Another close game

A Second game against Stockport in a week, and a second “winner take all” contest, with Kendal retaining a top half of the table with their win at Stockport last week, and with Alnwick and Blaydon having defaulted (the latter more understandable having found they had two away trips and no home game to fund them), the winner would automatically go forward to the next round of the Cup - So more Pizza Express than Papa John.

A much changed team with no Greg Wrathall; Dane Blenkharn; Alistair Thompson; Aaron Stephen; Mckenzie Cousins or Joe Anderson. So Dini Noyo came in at fullback for a first appearance since the Penrith game in December; Leo Mercer returned in the centre after missing the last two games with Naki Saumaki moving to the wing. Will Meaden came in outside half after starting on the bench last weekend. Up front Matt Houghton moved to the back row, with Charlie Lowther off the bench to replace him, Patrick Wolstenholme took the other vacant back row spot, whilst Reece Tomlinson whose anticipated retirement had been officially announced earlier in the day, returned in the second row, after missing the last two games.

Despite no colour clash, the team came out in their colour blind / club badge shirts.

For a second weekend, Kendal played with the wind in the first half, but this time made a good start and had the lead within three minutes of kick off.

From a lineout close to the line the forwards drove for the line and when the ball was moved, Naki Saumaki burst through for the try. With Aaron Stephens ill (but at the game), kicking duties were taken over by Luke Atkinson, who kept his conversion kick low and it crept over the bar. 7v0.

Stockport pulled a try back within five minutes. From a penalty, they took a scrum (despite being penalised earlier) and then moved the ball wide for the score. 7v5

Midway through the half Reece Tomlinson was involved in an altercation, but despite a lecture from the referee, he and the Stockport player avoid a yellow card.

The Stockport pack were well on top in the scrum, and were looking for penalties and yellow cards, but whilst getting the former, the referee took no further action against the Kendal pack.

Just before the half hour mark, Stockport took the lead with a second try, after a quickly taken penalty. 7v10.

Late in the half Kendal were forced to make a change when No.8 Steven Nelson needed to be helped from the field. This saw Oscar Coxon make his debut, playing in the back row.

Deep in added time Kendal snatched a half time lead. Matt Houghton got away near halfway and made a long break down the right, when he was stopped the ball was move left to the backs, and rather than move the ball on, Leo Mercer backed his power and pace, to get to the line. If Luke Atkinson had done well in the condition to add the first conversion, this time he had the wind blowing across the field towards him, but still managed to add the extra points with the last action of the half 14v10.

Kendal made a further change at half time, with Tadhg Butler replacing Alex Ryder, but despite the scrumaging problems, he joined the second row.

Stockport, now with the wind although the rain eased off, had the better of play, with the damp ground making it difficult for Kendal to counter attack from deep.

Midway through the half Stockport regained the lead, with a converted try. 14v19

As the game moved towards the end, Kendal made a number of changes to try to get the winning score. Joe Fiddler replacing Will Meaden, Alex Ryder returning for Reece Tomlinson, and then Will Meaden returning for Naki Saumaki.

Despite their narrow lead and the conditions, Stockport kept the ball moving rather than tie it up in the forwards, and occasionally risked losing the ball due to handling errors or interceptions.

Kendal were getting on the wrong side of the referee and conceding a string of penalties, not always appearing to be the obvious decision, as they stole loose ball.

With time running out, it looked as if last week’s MoM could win the game again for his team, as Dan Shorrock intercepted a pass near his own line and appeared to have a clear run in, only for the referee to call play back for a penalty, he had earlier signal at a scrum on the line.

To add to the woes, Matt Houghton was yellow carded (not sure if for an offence or questioning a decision).

Finally the Stockport scrum did manage to drive over, and whilst the relatively easy conversion was missed, Stockport had a two score lead. 14v22

Kendal still went looking for a further try and were attacking on the final whistle.

So Stockport progress, following another tight encounter, which could have gone either way, but they had the upper hand in the scrum, and whilst Kendal could feel hard done by, by some of the referee’s decisions, considering the heavy penalty counter, were fortunate not to have seen more yellow cards and earlier.

So a first (I think) loss in the ghastly alternative kit. Hopefully, along with a few other things, something that will be replaced over the Summer.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Matt Houghton

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