Well the big day arrived, with Kendal sitting second in the table, just 2 points behind Tarleton, but with this game in hand and a chance to win the league.
Kendal welcomed Crewe and Nantwich to Mintbridge, and the spectators turned out in huge numbers to make this a special occasion and a great season finale.
Kendal made a couple of changes to the starting squad due to a couple of knocks during the warm up, with team captain Alex Ryder dropped to the bench, replaced by Luke Clarke in the pack and Nathan Wilson forced to pull out with a leg injury. Cory Livesey went back in at 2 and Owen Singleton came back in at 6, with Matt Paxton the on-field captain.

Kendal kicked-off into the Easterly wind towards Shap Road and an early knock on gave the Kendal pack their 1st scrum. Great play by the forwards gave Will Coxon the chance to get over the Crewe try line for Kendal’s 1st try (unconverted)
Kendal 5 v 0 Crewe & Nantwich

Both teams seemed to struggle for a while making unforced errors. Maybe the wind, rain and snow didn’t help, but it was Crewe who took their chance and crossed the Kendal line for their 1st converted try
Kendal 5 v 7 Crewe & Nantwich

Again some penalties and unforced errors saw Crewe go over Kendal’s line for their 2nd try (unconverted)
Kendal 5 v 12 Crewe & Nantwich

Both teams were reduced to 14 players for the final 5 minutes of the 1st half, but it was Kendal who came up with the next scoring opportunity. Good pressure by Kendal saw Crewe lose the ball in their own goal area, only for Casey Morris to quickest to react and dive on the ball for his 1st try (unconverted)
HT: Kendal 10 v 12 Crewe & Nantwich

The second half started like the first, with Kendal applying the pressure on the Crewe defence with the wind behind them. Could the lads turn this game around? The forwards were doing their bit, the tackles were being made. Will Coxon was kicking long to touch and making his bursting runs. Jim at full back was catching the cleared high balls and running it back at the Crewe defence, but it just wasn’t happening.

This was a different Crewe team today, standing tall and hard to break down. More penalties by Kendal relieved the pressure on Crewe and with Kendal being reduced to 14, it was Crewe who seized a chance.
With only 7 minutes to go, a Kendal pass was intercepted by Crewe inside their own 22 and despite frantic attempted tap tackles and a race for the line, they ran clear to score under the posts for their 3rd try (converted)
Kendal 10 v 19 Crewe & Nantwich

The Kendal lads threw everything they had at Crewe for the remainder of the half, but it just wasn’t to be today. The Crewe defence stood strong.
Full time Kendal 10 v 19 Crewe and Nantwich

As a parent and supporter we may have lost the match and the chance to win the league, but what we have gained is a team of young men willing to work hard for each and wear the black and amber shirt with pride.
Every one of you should be proud of yourselves for what you have achieved and how far you have come as a team this season.
Thank you to the coaches for your time spent with the lads and thank you for the huge turnout today by families, friends, club officials and supporters the lads appreciate it and deserve it. Sorry the report might not be as detailed but I was shouting more than writing today.

Report by Mark Singleton