1st XV Go to the Top

kindly contributed by Bernard Parsons

After leaving a gloomy drizzly Westmorland, it was a pleasant surprise to arrive at the Heath Road ground on the Mersey Riviera to find spring like conditions.

Because of the fact it was a rearranged fixture, and the availability of armchair International rugby, not many of the Kendal Tifosi made the trip.

The Widnes squad was weakened by the demands of a stag do, whilst Kendal had alterations to their published team, Matty going into the back row, with Nathan coming off the bench onto the wing, and Matty Kaye added to the bench.

Maybe in retaliation to the fact that the Widnes coaches and subs didn't use the dug out when at Mint Bridge in the Autumn, choosing to pitch camp in front of the Grandstand instead, our Director of Rugby marched his back up staff and subs to the far side of the ground.

Unlike at Warrington the week before we got off to a fast start, the forwards taking play deep into the home territory, putting their defence under pressure. Pressure forces penalties and Glenn Weightman kicked to the corner then a well rehearsed forward drive, resulted in a try for Matty Houghton. 0v5 The die was cast for more of the same. In the home match versus Widnes we scored early tries with forward dominance and rolling mauls and it was working once more. Another penalty and this time Glenn Weightman slotted the three points 0v8.

Back on the attack another penalty, another forward drive and once Matty Houghton scored. Glenn Weightman struck both conversions well from wide out, but the both slipped wide of the posts. 0v13. Glenn struck the ball sweetly all day but a lot of our tries were touched down wide out.

Widnes now started to get into their stride and from an attacking line out a flowing backs move resulted in a try wide out.
5v13

We were soon back on the attack with our pack controlling affairs and another forward drive brought another Matty Houghton try and this time Glenn Weightman struck the conversion 5v20. We finished the half strongly pushing for the bonus point try.

Halftime 5v20

The platform had been made by the pack and now the backs had the opportunity to show their skills. The second half was much more open, both sides willing to use the width of the pitch. Early on in the half the excellent referee from the Liverpool Society saw a Widnes forward doing a bit of tap dancing at a ruck and showed him a yellow card. He was soon followed by their scrum half for a deliberate knock on, so thirteen versus fifteen.

Tries now flowed at regular intervals. It was good to watch, backs and forwards combining all over the field. with Glenn and Goughie orchestrating affairs.

We unloaded the bench and Matty Kaye showed what a good pass he has.

As a supporter it was great to watch. We didn't have the tension of the last play drop goal at Leigh, or holding our breath for the entire second half at Penrith as our goal line was under siege and praying that the pressure didn't result in a yellow card. Also the epic nail biter at the Vale decided late on with a wonderful try.

Result 5v49

After match thoughts
There is life in the front row after the legends Billy and Richard, plus today Duncan, being absent. Glenn C, Jack, Dom and Robbie did us proud. The lineout went well with Liam, Phil and Ben but still problems with throws to the back, but most sides struggle with that. The maul was as ever well drilled and all the pack carried the ball well with Liam featuring at first receiver. Thommo broke well from the base of the scrum and Matty H was everywhere and scored a hat trick of tries. I bet he could kick goals if ever required !!!!

Zane benefited from more ball at centre and Danny used his power on the crash ball. Mark C as ever never missed a tackle. Nathan took his try well and Parky was as reliable as ever A sound performance all round showing the depth and versatility of the squad.

The referee was great because we hardly noticed him, but he kept defences honest, and this enables the game to open up. It's funny how we see a referees performances totally differently according to which colour of shirt we are supporting. A guy in front of us saw Kendal forward passes and off sides every other minute and thought the ref’ had a shocker. Well there you go !!!

Widnes and Kendal most likely won’t play one another next season. We know only too well how relegation feels. A Widnes supporter who joined us for the second half said it wouldn't be so bad as they could renew old rivalries and also benefit from an RFU funded trip to the Isle of Man. If the Black and Reds keep battling as they did today, they will soon be back .

No stress on the touch line today but there was barrel loads of it in the car on the way home listening to the England Wales match. Those two tries while taking a convenience break at Forton didn't he.

Phew !!!!!

Bernard.

VIEW FROM THE DIRECTOR OF RUGBY

The Black and Ambers arrived at Widnes with one thing in mind, beat Widnes by four try's and return home top of the league. Having made two changes through injuries sustained in previous battles and a further two through a dereliction of duty, the the remaining troops set about their task.

Not long into the game, the versatile Matty Houghton hitched a ride on a strong forward drive to establish a five point lead, the conversion was missed. However order was restored soon after, when Widness having lost ground, folded under pressure and conceded a penalty which the beautiful Glenis Weightman was on target with. Further good work from captain Murphy and his pack led to Houghton touching down for his second of the afternoon, the conversion going wide this time.

It was now Widnes's turn to strike as Kendal put their kick straight out and from the resulting line out Widnes swept in field to find the defences napping for their opening score, nice play but perhaps a soft score to concede. With the conversion missed Kendal were soon back on the attack with Matty Houghton touching down for his third try of the day, his sixth in two weeks and with half time looming Glenis once again put the ball between the sticks for a 20 points to 5 lead.

When the game resumed the pack were now gaining great ground though some strong running and created quick ball for the backs, allowing the ever improving Mary Curruthers to beat her man and put Mrs Butler in for a great team try which Glenis was to covert. Further tries were to follow through the right honourable James Thompson who was beginning to find his form as Widness tired, and Liam Hayton who had an outstanding game on the blindside and who led the charge up front scoring twice, as well as working hard in defence to deny Widnes any real ground.

In truth this was a game Kendal might have expected to win as Widnes were missing key individuals and are struggling to match previous seasons form. However this was a decent win on the road to continue the teams momentum and the players will be looking forward to stern tests ahead in order to put their hard work into practice.