Successful Return to Cumbria Cup

First XV returned to the Cumbria Cup, negotiating a potentially tricky fixture, against Hawcoat Park, who beat Kendal, in a pre-season fixture almost exactly twelve months ago.

Kendal were forced into late changes with Leo Mercer unavailable due to work commitments, being replaced by Jordan Johnson, and with Alistair Thompson also unavailable, back row man Chris Downham, who has yet to return to Durham University, was drafted in on the left wing. Billy Coxon started on the bench with Garry Holmes at hooker, and Duncan Green moving to prop.

Hawcoat Park made the better start to the game, but Kendal weathered the storm and opened the scoring after ten minutes. The ball was moved from a scrum in mid-field and a floated pass, released Jordan Johnson, on the right wing to score in the corner. Chris Park over the conversion 7v0.

Kendal dominated the next twenty minutes, but a resolute Hawcoat Park defence, and a string of handling errors, meant they were not able to add to their score.

The second score came with five minutes of the half to play. Flanker Tom Voke made a powerful run down the left wing, but was held up close to the line. When the ball was recycled, Dan Lowther and Nathan Woof made breaks, but the move was finally finished by the forwards, with Garry Holmes coming up with the ball. Chris Park put over the difficult conversion, to give Kendal a 14v0 half time lead.

Kendal started the second half well, with Nathan Woof making an excellent break to the try line, only to be unable to ground the ball for the try. Kendal were however not to be denied, as from the resulting scrum, James Gough made a break to the line, with Garry Holmes appearing to come up with the ball for his second try of the afternoon. 19v0

Kendal made changes in the pack with Billy Coxon replacing Duncan Green and Rob Wightman coming on for Matty Houghton.

Hawcourt Park came back into the game with their opening score ten minutes into the half. A penalty took them into the Kendal twenty two, and when the ball was won, their outside half danced through the Kendal defence for an excellent try, which he converted. 19v7

Kendal restored their lead again just three minutes later. Tom Voke tidied up loose Hawcourt Part ball at a lineout, and good inter-passing took the ball to the line, and a cheeky pass behind his back by James Gough, came off, as Rhys Studt reacted to gather the ball and crash over for the try. Chris Park converted off the post. 26v7.

Nathan Woof was forced off, and was replaced by Alex Wilson who went onto the wing, with Jordan Johnson going to outside half and James Gough moving to outside half.

Kendal had to withstand a long period of Hawcourt Park pressure, but held out and had a chance to score themselves with powerful running and good handling between Rhys Studt, Rob Wightman and James Thompson opened up the Hawcoat defence.

Kendal added the final score of the game with just under ten minutes to go, with more powerful running from James Thompson, setting up a try for stand in wing Chris Downham. 31v7

Another good performance, which sets up an away tie against Carlisle in the quarter final.