Kendal 29 (24) v (0) 14 Moortown

The second warm up game, and an impressive performance until the game had to be abandoned about fifteen minutes into the second half, after what appeared a serious knee injury to a Moortown player.

The same pack as started against Aspatria a fortnight ago, but it was a much changed backline with Mark Carruthers replacing Danny Barker in the centre, and Ash Hill and Nick Carlton coming onto the wings, with Chris Park starting at fullback.

Kendal started well at pace, putting Moortown under pressure in their twenty two, but could not score, and a knock on eventually allowed Moortown to clear their line.

The relief was short lived as a good run by Nick Carlton down the left, put Kendal on the attack, and the forwards drove to the line with Matt Houghton touching down. Glen Weightman added the conversion 7v0 after six minutes.

Kendal added a second try after twelve minutes from a scrum, with Greg Wrathall, again playing at No.8, picking up to go over. 12v0.

There was a short break after twenty minutes, but Kendal retain the same team

Kendal continued to dominate with Moortown seldom leaving their half.

Glen Chesher added a third try for Kendal from short range after half an hour. 17v0

With five minutes of the half to play James Gough was replaced by Jordan Johnson

Kendal’s fourth try came just before half time. Glen Weightman made a break, to release Ben Dixon who was stopped near the line, but Mark Carruthers was in support to score. Chris Park added the conversion, for a 24v0 half time lead.

Kendal changed their team at half time with Dan Lowther coming on at fullback, Tom Moulton at prop; Liam Hayton in the second row; and Dan Greenwood at No.8.

Kendal started the second half well with Nick Carlton taking Glen Weightman’s re-start kick

It was however Moortown who opened the scoring after three minutes from a good passing move down the left wing, helped by some missed tackles, leading to a try which was converted. 24v7

Kris Bratton came onto the right wing in place of Ash Hill who had made some powerful runs in the first half.

Nick Carlton again claimed the restart kick to set Kendal on the attack.

Kris Bratton looked as if he had added a fifth try for Kendal as he powered down the right wing, but as he crossed the line, a Moortown player managed to knock the ball out of his hands.

The Kendal pack put Moortown under pressure under their own posts, but then instead of keeping the ball tight, it was moved to the backs, and the ball went loose.

So instead it was Moortown who scored next, with a second try from long range, this time down the right and again converted to bring the score back to 24v14, with Moortown players sensing a chance.

For a third time Nick Carlton gathered the re-start kick, and just three minutes later the gap widened again. Steven Nelson made a break through the centre, the ball was moved to Ben Dixon, and Nick Carlton squeezed over for a try. 29v14.

Shortly afterwards with Moortown on the attack, there was a crunching tackle in mid-field and the ball went loose. Steven Nelson put a kick down field, but the referee immediately stopped play for what appeared to be a serious injury to the Moortown player.

Play was stopped for about ten minutes and a stretcher was brought out, but the referee signalled an early end to the game.

A very encouraging performance, despite missing Danny Barker, Chris Evans and Lewis Kincart, so some competition for places, and useful back up in a number of positions.

The real test comes in a fortnight, when the League season opens with a trip away to Carlisle, who will be keen to return to the League above, after been relegated after one season there at the end of the last season.

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