Good Run Out

Ten years ago, when Kendal last lifted the Cumbria Cup in a season they lost only once in a National cup competition away at Otley from several division seasons higher, a strong Kendal team was pushed all the way at Workington.

Again a strong team travelled to Workington, with the only changes to the starting line-up from the League win at Sandal last weekend, being Glenn Chesher and Ben Dixon coming in for Duncan Green and Chris Downham, but this time there was to be no repeat of the nail biting late climax,

Kendal had the lead with less than two minutes played. After a penalty was put to touch, the throw missed its target, but Glenn Chesher gathered at the back of the line and made ground, when the ball was put wide. Danny Barker made a good run, and when the ball was recycled to the right, Dini Noyo was there to touchdown, to ease any early nerves. 0v5

The lead was extended after ten minutes of play. From another penalty lineout, the forwards set up a drive, with Glenn Chesher breaking away to touch down, and Glen Weightman added the conversion. 0v12

The next score followed two minutes later. Dini Noyo made a break down the right, and after drawing the defence, passed to Will Montgomery, who had done well to be in support to go over for the score. Glen Weightman converted again. 0v19

Another score quickly, followed with the ball moved to Kris Bratton, who outpaced the Workington defence to score, with Glen Weightman adding the conversion 0v26.

Despite the score line, on the rare occasions that Workington could get the ball, they were putting together some good passages of play. One was too precede the next Kendal try, but when it was ended with a pass being knocked on, young Kendal No.8 Ben Dixon made a powerful break from the resulting scrum, and then timed a pass perfectly to Will Montgomery in support, to go over for his second try. Glen Weightman again converted 0v33.

Kendal were forced into a change with Glenn Chesher coming off, and Garry Holmes, who had played in that previous cup game, coming on to replace him.

There was more good attacking play from Workington, who also were managing to turnover some Kendal ball. A crossfield kick for the Workington wing to chase was instead gathered by Dini Noyo, who weaved through the defence for a try converted by Glen Weightman. 0v40

The final try of the half came from a lineout, the ball was moved into midfield where Mike Fearon made a break, and Nathan Wooff took the ball at speed, to make a long run to go over for the try 0v45.

At halftime, Ben Leacock was replaced by Jacob Sutton, who joined the back row, with Will Montgomery moving onto the second row, although later Sutton and Robbie Collinson swapped places.

Three minutes into the half, a further change was made. Despite Dini Noyo receiving treatment, it was Mattie Kaye who came off, with Chris Park coming on at fullback, Glen Weightman going to outside half, Nathan Wooff onto the wing, with Dini Noyo moving to scrum half.

Glen Weightman opened the second half scoring after four minutes. He ignored an unmarked Will Montgomery on the wing, but made up for it by weaving over himself for a try. Chris Park took over the kicking duties, and added the conversion. 0v52

The next try was set up by a good run by Dom Musetti, with the move taken on by substitute Jacob Sutton, and Robbie Collinson finishing the move to squeeze over in the left hand corner despite being tackled. Chris Park put over an excellent conversion kick from near the touchline. 0v59

Another good run by Nathan Wooff ended with his second try, converted by Chris Park 0v66.

Ben Dixon got his first try, with an excellent long run after picking up from a scrum, after a quarter of an hour, Chris Park added the conversion. 0v73

After the score Dini Noyo came off, with Mattie Kaye returning.

Five minutes later, after the ball had been moved from the right into midfield, Mike Fearon made a weaving run back through the Workington defence to score, Chris Park added the conversion. 0v80

Jacob Sutton got his first try with after a forward drive from the lineout, Chris Park converted. 0v87

With four minutes of the half to go, Nathan Wooff made a good run, which was ended by Will Montgomery for his third try. 0v92.

After his earlier try, the ball rarely seemed to come Kris Bratton’s way, but when a Workington kick came to him, he made no mistake, gathering and outpacing the defence again, to go over for the final try of the game with Chris Park adding the conversion. 0v99.

Despite the scoreline, Workington played well, but the fifty league place gap between the teams showed, especially in the second half, when Kendal’s defence squeeze Workington whenever they had the ball, often forcing them backwards.

A special mention for the referee Liam Nicholls, who had an excellent afternoon.

Next weekend’s game at Mintbridge, Wirral will be a totally different test.

KENDAL MAN OF THE MATCH : Glen Weightman

PHOTO : “Spot the Ball” – Glenn did !