Heavy Weather (2)

Ben Leacock and Ross McKay returned to the pack, whilst Kris Bratton returned to the bench for a first appearance since the 2011/12 season.

Stockport started well, playing a simple but effective game of keeping the ball tight amongst their forwards, with Kendal being unable to get any time with the ball.

The deadlock was broken after five minutes of play. From a scrum deep in his own half, Chris Downham picked up and ran at the defence, with the Stockport wing as the last line of defence, he dummied a pass to Damian Armstrong in support, but instead powered to the line himself for the try, to remind the crowd what he could do, after some quieter performances since returning from injury. Chris Park added the conversion. 7v0.

Stockport continued to play well, but ten minutes later Kendal doubled their lead. Damian Armstrong was put into space on the right wing, but was caught on his run to the line, and could not get a pass away cleanly, and the ball went to touch. The Stockport throw failed to hit its target with James Gough being first to react, gathering and getting the ball away, for Danny Barker to put Zane Butler in for the try. Chris Park again added the conversion. 14v0

Stockport had a couple of let offs as Kendal started to press home their advantage. Glenn Weightman put a kick through for Zane Butler to chase, who then hacked the ball on, but the referee was not convinced he touched the ball down, before a Stockport defender, and awarded a drop out.

Dini Noyo then had a rare opportunity to run, with a break from the Kendal half, but after making good ground, his pass to Zane Butler was forward.

Kendal finally added a third try with five minutes of the half to play. A Stockport forward pass gave Kendal a scrum. As the ball went in, the backs switched play from left to the right, and from a James Gough break, Danny Barker passed to Damian Armstrong for the try. 21v0, which remained the score at half time.

Kendal brought their three substitutes on at half time with Robbie Collinson, John Dervey and Kris Bratton, replacing Duncan Green, Liam Hayton and Dini Noyo.

Stockport continued to play well, whilst Kendal were being hampered when they had the ball, with ball being lost in contact, penalties being conceded for failing to release, and kicks through gifting ball back to Stockport, who were proving much better at keeping hold of the ball to slow play down, and concerns for the illusive bonus point fourth try were rising.

After twenty minutes, Liam Hayton returned after Chris Downham was forced off.

The fourth try finally came after twenty five minutes of the half. From a scrum in mid-field, the ball was moved to the right wing where Damian Armstrong made ground down the wing, for a try in the corner. Chris Park, hit the post as he slipped going for the difficult conversion. 26v0.

Finally after half an hour, Kendal started to move the ball wide, and were quickly rewarded with a further try. Kris Bratton, who had had a number of good runs since coming on, broke through and when stopped the ball was moved on by Glenn Chesher, with Glenn Weightman finished off the move with a try. 31v0.

Kendal were soon back in attack looking for a further try, but Stockport managed to hold out.

The defence was finally breached with the final move of the game. From a lineout the ball was moved to Kris Bratton, who did very well on the sticky surface to power around his opposite number for the try. 36v0.

Job done with a win and maximum points, and a good defensive performances

Kendal Man of the Match : Dom Musetti