Kendal Colts U17’s 24th February 2019

Kendal Colts U17’s 24th February 2019

Match Report by Mark Singleton:

In the penultimate game of the season, Kendal welcomed Glossop to Mintbridge.

Glossop turned up with only 13 players but fair play to them for wanting to play the fixture.
Team news: Kendal entered the game without the injured Nathan Wilson, Bradley Butterworth and Owen Singleton, this resulted in more switches in the pack with Matt Paxton returning at 7, Luke Clarke going to 5 and James Seaton moving to 8, Jacob Dixon retained the No2 jersey.
Kendal kicked off towards the Shap Road, an early penalty gave Glossop a scrum and for Kendal a chance to see how the reshuffled pack would fair.
Both teams were testing each other, but eventually the Kendal forwards came into the game and with good momentum and recycling saw the ball come to Sam Coleman who crossed the Glossop line for the 1st try which he also converted Kendal 7 – Glossop 0.
Kendal were awarded a 22 metre scrum when Will Forshaw was held up over the line, Glossop managed to clear the line only for our flying winger Will Forshaw to collect the ball and make another run being tackled just short.
Glossop had to drop to 12 players through an injury which saw Kendal have to drop Luke Clarke from the pack. From the resulting scrum Will Coxon collected the ball and went on one off his massy runs cutting through the Glossop defence and with good off loads and ball recycling saw Sam Coleman go over for his 2nd try which he also converted Kendal 14 – Glossop 0.
Kendal’s team captain Alex Ryder had to leave the field of play through illness.
Glossop finally got on the score sheet with a converted try just before half time.
Half Time Kendal 14 – Glossop 7
The second half started as a scrappy affair, but with what looked a nasty clash of heads in a ruck it saw Kendal’s scrum half Casey Morris stretched from the field of play. Matt Paxton stepped in and filled the scrum half position for the remainder of the game.
A Glossop scrum saw them clear their lines with a long kick down field only for Will Forshaw to collect the ball, open up his legs and run the ball back at them down the wing for Kendal’s 3rd try (unconverted) Kendal 19 – Glossop 7
Glossop were reduced to 11 for killing the ball, another kicked clearance down field by Glossop saw Kendal’s full back James O’Reily (Jim) who was having an outstanding game collect the ball and run through the tiring Glossop defence for Kendal’s 4th try converted by Sam Coleman Kendal 26 – Glossop 7.
The Kendal lads could sense Glossop tiring and with excellent forward play saw the ball recycled for Will Coxon to get on the score sheet with a try in the corner (unconverted) Kendal 31 – Glossop 7.
Kendal’s head of steam was on the up, the backs and wings had space to play and when James Seaton was held up just short of the Glossop line good follow up play resulted in Will Forshaw getting his 2nd Try and Kendal’s 5th try which Sam Coleman converted Kendal 38 – Glossop 7.
Glossop had a good passage of play and got their 2nd converted try Kendal 38 – Glossop 14.
Kendal came straight back at Glossop with Will Coxon finding a gap in their defence to run in his 2nd try of the game converted by Sam Coleman Kendal 45 – Glossop 14.
With both sets of players giving their all it was Glossop that crossed the try line for the last time (unconverted).
Full Time Kendal 45 – Glossop 19.

Great effort and commitment again today by the whole team, one more hurdle overcome and a step closer but the line is not crossed yet.
Just a quick note on Casey Morris, all seemed to be ok and well at the end of the game with him walking around.
Thanks once again for the amazing support the team is receiving from you the spectators and family, but we need you all again and anyone else you can bring one more time for the final fixture in this years season.
Final game of the season March 10th at home: Kendal Colts v Crewe and Nantwich
Match report by Mark Singleton.