cannot find it, so the notes have come from the Centenary book.

I had arrived (just) in Cumbria for the third, but wasn’t there. It appears as it was on a Sunday and there was no bus back to Carlisle. Oddly that has not stopped me watching the Wasps on Sundays, or getting to games on Saturdays over the last six years. I had only seen one game at the time, and it was probably eighteen months and three more games before I made Mint Bridge my home. So again the notes are from various other sources.

Finally one I was at. Not (in my memory) a particularly good game, but both the build up and the significance for both teams, makes it a key game.

By co-incidence yesterday, whilst doing something else, I found I had a report from exactly 100 years ago on Christmas Day 1920, so I have added that as well.

Reports of home games come from three different grounds

30th September 1905
Vale of Lune (Home : Mints Feet)
Kendal’s first ever game (although there had been other teams in the town earlier)

In the first half Huck scored for the home team, but Blackburn failed at goal. Shortly afterwards Blackburn made a strong effort to get through, but was borne to the ground by superior numbers. T.W. Punchard then ran in for the visitors but the kick at goal failed.

In the second half Pinchard scored again for the visitors with Eltoft converting.

Towards the close the home team had the best of matters, but could not get through 3v8

Gordon Swinglehurst
Harry Hebson
Hughie Park
RF (Bob) Lancaster
Hugh Livingstone
A Winter
IT Sedgwick

Joe D. Blackburn
TH Turner
TH Richmond
Stanley Alexander
W.Slater Huck
Jonny Stalker
H Gunson
RW (Bert) Inder

30 April 1994
Bradford & Bingley (Away)
The final game of the season and only the winner would retain their place in the League.

This was the third attempt to play the game. The team had set off on the 8th January, but had been turned back as the pitch was frozen. They then got to Bingley on 20th February, and despite snow on the pitch Kendal were happy to play, Bradford & Bingley weren’t, so the referee called it off

Wing Jeremy Bill was not available for this game, so Mark Wood came in on the right wing. Peter Kramer had dislocated his collar bone in the Cumbria Cup Final against Wigton at Carlisle a fortnight earlier, so was also out.

Bradford & Bingley had a much bigger pack, and took an early lead when a rolling maul saw former Romanian international Christian Radacanu score, 7v0

Kendal pulled three points back with a Mark Wood penalty after seventeen minutes 7v3

Bradford then added a try by centre Hewitt 14v3. Then from a scrum the ball was moved wide for a try, and later a penalty gave the hosts a commanding 22v3 lead, and for Kendal relegation seemed assured.

Kendal started the second half well, and when Bradford were caught offside, hooker Jon Nicholson quickly took a tap penalty, and when stopped the ball was moved to fullback Mark Mace, who squeezed in in the corner, and Mark Wood put the conversion over from the touchline 22v10.

Kendal lost second row Rob Stewart with a cut, and brought on Jim Bracken.

Mark Wood added a penalty from near the touchline to narrow the gap 22v13

Now back in the game, Kendal kept the pressure on, and outside half David Bell put a kick close to the Bradford line. At the resulting lineout No.8 Richard Stowe stole the Bradford throw, and went over for the try, which Wood again converted from the touchline, and Kendal were within two points, 22v20

Shortly later Kendal had the lead. Several Bradford players failed to deal with the ball which bounced on the hard pitch, and it was Kendal prop Stirling Hulme who won the ball. From the resulting ruck, the ball came back to David Bell who dropped a goal 22v23.

When Kendal won a penalty in their own half, Mark Wood put it over from sixty metres to extend the lead 22v26.

Three minute later David Bell added a second drop goal to extend the lead further 22v29

A final score came when David Bell put a high kick into the Bradford half. No.8 Richard Stowe gathered the ball, and linked with left wing Jason Slater, who went over for the try 22v34.

So from nineteen points down at halftime, Kendal score thirty one unanswered points to secure their league place.

15 Mark Mace
14 Mark Wood
13 Mike Healey (C)
12 Steve Healey
11 Jason Slater
10 David Bell
9 Darren Sharpe

1 Billy Coxon
2 Jon Nicholson
3 Stirling Hulme
4 Mike Capstick
5 Rob Stewart
6 Ian Downham
7 Guy Rigg
8 Richard Stowe

rep Jim Bracken

10th January 1999
London Scottish (Home : Old Mint Bridge)
The fourth round of the National Cup, and the visitors were from Premiership One. Probably forgotten is Kendal were at this point still at level four, and had won only eight of their first fifteen League games, having lost the first three. They were to only lose one of their remaining eleven league games, and the following season lost only twice on the way to the League title and promotion.

Despite being a bright and sunny Sunday afternoon, the view was the game could not have gone ahead if the pitch had not been protected with covers borrowed from Wharfdale.

The visitors opened strongly and good handling took them close to the Kendal line. However having held a scrum against a large pack on their own line, the ball was cleared and Mike Capstick stole the lineout throw. From a scrum inside the twenty two, scrum half Jimmy Thompson got a pass away to outside half Casey Mee, who went over to open the scoring 5v0

Scottish hit back eight minutes later after a penalty to the line, from which a prop scored with Springbook International Janie DeBeer (who later that year would be kicking England out of the World Cup) converting 5v7

Three minutes later they scored again, with the Kendal cover stretched for the fullback to score, 5v14.

Kendal were still competing, with Casey Mee taking a quick lineout then linking with Jason Balmer, Paul Dodds, and Ian Voortman. Adrian Bateson made a good run from a scrum, and Jason Balmer charged down a clearance kick. It all came to nothing and De Beer added a penalty for a 5v17 half time lead.

An unconventional low restart from outside half Casey Mee at the start of the second half, led to a knock to putting Kendal on the attack. A good run from Billy Coxon won a penalty and from the resulting lineout flanker Steve Whitehead was driven over from a lineout for a try 10v17.

De Beer added a further penalty, just when it looked as Kendal had cleared the danger 10v20, then back row man Guy Manson-Bishop added a try for the visitors after a poor clearance. 10v25

Kendal continued to press, and a Casey Mee kick caused confusion in the Scottish defence, but Ian Voortman was not able to touch the ball down.

A rattled Scottish lost centre Rhodri Davis, and then replacement hooker Damian Rudham, to yellow cards. From the penalty from the second, Casey Mee kicked to touch and from the lineout flanker Colin Wolstenholme went over for a try. 15v25 with thirteen minutes to play,

Another Mee kick resulted in a second try for Wolstenholme, and Kendal were within a score 20v25 with ten minutes to play

In injury time Kendal were camped on the Scottish line looking for a score. Richard Harryman went close, then Casey Mee was over the line, but Scottish centres Rhodri Davies and Derick Lee managed to hold him up and the final whistle blew.

15 Paul Dodds
14 Jason Balmer
13 Steve Healey (C)
12 Ian Voortman
11 Dion Seath
10 Casey Mee
9 Jimmy Thompson

1 Billy Coxon
2 Jon Nicholson
3 Nigel Pearson
4 Richard Harryman
5 Mike Capstick
6 Colin Wolstenholme
7 Steve Whitehead
8 Adrian Bateson

rep Ian Thompson
rep Ian Gowing
rep Peter Kramer
rep Keith Robinson
rep Dan Stephens
rep Mike Healey
rep Duncan Pearce

Despite having not been at the game, I do recognise one of the opposition scorers. In 1994/5 Guy Manson-Bishop played one game for Newport against the Barbarians, but for some reason could not play in League games, (possibly having signed a contract with someone else (Northampton?), then fallen out with them). Supposedly he played for Newport’s second team, and certainly made an impression on supporters who wanted him, but I suspect the club were unable to pay for his release.

By co-incidence when Kendal got knocked out of the Cup the following season by Worcester (one of the few games I saw) Duncan Hughes who played in the centre for them, was also an ex-Newport player.

30 April 2016
Kirkby Lonsdale (Home : old Mint Bridge)
Like the Bradford & Bingley game, a rearranged fixture and a final day decider, this time on who went up automatically.

After twenty five games just two league points separated the teams. Both had only lost once, Kendal at Kirkby, and Kirkby at Altrincham Kersal, both had sixteen try scoring bonus points and one losing bonus points, with the only difference being Kirkby’s draw at Warrington.

Kendal’s last loss at home had been to Wirral just over two years earlier, as the visitors gained promotion. The previous season Kendal’s had finished the season away at Champions Birkenhead Park, so we did not want to see three final day losses to the Champions.

Phil Murphy and Chris Downham returned to the Kendal pack, in place of Ben Leacock and Josh Coyle, whilst Chris Park replacing Zane Butler, who had broken his leg the previous weekend against Leigh. In a surprise move Richard Harryman came in on the bench, for his first game since inju

There was a bumper crowd and the threatened rain held off, although there was an icy wind blowing across the pitch.

Kirkby had the better of the opening exchanges, with Kendal conceded a string of penalties for slowing the ball at the breakdown.
A Nathan Wooff’s kick was charged down, and fell to Kirkby wing David Bird, but he was hauled down.

When, after less than ten minutes play Jack Lashley became the latest offender, the referee gave him ten minutes on the side line. So when a scrum was awarded shortly afterwards, Josh Chaplow had to be sacrificed for Richard Harryman. The early arrival of the human JCB, saw the six man Kendal pack win a penalty when defending a scrum near their line.

After a quarter of an hour, whilst still down to fourteen men, against the run of play Kendal took the lead. Glen Weightman put a long touch finding kick out of defence. Phil Murphy then stole the Kirkby throw, with Matty Houghton making ground. Glen Weightman took the move on evading some tackles and when he was stopped, Danny Barker was on hand to weave his way through for the try. 5v0

There was concern when Liam Hayton was forced off with a cut, which saw the return of Josh Chaplow, but Liam was back in place of Richard Harryman, as Jack Lashley finished his spell on the touchlines.
Kirkby appeared to have an overlap on the left, but Chris Park’s tackle ended the immediate danger.

Kendal were coming more into the game, with Danny Barker having one of his best games of the season, whilst the lineout was well on top, even stealing Kirkby ball.

Kirkby finally opened their account after twenty five minutes, when Phil Murphy was isolated and forced to concede a penalty 5v3.

Kendal lost Jack Lashley and Chris Downham to injury before half time with Richard Harryman and Josh Coyle returning, although Downham was back at the start of the second half

In injury time, Nathan Wooff gathered a long Kirkby kick out of defence, and made a long break into the Kirkby half. Glen Weightman took the move on and when he was stopped Kendal were awarded another penalty, which he put over for 8v3 at half time

There was a frenetic opening to the second half, with both teams moving the ball, but Kendal were starting to take control, with James Gough frequently finding gaps and making ground, whilst also causing the Kirkby back row all sorts of problems at scrums.

After a quarter of an hour of play, the referee was getting frustrated with Kirkby conceding penalties, and after a number of warnings he gave a Kirkby player ten minutes rest.

Matty Houghton, who had been having an excellent game limped off, and Josh Coyle made his third appearance.

Glen Weightman put over a penalty to extend the Kendal lead to two scores 11v3.

Kendal were beginning to dominated the scrums, but after twenty five minutes when awarded a penalty at a scrum in front of the posts, went for the extra points, 14v3.

At the restart James Gough was laid out, and the Kirkby player clearly knew he was in trouble, and Kirkby were down to fourteen men for the rest of the game

A further Glen Weightman penalty from a scrum, gave Kendal a two converted tries lead, with less than ten minutes to play, only needing a draw to guarantee promotion. 17v3.

A long cross field kick from Nathan Wooff was excellently gathered by Chris Park on the right wing, but the Kirkby defence managed to get back to prevent him scoring.

Kendal stayed on the attack and forced three scrumage penalties on the Kirkby line. Each time going for another scrum, but then the Kirkby seven stole the ball. Back row man Lwazi Ngcumgama, who had been the star player at the fixture earlier in the season, but had a very quiet afternoon, undid the good work losing the ball when running out of defence, and James Gough quickly swooped. Whilst held, he managed to get over for the try, which Glen Weightman converted 24v3.

The referee decided there was time for a restart, but when Kendal won the ball at a scrum, Glen Weightman put the ball dead for the celebrations to begin.

15 Nathan Wooff
14 Chris Park
13 Damian Armstrong
12 Danny Barker
11 Mark Carruthers
10 Glen Weightman
9 James Gough

1 Glenn Chesher
2 Duncan Green
3 Jack Lashley
4 Liam Hayton
5 Phil Murphy
6 Josh Chaplow
7 Matty Houghton
8 Chris Downham

rep Richard Harryman
rep Josh Coyle
rep Alistair Thompson

Another link between the two “decider” games was appearances in the back row for Ian and Chris Downham.

25th December 1920 (100 Years ago)
Public Schools (Home : Maude’s Meadow)
This Christmas Day fixture attracted a large gate and some sparkling football was seen.

Moe playing for the schools was very near scoring, after good play but Braithwaite tackling was deadly.

Alexander opened the account for Kendal with a lovely dropped goal and a minute later following it with a try. Willis added a try after a good run.

Moe handled well and put in Wakefield for a try, then after a sparkling play by Schools, Moe made a brilliant run a scored. 10v6 to Kendal

P Winder
J 'Pies' Braithwaite
T Richardson
Arnold Alexander
C Cleary
W Rooking
Percy J Bryer

Harry Willis
Tom Carradus
A Greenbank
Alf Nelson
W Barrow
Gilbert Wilson
Archie Langhorne
W Longhorn

Moe, mentioned several time in the report playing for the Schools, appears to have been a Kendal player, and was involved in their home game against Vale of Lune on Boxing Day which they lost 03. He scored five tries for Kendal that season.

FOOTNOTE
When I originally thought of doing this, I had a totally different set of games in mind, which for me represented outstanding team performances. I then spotted they all had something in common. Hull (2007/08); Leicester Lions (2008/09); Morley and Luctonians (2010/11), Carlisle (2013/14) were all away from Mint Bridge (I could have added the Wasps at Carlisle in 2015/16).

For some reason I struggle to remember great games at Mint Bridge, and when I did they came in otherwise bad seasons New Brighton (2005/06); Billingham (2012/13).

Possibly one of the best came in January this year, with the performance against Morley.