(updated) Hard Fought Victory

There were a number of changes from the team that had run Rossendale so close last weekend. Duncan Green and Dom Musetti returned in the front row, with Matty Houghton returning to the back row, and Ross McKay moving forward to the second row in place of Liam Hayton who had picked up an injury in training. Will Montgomery came in at No.8 for Chris Downham. In the back division James Gough returned with last week’s Man of the Match Dini Noyo returning to the right wing in place of Mark Carruthers who moved to the bench.

The opening exchanges were fairly even, but it soon became clear that Sandal had had strong set of forwards and Kendal were forced into a long period of defence, which was finally relieved when Sandal were penalised for obstruction at a ruck.

Duncan Green had been injured whilst making a tackle, and whilst he initially played on he was eventually forced to leave the field to be replaced by Robbie Collinson.

When on the attack Kendal were regularly been turned over and eventually after twenty minutes were made to pay, when Sandal moved the ball quickly and had men spare when centre Simon Frewin went over for the opening try, outside half James Eller added the conversion 0v7.

Kendal looked to have a opportunity to open their scoring when a penalty was put to touch and the lineout ball was gathered cleanly and a drive towards the line started, but again were turned over, to allow Sandal to relive the pressure.

Will Montgomery made a good run out of defence evading a number of tackles and when finally stopped, despite being isolated managed to retain the ball, until support arrived.

Kendal finally pulled three points back with the last action of the half, with Chris Park putting a penalty over, after Sandal had been caught offside in midfield, and Kendal had been unable to get across the line as the referee played advantage. 3v7

Sandal left the pitch at halftime and left Kendal waiting for the re-start, as they did not return for almost ten minutes.

Ten minutes into the second half Kendal made their second change with Blake Robinson, coming on in place of first half substitute, Robbie Collinson, who was clearly disappointed after another good performance, but Robinson was soon justifying the decision, with good work in attack and defence.

After a quarter of an hour Kendal took the lead. They were awarded a penalty for a high tackle, which ended a run by Dini Noyo. The kick was put to touch and the throw was safely gathered by Ben Leacock, and the forwards set up a text book drive to the line, with little that Sandal could do to stop them, with Glenn Chesher breaking away to crash over. 8v7.

Kendal continued to attack with some excellent handing, but were still losing too much ball in contact.

The supporters had bemoaning poor kicking throughout the afternoon, with kicks frequently not finding their target, but another loose kick was to pay off. Sandal attempted to set up a counter attack but the pass went loose, and whilst it was re-gathered, Danny Barker stole the ball and set up Zane Butler, and whilst he was stopped before the line, he got the ball away to Ross McKay who went over for the try. Crucially Chris Park was able to add the conversion for Kendal to open up a two score lead with a quarter of an hour to play. 15v7.

Kendal made another change with Mark Carruthers coming on in place of Dini Noyo, who had had another excellent game in defence.

As time ran out Kendal were looking for a third try, and the forwards were making good ground in the twenty-two, only for indecision to allow Sandal to turn the ball over again, and set up a break out of defence. When this was stopped near halfway, Kendal were penalised, allowing Sandal to put a kick deep into the Kendal half.

As Sandal looked for the try to narrow the gap, Kendal were penalised, and Matty Houghton yellow carded. Blake Robinson moved to hooker, and James Gough appeared to have stolen the ball from the back of the Sandal scrum, but again the referee penalised Kendal. This time the Sandal pack drove for the line, and when Kendal stopped the drive illegal, the referee awarded a penalty try which was converted. 15v14.

Despite being four minutes into added time, there was still time to play, due to a number of injury stoppages. Glenn Weightman put the restart kick long, and whilst Sandal tried to run the ball, spaces were quickly closed down, and eventually a pass went forward. There was still time for another scrum, and despite Sandal forcing a handing error at the back of the scrum, this was to be the last action of the game, and there was not to be a repeat of last weekend’s late disappointment.

A mixed performance with some excellent handing, and also defence against a powerful opponent, but far too much ball was lost in contact, and too often the ball was kicked away when handing options seemed available, but the right outcome this time.

Next Saturday is a weekend off (although the Development team are in Cup action at Mint Bridge), then away games at Doncaster Phoenix and Ilkley, before the grand finale at Mint Bridge against Billingham in just under a month’s time.

KENDAL WEBSITE MAN OF THE MATCH : Glenn Chesher
Plenty of choice this week with twelve players picking up a vote - including two replacements (I would say "finishers", but one replaced the other) showing just how strong competition for places is, but Glenn led the way with Ross McKay closest in pursuit.

Glenn who has not missed a game this season, has also only fail to register a vote twice and is well ahead of the rest in total votes collected

Referee : Carl Adams (RFU Midlands Group)

photo: Ben Leacock takes lineout ball to set up the first try
If you haven't seen it yet, go back to last week's report to see Rossendale's "grandstand" !