Job Done

Both of the teams came into the game without a win after three games, but Kendal had home advantage and closer results in their games against Stockport and Blackburn, than visitors Burnage.

It was a changed team with no Glen Weightman, so Mark Carruthers moved to outside half and Danny Barker came into the centre. Dan Reid came in for Robbie Collinson at hooker, whilst Barney Coxon made his debut in the second row, and Jack Blocksidge on the bench. The bench also saw welcome returns from Dan Greenwood, and for a first time since January for Nick Carlton.

Burnage had a mainly black kit, so Kendal came out in their changed strip (clearly chosen by someone who is colour blind).

Kendal took the lead after just three minutes in unexpected fashion. Prop Joe Anderson opened up the Burnage defence well outside the twenty two, and with no one in support set off for the line with long hair flowing behind him like a Viking warrior. Lewis Kincart gave chase, but Anderson was not to be stopped, and powered over under the posts for the opening try. Mark Carruthers added the simple conversion 7v0.

Five minutes later Kendal extended their lead. The forwards battered the Burnage line near the posts, ignoring Dini Noyo’s call from the ball to be switched to the left wing where he was unmarked. Fortunately the hard work paid off, and Joe Lashley (?) came up with the ball. 12v0.

Steven Nelson made a break down the right, and the move was taken on by Lewis Kincart then Dan Shorrock, but Shorrock was put into touch.

After sixteen minutes, Kendal were forced into an change. Joe Anderson was forced off and there was an early introduction for Jack Blocksidge, who went to hooker, with Dan Reid going back to prop. Blocksidge also took over the lineout throws from Joe Lashley (although Lashley later took them back).

The third try came after twenty minutes. Following a penalty, the throw at the lineout was gathered by Alistair Thompson, Jack Blocksidge made ground, then Steven Nelson powered through for his first try of the afternoon, with Mark Carruthers adding the conversion. 19v0.

Shortly after Burnage pulled a try back. Some poor Kendal tackling saw a long run down the left wing for a try which was converted. 19v7.

The lead was extended again five minutes before the end of the half. A Kendal lineout throw was stolen, and Burnage attacked. Several times Kendal players had just missed out on interceptions, but this time Danny Barker made no mistake, taking the Burnage pass to romp to the line for the bonus point try, with Mark Carruthers given another simple task. 26v7.

The bonus point gained, and the game looking safe, the end of the next try looked like something off the training field. Dini Noyo and Alistair Thompson made ground, then from the breakdown Lewis Kincart looked outside, but instead put a pass behind him to Steven Nelson, who had been waiting and powered through to the line, to give Mark Carruthers yet another easy conversion. 33v7

In injury time Burnage were on the attack in the Kendal half. Kendal were penalised and there were then punches exchanged between a Burnage player and Alistair Thompson. The referee called both across and appeared to have a yellow card in his hand, and it looked as if both would have an extended half time break, but instead the Burnage player saw Red and Thompson escaped with a finger wagging and the penalty was reversed. Not clear if it was for the original incident or the Burnage player spoke out to the referee, to get the extra punishment.

The final try of the half came from a Steven Nelson break. When stopped he managed to get a pass away to Dan Shorrock. Glenn Chesher took the move to the line, for Jack Blocksidge (?) to get his debut try. Mark Carruthers added the conversion for a half time score of 40v7

Steven Nelson was given an extended half time break, with Dan Greenwood starting the second half in his place, whilst Dan Shorrock picked up an injury in the opening moments of the half and was forced off with Nick Carlton coming on. Shorrock was able to return later.

Three minutes into the half, Burnage lost the ball near halfway. Dini Noyo was quickly onto the ball and equally quickly on his way to the line to give Mark Carruthers another easy conversion. 47v7

There was a break in scoring for almost twenty minutes and when it came it was a second for the visitors. Both teams were struggling in the lineout, and Kendal were penalised for an early lift on the delayed Burnage throw. The penalty was taken quickly, and the Burnage left wing (wearing a 7 shirt) showed no ill effects of earlier regular complaints of injuries, to race through the Kendal defence for a try which was again converted. 47v14.

Ignacio Cisint intercepted a Burnage pass near halfway, but the player he found in support was Glenn Chesher, someone unlikely to run it in from that distance, but he did what was needed, before one who could appeared, in the shape of Dini Noyo who went over wide out for his second try. 52v14.

With quarter of an hour to play, Steven Nelson’s batteries recharged, he returned for Barney Coxon, who had done well on his debut making ground on several occasions.

The ninth Kendal try came from another Burnage handling error. Ignacio Cisint getting a well deserved try, evaded a number of high tacklers on the way to the line. 57v14.

Steven Nelson seemed to be on the way in for his third try as he powered through the Burnage defence from outside the twenty two. He was stopped near the line, but managed to get a pass away to Dan Greenwood in support for the try 62v10.

The final try in injury time came from a Dan Shorrock break from near halfway. Ignacio Cisint took it on, only to be stopped short, but Nick Carlton, showed the benefit of staying in support, to take the pass and go over, for his twenty-second try in just forty-two appearances. Mark Carruthers added the conversion for a final score of 69v10.

So a first win of the season and a bonus point. I think the last time we played in the “colour blind” kit was another big win against Bowdon last year. Is it we dare not lose in it – or the opposition are so busy laughing at it that we overrun them ?

The players came who came in did well. Barney Coxon and Jack Blocksidge certainly did not look out of place. Dan Greenwood staking a claim for a back-row spot, where Alistair Thompson again played well, whilst Joe Lashley had his best game of the season.

In the second half, the thirteen man Burnage defence (one man off, and their left wing, who looked amazing in attack, but doing extremely little in defence) did well to keep the score down, but look a team with big problems, and next weekend for a third game in a row will be looking for a first win of the season, against one of the other winless team, as they host Kirkby Lonsdale.

For us still plenty of room for improvement in the games to come, starting next weekend at Wirral, who after a slow start this season, got a second win in a row.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Steven Nelson

Scoring two and having a major part to play in at least one other, the mix of speed and power is nightmare for defending teams - and some of his tackling must give opponents nightmares

A bigger vote this week with 44 cast. Steven took almost half, and with the exception of Mark Carruthers in second, who took half of Steven total, votes wre spread around ten others - and he only came back on towards the end of the second half.

OTHER RESULTS

Blackburn are now the only team with 100% record but Lymm, with just one point dropped against much stronger opposition, look the in form team, before they meet at Blackburn next weekend.

After some poor results Macclesfield came close against Sandbach, whilst Northwich’s good form ran out against Wirral.

TABLE

Despite the win we stay in ninth place

PHOTO

Paul's back so a major step up in quality

He was telling someone on the touchline he takes a lot of photos and only uses the best

So do - but my best are not to the standard the worst one he uses are.

Kendal last met Burnage in the 2012/13 season, and five of this weekend's squad also played in the away game at the end of that season.

Dan Lowther at fullback, Alistair Thompson on the wing and Dini Noyo at scrum half, whilst Reece Tomlinson was in the second row and Dan Greenwood again on the bench.