Hard Fought Victory

Back in action for the first time in three weeks, the Kendal line-up included Joe Robinson and Kris Bratton, who had both last started a game for the club over five years ago.

Visitors Cleckheaton only sat two points and three points outside the relegation places, so had plenty to play for.

Kendal started well, but could make no impression on a tight Cleckheaton defence.

The deadlock was finally broken after quarter of an hour, when Cleckheaton gave away a soft penalty, with chasing players being caught ahead of the kicker, when a long kick was put downfield. Chris Park stepped up to put the kick over. 3v0.

There was a blow for Kendal as Duncan Green, who had been injured earlier, was forced off, with Robbie Collinson coming off the bench.

Kendal continued to have bulk of possession and territory, but were to lose the lead after half an hour. After what had initially looked a poor kick through, there was a string of errors as various Kendal players failed to gather the ball on the sticky ground, and Cleckheaton centre Matt Piper benefitted, hacking the ball through to gather and score under the posts with fullback James Wilson adding the simple conversion 3v7, with almost Cleckheaton’s first visit to the Kendal twenty two

This stung Kendal into action, and after a few attempts to drive from lineouts had been thwarted, there was no mistake when another penalty was put to touch. The forwards drove over the line for Robbie Collinson to touch down, for Kendal to re-take the lead. 8v7.

As the game moved into injury time, after failing to find a way through the Cleckheaton defence, Kendal varied their attack. Kris Bratton, who already had made a few good breaks down the wing, popped up in the centre. He broke through, but his run was ended by a high tackle by Cleckheaton centre Josh Hall, who was yellow carded.

Kendal stayed on the attack, but little errors keep them from adding a further score. Then a refereeing decision clearly upset the Kendal pack, as it gave Cleckheaton a scrum, but they responded perfectly stealing the ball at the scrum. A number of runs from the forwards set up a good position, then Damian Armstrong broke through, only to be stopped near the line, but Joe Robinson was on hand to go over for the try. Chris Park converted 15v7.

This remained the score at half time, with Kendal having had the wind in their favour in the first half, but would finish the game attacking their favoured clubhouse end.

There had been a number of altercations between the players in the first half, and early in the second half the Cleckheaton captain Richard Piper and stand in Kendal captain Dom Musetti were summonds by the referee, with Piper yellow carded, and Kendal awarded a penalty.

The game was mainly being played around the halfway line, Kendal had most of the ball, but could not find a way through.

Finally the third try arrived after a quarter of an hour. After good work on the right the ball was moved left. Damian Armstrong made a break, and then passed to Kris Bratton, who still had plenty to do, but a magnificent weaving run around potential tacklers put him over for his second try in two games, after only scoring twice in twenty six games in his first spell with the club. Chris Park added the conversion 22v7

After the score, James Thompson came on for Chris Downham, and shortly afterwards Mark Carruthers replaced James Gough, with Dini Noyo moving to scrum half.

Kendal continued to press, but could find no way through and Cleckheaton occasionally looked to break out, and with ten minutes to play, Blake Robinson was yellow carded for an offence at the breakdown.

With two minutes to play the referee was forced into issuing another card. After breaking out of defence, Danny Barker, and Cleckheaton centre Josh Hall appeared to throw a punch. Despite already having being yellow carded, the referee decided it was a “punch to the head” so it was a Red card offence, and sent him off.

There was no further score.

A mixed game, against a very good defensive team, who offered little in attack, and the disappointment, was the fourth bonus point try could not be found.

On this performance Cleckheaton will need help from others to preserve their position in the league, starting next weekend when Kendal need to repeat their attacking performance when they travel for the rearranged game against Cleckheaton’s relegation rivals Morley.

KENDAL MAN OF THE MATCH : KRIS BRATTON
The spectacular try and a number of other good runs got Kris the vote this week, with substitue Robbie Collinson and Ben Leacock a few votes behind