Back on the Winning Road

There were changes to the team again, with Dini Noyo dropping out with an injury, with his place taken by Leo Mercer, whilst Zane Butler returned in place of Damian Armstrong. In the pack Ben Leacock returned in the second row, with Ross McKay moving to the flank, Matty Houghton to No.8 and Garry Holmes to the bench.

Visitors Doncaster Phoenix were making their first visit to Mint Bridge, after like Kendal finishing as Champions last season, in North East One. They had had mixed results so far, and sat in tenth place three places below Kendal.

The early exchanges were even, with neither team threatening the others line. Kendal were having the better of play, but Doncaster were competing at the breakdown, forcing Kendal into conceding a number of penalties.

James Gough managed to charged down a delayed clearance kick, but the ball bounced favourably for Doncaster into one of their players hands.

The Kendal scrum was getting the upper hand, but Doncaster were still managing to get the ball back. In the lineout Doncaster were having the better game, stealing a number of Kendal throws.

Kendal finally broke the deadlock after a quarter of an hour of play. From a penalty, the ball was put to touch and Ben Leacock won the lineout. When the ball came back, Glenn Weightman spotted a gap in the defence, and drifted through it, but still had plenty to do to get to the line for the score. Chris Park added the conversion. 7v0.

After twenty five minutes, Doncaster were reduced to fourteen men, after their scrum half was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on, to end a Kendal attack near the line.

Kendal extended their lead shortly afterwards. From a lineout the forwards drove to the line. James Gough then took the ball, and found a way through to the line. Chris Park again added the conversion. 14v0.

Doncaster quickly struck back, on one of their first visits to the Kendal twenty two. They won a lineout and set up a excellent drive to the line, the referee indicated several penalty advantages, but they were not needed, as Doncaster went over for the try, which was converted by outside half Jamie Lennard (?). 14v7.

This remained the score at half time.

Kendal started the second half with Garry Holmes replacing Jack Walker in the back row.

Doncaster had the better of the early play, with Kendal spend a long spell in defence. They had a let off when a penalty was not converted, after James Gough did very well to gather a chip through, but was then penalised for failing to release.

After ten minutes Kendal made a second replacement with James Thompson coming on for Ben Leacock.

Having withstood the pressure, play moved to the other end of the field. From a penalty near the line Glenn Weightman took a quick penalty, but was obstructed. The referee appeared unable to identify the culprit to issue a yellow card, but instead gave a team warning. Kendal again ran the penalty, instead of taking the easy kick at goal, and were rewarded when the forwards drove over with Garry Holmes emerging with the ball. Chris Park again added the penalty. 21v7

Matty Houghton who had been injured in the build up to the try was replaced by Josh Coyle.

Shortly afterwards a second Doncaster player was given a yellow card, having failed to listen to the recent warning.

Kendal sealed the game and a bonus point, as the game entered the final quarter. Doncaster were on the attack near halfway, and a kick was put across field. Instead of being collected by a Doncaster player, it was Leo Mercer who did very well to gather it, then to set up Zane Butler in support, who powered away to beat the defence to score in the corner. Chris Park was unable to add the difficult conversion kick. 26v7

The Doncaster No.8 Adam Kettle (?) became his team’s third player issued with a yellow card, after a shoulder charge.

Glenn Weightman who had been having a good game in attack weaved through again, but lost the ball in the tackle.

There was no further scoring

A far from convincing performance, but a good result against a team who were always competing for the ball at the breakdown, and chanced their arm coming up quickly in defence.

Another home game next weekend, and another difficult match against Ilkley who sit just behind us in the league.

Kendal Man Website of the Match : Chris Park
Just ahead of Glenn Weightman, with twelve of the squad getting a votes.

We leapfrog Hull into sixth place, 3 points behind Billingham and 4 behind Sandal