Early Cumbria Cup Exit

Having made the final for the last two seasons, this was about as tough as it could get, with an away game at a team now above us in the league structure, who have reputably recruited well, to aid their quest to retain their new league position.

The Kendal pack was strengthened from the game against Blackburn, with Billy Coxon and Liam Hayton coming in, with John Dervey, who was originally named in the starting line-up, starting from the bench. Behind the pack there was no Dini Noyo who was working, or Nick Carlton, so back row man Steven Nelson played in the centre.

Kendal snatched an early lead, Kris Bratton made a break through the centre, and delivered the scoring pass to Jordan Johnson. 0v5 after three minutes.

Carlisle struck back quickly. Kendal knocked the kick-off on, and from the resulting scrum the referee signalled a penalty but played advantage, which Carlisle used, with some good build up play before their right wing exploited some weak Kendal tackling, to power in for the score. The Carlisle kicker tried to judge the difficult crosswind, but it did not help him. 5v5.

Carlisle took the lead after quarter of an hour, again exploiting some weak tackling, their No.8 found a gap, but again on the wrong side of the pitch for the conversion. 10v5.

Six minutes later the lead was increased from a strong lineout drive, this time on the right side of the field for the wind to help the conversion. 17v5.

After half an hour the right wing got his second try, and this time the kicker judged the wind perfectly from the far touchline 24v5

Carlisle were well on top in the scrum, winning penalties on their own ball, and stealing Kendal ball on the Kendal put in. From another penalty at the end of normal time, the Carlisle pack drove over from the lineout. 31v5 at half time.

At half time Dane Blenkharn came on for Billy Coxon, and Josh Chaplow for Ben Dixon, who had had a good first half.

After the wind strengthening with rain at the end of the first half, it then eased off in the second half.

Kendal started the half well with a good run from Kris Bratton, then Glen Weightman chipped over the Carlisle defence to re-gather the ball, only to lose it in the tackle.

Early in the half John Dervey came on for Liam Hayton, and made an immediate impact stealing a Carlisle lineout throw.

A Carlisle replacement was issued a yellow card

Kendal looked about to add to their score, when Dane Blenkharn made a powerful run, but he was just stopped on the line, and John Dervey was unable to gather his pass.

After quarter of an hour Kendal made a double substitution with Dan Greenwood and Joe Cook (?) coming on for Robbie Collinson and Lewis Kincart.

Shortly afterwards Kendal were reduced to fourteen men with Joe Lashley yellow carded for coming into a ruck from an offside position, to try to end a Carlisle attack.

Kendal held up the drive from the subsequent lineout, but could do nothing to stop Carlisle scoring from the scrum that followed. 36v5

Robbie Collinson returned for Alistair Thompson.

Whilst Kendal were seeing little of the ball, but when they did there were some good play, with Dan Shorrock making one good run out of defence, after fielding a Carlisle kick ahead.

After twenty minutes Liam Hayton returned in place of John Dervey.

Kendal had a good spell of pressure, keeping the ball for a long period, but were often being forced backwards, and when the ball was turned over, the Carlisle outside half made a break from inside his half to score. 43v5

Jordan Johnson who had needed treatment earlier was forced off, and Lewis Kincart returned and played well at scrum half.

Kendal were finally rewarded for their improved play with five minutes to play, when Kris Bratton broke through to score, with Chris Park adding the conversion. 43v12.

In injury time Carlisle made a break from their own half, and whilst Steve Nelson got back to end it, it was with a desperate dangerous tackle. Fortunately the referee decided it only warranted a yellow card.

From the resulting lineout there was some “white line fever” from Carlisle, with players looking to barge their way over, but when the ball was moved to their prop (3) he made no mistake, and the conversion was the final act of the game 50v12.

Despite the scoreline, on the basis of the two games, Blackburn seem the better prepared for the task ahead of them, but neither are likely to get so much ball from the set piece in the months to come.

This problem, plus a number of defensive issues, and lack of invention in attack, will need to be tackled, if there is going to be a positive start to the season for Kendal.