Well Beaten despite Battling Performance

Away at the unbeaten league leaders, who had excellent records in both attack and defence, was always going to be a tough task, but the team played well against a side quick to exploit any lapse.

The only change from last weekend was Damian Armstrong coming in for Leo Mercer on the left wing, after Matty Houghton who had originally been selected was not available. Jordan Johnson came in on the bench, for a first appearance of the season.

Early exchanges were fairly even, but Huddersfield opened the scoring after ten minutes with a penalty. Huddersfield No. 6 Ben Morrill, broke from a scrum, where his pack had driven the Kendal eight. After evading a number of tackles he was finally stopped by Dini Noyo, but the referee decided the tackle had been high, and outside half Chris Bell, who had a flawless kicking display, opened the scoring. 3v0.

In the early exchanges Bell tested Chris Park with a number of massive kicks, giving his team plenty of opportunity to chase, but Park was equally to the challenge, gathering the ball well and holding off the tacklers.

Huddersfield scored their opening try after quarter of an hour of play. The pack punched holes in the centre of the field, before the ball was moved to the right for wing Danny Granger to go in for the try. Bell added the conversion. 10v0.

There was concern for Kendal as young back row Will Montgomery had been injured in the build up, and was laid out on the floor. It looked as if he would be unable to continue, but managed to get back to his feet, and played the rest of the game.

Kendal hit back almost immediately. From the kick off, Huddersfield kicked the ball upfield. Damian Armstrong gathered and chipped the ball over the defence, but Huddersfield were penalised, as several forwards had been caught offside from the original kick. Chris Park put the kick over 10v3

Whilst Huddersfield had the better of play, Kendal tried to attack when they had the ball, with Zane Butler and Danny Barker, both making ground, but the Huddersfield defence was always quick to re-group. Glenn Weightman, had another weaving run, but lost his footing as the defence closed in.

After half an hour Kendal were forced to make a change, with Ross McKay being going off with an injury, and James Thompson replacing him.

Huddersfield’s second try came after another powerful Huddersfield scrum had earned them a penalty. This was put to touch, and from the lineout the ball was moved into midfield where centre Elliot Hodgson, made an excellent solo run, side stepping his way through attempted tackles for a try, which Chris Bell again converted. 17v3.

As the half came to an end, Huddersfield added a third try. Glenn Weightman, had gone for too much distance with a penalty, and failed to find touch. The ball was returned with a steepling kick that Dini Noyo was unable to gather. Huddersfield swept the ball up, and out to the right wing for a second Danny Granger try, which Chris Bell again converted. 24v3, which remained the score at half time.

Huddersfield left the field at half time, and seemed to have gone off the boil, as Kendal had more of the possession, but rarely looked as if they could breach the very strong Huddersfield defence.

When Huddersfield had the ball, the Kendal defence had tightened which stopped their opponents getting the momentum that had made them so dangerous in the first half.

Kendal’s best chance of a score came when Mark Carruthers took the ball on the right wing, and chipped over the defence. As he followed his kick he was obstructed earning a penalty, but despite a warning, the referee kept his yellow card in his pocket, and Kendal were penalised at the resulting lineout.

Josh Coyle and Jordan Johnson came for Ben Leacock and Mark Carruthers, both of whom had been playing well and were unfortunate to come off, but both replacements were soon in the action themselves.

Finally after half an hour Huddersfield, stepped up a few gears again, and added their fourth, bonus point earning try. An excellent long rolling kick to the right forced Chris Park to concede a lineout. From the lineout, the ball was moved into the centre where a forward made a burst through the defence, when he was stopped, the ball was moved wide for a score on the left, where second row Nick Sharpe (?) was driven over when stopped near the line 31v3 with the conversion.

Mark Carruthers returned for Glenn Weightman, and Chris Park moved to outside half.

The Huddersfield final try came at the end of normal time, from inter-passing down the right wing. 38v3 with the conversion.

Despite the scoreline, which certainly did not flatter a quality Huddersfield team, who will take some stopping in their march to an immediate return to National League 2, this was a good Kendal performance, both in attack and defence.

KENDAL MAN OF THE MATCH : Chris Park
In such a tough game it looked a difficult decision this week, but Chris was well out on front of the others

Thanks to all those who take the time each week to register a vote, a small but dedicated band.

Have an excellent Christmas and New Year, and come back refreshed for another big challenge on January 7th at Mint Bridge, when Wirral are the visitors, no doubt in search of revenge for being turned over at home at the start of the season.