Great Performance - Disappointing Result

Both teams came into the game on the back of good winning runs, Kendal had five in a row, but Rossendale had six, all with try scoring bonus points, which had put them second in the league, against Kendal’s fourth, due to three extra bonus points.

Leo Mercer and Willie Hintz came in for the injured Dini Noyo and Chris Downham, whilst Chris Park returned at fullback. There was a familiar face in the Rossendale line-up with Kendal old boy Reece Tomlinson returning, looking much more muscular after his spell with Preston Grasshoppers.

Kendal had an excellent start. Rossendale put in a poor clearance kick to touch, after the Kendal kick off. From the resulting lineout, the Kendal forwards made a number of short bursts for the line, but the Rossendale defence was then caught, leaving a massive gap which James Gough was quick to exploit, darting through for the opening score after just two minutes of play. Chris Park converted 7v0.

Rossendale were almost immediately back on level terms. Liam Hayton gathered a good kick off, but Rossendale stole the ball back, and good passing seemed to have put them over for their opening score, but the referee called play back for a forward pass.

The respite was short live. With the referee seemed to be playing advantage for a dangerous tackle on a Rossendale player in midfield, the Kendal defence missed several tackles on the left for the Rossendale fullback to go through to score under the posts. Outside half S. Nutt added the conversion to tie the scores. 7v7. The referee took no further action on the earlier tackle.

Anyone expecting a repeat of the points bonanza against Morley was to be disappointed, as this was the final score of the half, with few chances for a score from either team.

Kendal probably got closest after a good drive from a lineout was stopped near the line, but the forwards failed to get the ball to ground, and Rossendale got the ball back.

When they had the ball, Rossendale were capable of putting long spells of possession together, but were also making a number of handling errors, but the ball seemed to be bouncing their way.

At half time, Rossendale had clearly been given a good taking to by their coaches, as they came out for the second half fired up. The Kendal defence somehow managed to keep waves of attacks out, but finally after ten minutes, the Rossendale forwards sucked the Kendal defence to the left, and the ball was moved right for wing S. Atiola to break through to score. 7v12.

The lead was doubled five minutes later with a third try, after the Kendal defence had again done well to prevent earlier scores. 7v17.

Rossendale had some good luck with their next score. They were on the attack in midfield, but the ball went loose after another handling error. Damian Armstrong got to the ball first and kicked the ball through, but the ball bounced back off a Rossendale player, who was able to gather and counterattack. Glenn Weightman made a crucial tackle to stop the move, but the player was allowed to hold onto the ball, and then passed it off the ground to a player in support. Some weak Kendal tackling, and good running by fullback D.Strong saw him go through to score, and this time outside half S.Nutt was successful with the conversion. 7v24.

Any thoughts that Kendal would cave in after conceding seventeen points in a eight minute spell were quickly dispelled, and they came back and had the better of play, but Rossendale’s defence was every bit as good as they had been in attack.

Richard Harryman came on for Blake Robinson, whilst Nathan Wooff replaced an injured Danny Barker, who had a good game in attack and defence. James Thompson was then replaced by John Dervey.

After having to weather another period of Rossendale attacks, Kendal finished the game the stronger, and after a string of penalties, many run quickly by James Gough, the referee’s patience with the Rossendale tactics slowing the Kendal ball down at the ruck ran out, and a player was yellow carded.

Kendal ended the game with a try. From a lineout in their twenty two Rossendale managed to lose their own ball, and it was taken to the line by the Kendal forwards, and when it came back, John Dervey arrived at speed to burst through for a try. 12v24

The referee clearly had a bonfire party to get to, as after playing just one minute injury time in the first half, he played none in the second, but had done well during the game to avoid any fireworks between the teams.

Despite the scoreline this was probably a much better performance than many of the team’s recent wins, and could have been a lot closer, but Rossendale may still have had more in the tank, after going off the boil once they had maximum points tied up early in the second half.

Next weekend it is an away trip to Sandal, where on their last visit in 2013, the team suffered their worst ever defeat. That team was low in confidence heading for relegation, this is a totally different one, which despite being virtually the same as played in North One last season, is showing it is up for playing with the big name teams in this league.

KENDAL WEBSITE MAN OF THE MATCH : James Gough
Just edging out Glenn Chesher