Beach Rugby {Updated}

Summer had arrived, and rather than play on the Knights main pitch, the game took place on a side pitch, large parts of which were covered in a thick layer of sand.

There were a number of changes up front from the last game against Sandal a fortnight ago, but the back division was unchanged. In the front row, Richard Harryman came in for Dom Musetti and Matty Houghton replaced Duncan Green. With Liam Hayton still out, James Thompson replaced Ross McKay in the second row, with Blake Robinson coming into back row. Young Will Montgomery retained his place at No.8.

Kendal started poorly, first having their lineout ball stolen when on the attack, then once Doncaster had used this to get deep into the Kendal half, a second lost lineout, set up an opening score try for Doncaster after five minutes, which was converted by scrum half Tim Elliot. 7v0.

Kendal came back into the game, but when a penalty was put to touch, deep in the Doncaster half, a third lost lineout and so was the chance. The Doncaster defence was preventing Kendal have any space to launch attacks, and Kendal mistakes and turnovers were also stopping the team gaining any momentum.

The Doncaster coach made an early tactical change, taking his right wing off and bringing on a substitute. This was soon paid off as he added the second try, following up a kick chipped down the right wing to score, but could not add the conversion to his own score.12v0.

Kendal’s lineout problems and the failure to find a way to break the Doncaster defence, meant when awarded a penalty for offside in midfield after twenty five minutes, stand-in captain James Gough gave the ball to Chris Park to narrow the lead with a penalty. 12v3.

Kendal continued to press, and Will Montgomery made a good run down the left wing, and when he was stopped, Kris Bratton took the move on, but found himself forced towards the touchline.

Doncaster were starting to concede a string of penalties, as Kendal upped their game, and finally Chris Park was given the opportunity to narrow the score. 12v6.

All the good work was immediately undone, as Kendal failed to gather the kick-off which allowed Doncaster to re-gather the ball and set up burley centre Sam Bottomley, who caused problems all afternoon, for a barnstorming run to the line, the substitute added the conversion. 19v6.

A number of Kendal players had been carrying knocks, and immediately after the try Ben Leacock and Chris Park were both forced off, to be replaced by Josh Coyle and Damian Armstrong.

Before halftime Doncaster added a fourth try, for a bonus point, when their pack drove to the line after a lineout, to extend the half time lead to 26v6, despite Kendal probably having more of the ball and time in their opponents half.

At half time Glenn Chesher was forced off with Garry Holmes coming on to replace him.

There was controversy ten minutes into the second half, when a Kendal player was taken out with a dangerous high tackle. Even before the recent tough stance being taken by referees on any tackle above shoulder height, this appeared a clear Red card offence, so young Doncaster hooker Will Hocking appeared very lucky that the referee decided it only warranted a yellow card.

Despite being down to fourteen men, Doncaster continued to play the better rugby, and extended their lead when a Kendal player, was penalised for handing at a ruck. 29v6

Just before Hocking was due to return after his enforced spell on the touchline, Kendal scored their opening try. James Gough took a penalty quickly, Richard Harryman took the ball on only to be stopped close to the line, but Garry Holmes went over for the try. Glenn Weightman was unable to add the difficult conversion. 29v11.

Doncaster continued to cause problems for the Kendal defence, with quick offloads out of the tackle keeping the ball moving, whilst in defence they were cutting off Kendal passes, and several times managed to intercept loose passes, as Kendal tried to keep the ball moving to build some momentum.

With ten minutes to play, Blake Robinson was forced off with a head injury, and with all the fit substitutes already used, Glenn Chesher returned to the action.

Despite the scoreline Kendal kept looking to make ground, with James Gough leading from the front, probing for gaps, but unlike Doncaster, Kendal could not get players in position for the quick offload.

As the game entered injury time, Doncaster were on the attack looking for another score, but it was Kendal who were to have the last word. Dini Noyo made a break and fed Will Montgomery, who despite playing eighty minutes in very hot conditions, showed amazing speed to power almost the length of the field down the right wing, and whilst stopped near the line, regained his feet to go over for his first try First XV try, which Glenn Weightman converted with last action of the game.

So Kendal won the second half 12v3, but the damage had already been done before half time.

Despite Kendal not being at their best, and being hampered by a number of injuries, Doncaster were good value for their win, looking well organised both in attack and defence, and unlike Morley, who appeared to have recruited a new team to fight against relegation in their recent game against Kendal, this was close to the team who were well beaten at Mint Bridge earlier in the season.

For Kendal, whilst probably going in the “ones that got away” box, this was no repeat of the performances away at Lymm and Sandal away, and the main concern will be the number and extent of the injuries, as they try to bounce back in a second away match in a row at Ilkley next weekend.

Kendal Website Man of the Match : JOE ROBINSON
Even if he didn't score the second try (a magnificent effort by Will Montgomery - sorry for the confusion) Joe topped the votes this week, just holding off Richard Harryman, with half time substitute Garry Holmes just behind him