After a weekend off, the team returned to Mint Bridge for their final home League game of the season, with the run of four wins meaning they were almost safe from avoiding the need for a relegation play-off.

Visitors Harrogate arrived in third, after a big win against resurgent York a fortnight ago.

Despite the two teams sitting at opposite ends of the table, the away game had however been a very close one, with Kendal building a lead, only for Harrogate to snatch victory with the last action of the game. That had been a wet a gloomy afternoon, but conditions at Mint Bridge were the opposite with a dry, bright sunny afternoon, although with a cool breeze.

Just the one change to the Kendal starting line up from a fortnight ago with Andy Rogers injury in that game ending his season (leaving him stranded on nineteen appearances). His place was taken by Glenn Chesher moving from the bench, who was replaced by Connor Lees. Dini Noyo had been named on the bench, but he was replaced there by Liam Barr, as part of the youngest squad fielded by Kendal in a League game so far this season.

Ben O’Halloran and Robbie Kincart were making their twenty appearances of season, joining Evan Moir and Alfie Bradshaw, qualifying for their Club Badge

Both teams had chances early on, with a good break down the left wing for Kendal coming to nothing, whilst Harrogate were also looking to move the ball at every opportunity.

The opening score went to Kendal from a move started deep in their own half. At a scrum, Evan Moir was positioned well away, which signal a Patrick Wolstenholme pick-up was coming but he went the other way, then made a lot of ground fooling the defence when he dummied a pass to Ben O’Halloran. When he tried it a second time he was caught, but Ben O’Halloran did well to gather the pass and kept the move going, setting up Alistair Thompson who made ground before giving the scoring pass to top try scorer Ben Dixon, for his fourteenth try of the season. Evan Moir misjudged the strength of the wind and conversion went wide. 5v0

The frenetic pace continued, with both teams creating chances.

The second score after a quarter of an hour again went to Kendal. Alfie Bradshaw broke through the Harrogate defence then release Dan Shorrock who looked sure to score, but a Harrogate player did well to get back to catch him near the line. Aaron Stephens was however in support for his seventh try of the season. Evan Moir converted from close to the touchline. 12v0.

The chances kept coming. Having earlier knocked on when trying to make an interception, Joe Anderson made no mistake on the second and was away, sadly from deep in his own half. The ball was recycled and Ben Dixon put a kicked through for Ben O’Halloran to chase, but the ball bounced badly for him and Harrogate were able to clear.

Then Alfie Bradshaw broke through again and his pass to Ben O’Halloran seemed to set him clear for a run to the line, but again a Harrogate player was back to make the try saving tackle.

After half an hour Harrogate got their opening score. They were offered an easy penalty in front of the posts, but instead put the ball to touch, then having won the lineout their burley and well organised pack, drove over for a try by front row man, Steve Maycock, which outside half Jack Mallinson converted 12v7

Joe Anderson who had earlier needed treatment, was replaced by Johnny Swallow.

There was no more scoring before half time.

Kendal started the second half well, and Ben Dixon burst through, there was no support to take the move on, but Harrogate gave away a penalty that Evan Moir put over 15v7.

Harrogate hit back quickly again from a drive from a lineout following a penalty, Jack Mallinson added the conversion to bring Harrogate to within a point. 15v14.

Kendal needed to make a second change with Dane Blenkharn who had needed treatment replaced by Connor Lees.

After a quarter of an hour a third drive from a lineout gave Harrogate the lead with Mallinson again adding the conversion 15v21.

Liam Barr came on for Dafydd Philp, and was soon in the action pulling off some important tackles against the more powerfully built Harrogate attack.

Kendal were struggling to get any ball, to make the impact they had in the first half, and were again losing lineout ball and giving away a string of penalties. After a general warning from the referee, Alfie Bradshaw was the next to give away a penalty and was yellow carded.

The Harrogate scrum was now on top. Kendal stole a Harrogate lineout throw, but knocked on. From the resulting scrum Harrogate drove over to widen their lead. 15v28 with the conversion from Mallinson.

The final try also came from a scrum. This time Harrogate knocked on near the line, but drove Kendal off the ball at the scrum for a score from short range. 15v33.

This saw a double change with Joe Anderson and Dane Blenkharn returning for Connor Lees and Patrick Wolstenholme.

Aaron Stephen picked up a hand injury and whilst he initially played on he was replaced by Dafydd Philp.

As the game came to an end Kendal with their first ball for most of the half went looking for another score, but the Harrogate defence held firm 15v33.

Disappointing to have played so well in the first half and ended empty handed, but Harrogate stepped up after half time, and whilst they had some good runners all their points came from muscle from short range.

Plenty of positives for Kendal with Alistair Thompson; Ben Dixon; Ben O’Halloran and Alfie Bradshaw all making a lot of ground against a top of the table team, whose defence prevented what on another day would have been scores. Liam Barr looks another a good prospect for the future, not looking out of place when he came on.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Alfie Bradshaw

ACTION

TEAMS :

Liam Barr came in for Dini Noyo on the bench to make his debut

OTHER GAMES

TABLE

SECOND XV :

Aspul 5 v 69 Kendal

They go top as Fylde did not play this weekend and next weekend they are away at third placed Kirkby Lonsdale