Kendal welcomed to Mint Bridge a Leigh side who have been one of the form teams in the league since Christmas.
The home side kicked off towards the Farley's end in the spring sunshine and on a pitch that lent its self to running rugby.
The early exchanges were fairly even but it was obvious that Leigh had plenty of pace in the backs to test Kendal. In the 13th minute the first score came when Matty Houghton went over from a catch and drive with Glenn Weightman adding the conversion. 7-0
There followed a period of stalemate with neither side giving up much. Leigh got their first points in the 34th minute when there number 8 Chris Boyle broke from the back of a lineout to go over, with the conversion being missed. 7-5
There followed a couple of good breakes by both sides notably from Mark Carruthers for Kendal and Leigh's flying right wing Olly Shepherd.
Half time arrived with no further score but it looked from a Kendal point of view that there could be a nail biting second half ahead.
Half Time Score 7-5
Kendal went ahead early in the second half when centre Danny Barker plunged over after good work by Liam and Goughie, Glenn adding the conversion. 14-5
Ten minutes later from a rolling maul the ball found its way to winger Zane Butler to go over, the conversion this time being missed. 19-5
Kendal were keeping play tight to keep the speedy back line of Leigh in check.
In the 58th minute James Thompson replaced Kendal number 6 Josh Coyle.
Eventually Kendal started to move Leigh around with some good open rugby and Glenn Weightman made a couple of great bursts with his usual trademark feints and dummy's. Both times he spoilt it by throwing the ball to a Leigh player, but in fairness they were playing in Kendal colours with Kendal in their change of all yellow shirts.
On the hour mark Kendal were penalised at the lineout and Leigh's Chris Boyle went over for his second try. Marcus Maurice Williams no less, kicking the conversion. 19-12
Nerves again starting to jangle. We weren't left to sweat too long because replacement James Thompson went over after a good catch and drive from a lineout. Glenn Weightman resuming normal service. 26-12
The game was now opening up with the fitness of Kendal beginning to tell once again.
Josh Chaplow, who was returning from injury, was one to profit with a couple of marauding runs through the middle which had the Kendal faithful roaring their approval.
There was a bitter sweet moment in the 72nd minute as centre Damian Armstrong went over, but in the move leading up to the try flying winger Zane Butler got injured. The injury did not look good but lets hope he is OK for next week. The conversion was missed. 31-12
Zane's replacement was Alistair Thompson, who has been away wrestling sheep? In New Zealand for the last few months. Good to see you back, T-bag.
77 minutes and another surging run from Josh Chaplow saw the ball held up but when it was recycled Nathan Wooff's pass found Mark Carruthers who went over. Glenn converting.38-12
A minute later saw a now rampant Kendal score again when a great piece of individual skill saw Glenn collect his own chip through to score under the posts. Glenn converting his own try. 45-12
There was just time for Leigh to score in the corner with Chris Boyle completing his hat-trick and the missed conversion was the last kick of the game.
Final Score Kendal 45 Leigh 17
In the end a comfortable win due in no greater part to the fitness of the team, who eventually put away as spirited Leigh outfit who kept going to the end.
So to next week, oh yes, that game against, who is it again?
What ever the outcome both teams have had a great season neck and neck to the wire.
The winner will take the spoils with the loser living to fight again. Bring it on !
Kendal Man of the Match : Glenn Weightman
A third of the points with a try and five conversions and a third of the votes
Josh Chaplow, Liam Hayton and Glenn Chesher share the runner up spot, but all were well behind Glenn.
Action | Team | No | Name | Time | Ken | Lei | |
Try | Kendal | 8 | Matty Houghton | 13 | 5 | 0 | |
Con | Kendal | 10 | Glenn Weightman | 14 | 7 | 0 | |
Try | Leigh | 8 | Chris Boyle | 34 | 7 | 5 | |
= = = | = = = | = = = | HALF TIME | 7 | 5 | ||
Try | Kendal | 12 | Danny Barker | 41 | 12 | 5 | |
Con | Kendal | 10 | Glenn Weightman | 42 | 14 | 5 | |
Try | Kendal | 14 | Zane Butler | 51 | 19 | 5 | |
sub-on | Kendal | # | James Thompson | 58 | 19 | 5 | |
sub-off | Kendal | 6 | Josh Coyle | 58 | 19 | 5 | |
Try | Leigh | 8 | Chris Boyle | 60 | 19 | 10 | |
Con | Leigh | # | Marcus Maurice Williams | 61 | 19 | 12 | |
Try | Kendal | # | James Thompson | 65 | 24 | 12 | |
Con | Kendal | 10 | Glenn Weightman | 66 | 26 | 12 | |
Try | Kendal | 13 | Damian Armstrong | 72 | 31 | 12 | |
sub-on | Kendal | # | Alistair Thompson | 73 | 31 | 12 | |
sub-off | Kendal | 14 | Zane Butler | 73 | 31 | 12 | |
Try | Kendal | 11 | Mark Carruthers | 77 | 36 | 12 | |
Con | Kendal | 10 | Glenn Weightman | 78 | 38 | 12 | |
Try | Kendal | 10 | Glenn Weightman | 79 | 43 | 12 | |
Con | Kendal | 10 | Glenn Weightman | 80 | 45 | 12 | |
Try | Leigh | 8 | Chris Boyle | 81 | 45 | 17 | |
= = = | = = = | = = = | FULL TIME | 82 | 45 | 17 |
Kendal | |
Nathan Wooff | 15 |
Zane Butler | 14 |
Damian Armstrong | 13 |
Danny Barker | 12 |
Mark Carruthers | 11 |
Glenn Weightman | 10 |
James Gough | 9 |
Glenn Chesher | 1 |
Duncan Green | 2 |
Jack Lashley | 3 |
Liam Hayton | 4 |
Ben Leacock | 5 |
Josh Coyle | 6 |
Josh Chaplow | 7 |
Matty Houghton | 8 |
Dom Musetti | sub |
James Thompson | sub |
Alistair Thompson | sub |