A strange game played in wild weather. Around 90% of the game seemed to be played in the Kendal half, and Blackburn probably had over two-thirds of the ball, but there was still only one score between the teams until the very end of the game, and a Kendal breakaway try could have given them an unlikely win.

The teams came into the game with differing fortunes last weekend. After a positive start to the season Kendal had been well beaten by a strong Wirral team. Blackburn who had lost their first three games and had sat bottom of the table, had had a big win against Dronfield

The Blackburn team included experience ex-Rossendale outside half Lewis Allen, whilst his halfback partner, Aiden Muller had been with Upper Eden last season.

The Kendal team saw the return of Matt Houghton who had missed last week’s game, and Alistair Thompson playing his first game of the season. Ben o’Halloran joined the team with Dan Shorrock moving to the bench, where Finn Kennedy was back after missing the last two games.

Blackburn kicked off playing towards the car park end and had the better of the early play and took the lead after eight minutes with a penalty by Lewis Allen. 0v3

Somewhat against the run of play Kendal took the lead five minutes later. A good handling move down the left saw Ben Dixon break to the line, only to be stopped there, but the ball was recycled and Dev Coyle burrowed over 5v3.

Blackburn continued to dominate, and re-took the lead after twenty minutes. Referee Rosie Proctor, had been strict on both teams on high tackles and when Zane Butler became the latest offender he was yellow carded and Lewis Allen put over the resulting penalty 5v6

Five minutes later the lead was extended. In the dreadful conditions, Blackburn did well to put a sweeping handling move from right to left, where Aaron Stephens was left marking three and Blackburn left wing Harry Aaronson exploited the gap left by the yellow card to score in the corner. The strong wind was across the field on his back, but Allen still did well to add the conversion from close to the touchline. 5v13

On a rare visit to the Blackburn half a good handling move by Kendal led to a Blackburn offence giving Aaron Stephens the chance to narrow the lead with a penalty with the final action of the half 8v13.

If anything the weather (as forecast) got worse after halftime, as did Blackburn’s dominance, but despite long periods in the Kendal twenty-two, they were unable to add a second try.

Kendal brought on Finn Kennedy and Dylan Douglas for Joe Anderson and Patrick Wolstenholme

Despite the conditions Blackburn players made few handling errors, regular ones from Kendal meant they were unable to break away from their half, whilst as the defending team Kendal gave away more penalties.

Quarter of an hour into the half, Kendal were again reduced to fourteen with a yellow card for Matt Houghton, but the defence held firm

There were further changes for Kendal with Dan Shorrock, Liam Barr and Mitch Saunders coming on and Patrick Wolstenholme returning but they could not break the Blackburn stranglehold.

As the game came to an end a Lewis Allen penalty finally made the game safe for Blackburn 8v16

Kendal had their best spell of the half, but did not look like getting the extra points to get the losing bonus point back.

At the end of the game the Blackburn players celebrated as if they had won a promotion decider, which suggests their aim this season may be avoiding a bottom four finish, rather than top three.

With a month of away trips to come with most of the remaining first round of games, the Kendal team needs a quick return to the form of the first three games, to gain points to push them up the table, but equally importantly deprive the opposition of the points to help their survival.

Next week a trip to Bowden, followed in fortnight by Dronfield, both below Kendal, before a week’s break and then tough challenges of leaders Anselmians then Rossendale.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Dane Blenkharn

ACTION

TEAM

OTHER RESULTS

A weekend of low scores

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