Kendal too strong for gallant Aspatria

The Black and Ambers continued to progress last night when they beat a sturdy Aspatria who, coached by Kendal's old favourite Mike Scott, came to Mint Bridge to compete for every minute of the game.
With Chris Park returning to full back after his camping expedition in the Cumbrian monsoon of last week-end, and Dan Greenwood replacing the injured Garry Holmes in the back row, the home side turned out a solid outfit.
It was not long before the scoreboard started ticking,Kendal gaining a plentiful supply of ball from scrum and line out, with Matty Houghton throwing in much more accurately, and immediately, Kendal were pressing in attack.
After only four minutes play, good passing from right to left saw he first try, Dan Lowther forced his way over for a touchdown though the conversion was missed.
Before ten minutes had elapsed, the Kendal pack continued to dominate, and a solid drive in the right corner gave Andrew Hudson the opportunity to drive over the line for his first try of the evening, again the conversion was missed.
The dominant position continued, and Andrew Hudson scored his second try soon after, a similar drive by the home pack giving him the chance - 15-0 up.
Twenty minutes had passed, and Aspatria had hardly seen the ball - another successful scrum in the opposition twenty two metre zone, saw Dan Lowther slice through the black & red defence to gain his second touchdown, this time Gian Boardley kicking the conversion.
Just before the interval, a loose kick in midfield saw an alert Jordan Johnson pick up the ball and chase at speed for a thirty metre run to the left corner. He was just caught by a scrambling Aspatria defence almost on the line, and the support was stopped almost on the try line.
The break arrived, as the Kendal squad retired to the dressing rooms, perhaps hoping for the non - existent floodlights to be switched on.
Kendal 22 Aspatria 0

The visitors refused to retire, and stayed on the pitch, as Scotty fired up his men, and after only six minutes of play, a tremendous drive by the home scrum drove Aspatria almost to the left corner tryline. The red and blacks tried to collapse the scrum, and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try between the posts, Gian Boardley drop kicking a simple conversion.
Kendal continued to dominate territory, but Aspatria refused to give in, fighting hard for possession and chasing upfield for every loose ball.
Only one more try was scored, when Ian Voortman came on the burst from twenty five metres, collecting a nice pass from James Gough, and there was no stopping Ian as he charged straight through for his first try of the season, Gian adding the kick.
By this time Steve Whitehead was rotating his bench, bringing on everyone for a good session.
In the gathering gloom, as night descended, Steve was particularly pleased with all the replacements who appeared, showing great spirit, and following the same well drilled patterns of play.
The routine in defence was solid, as every player held his line, and did his job.
With one final pre season friendly to take place at Hawcoat Park on Sunday 1st September, before the serious league matches commence, there is confidence that Kendal will be playing with much more confidence and teamwork this season, after the disasters of the past two seasons.