Simply Magnificent Performance

Neither team had had the start to the season they would have wanted, with Rossendale losing their opening game at Hull, before a good win against promoted Birkenhead Park, whilst Kendal’s two opening losses, saw them needing victory to avoid slipping into the bottom three, with the teams below them playing each other.

Chris Park came in for Nathan Wooff, and Matthew Kaye made a first start for several years, coming in at scrum half for James Gough. In the pack Garry Holmes returned at hooker after missing the Kirkby Lonsdale game with an injury, whilst Will Montgomery made a season’s debut at No.8, with Ross McKay starting on the bench.

Rossendale started with two players who have been seen in Kendal colours, with Reece Tomlinson at 5 and Curtis Strong who played well in the pre-season game against Stockport, at 12, but a third Joe Robinson was not in the squad.

For a third game in a row Kendal did not make the best start. After five minutes from a lineout on the right the ball was moved left for speedy wing Leon Simpson to evade some poor tackling for a try in the corner 5v0, Unfortunately the referee had had his back to play, keeping the Kendal backs on side. when the ball appeared to be knocked on in the build-up. 5v0

Kendal were then unfortunate when Danny Barker made a break through the Rossendale defence, after Rossendale had spilled the ball, only for the referee to choose to not play advantage, and called play back for a scrum, where Rossendale drove Kendal back to force an error, although two of their back row seemed to break from the scrum before the ball was released.

Rossendale had a second try after ten minutes. A good break down the right wing was stopped with a tackle near the line, but the referee adjudged it was dangerous, and awarded Rossendale the penalty, which was put to touch for the forwards to drive to the line for the score, which this time was converted by outside half Lewis Allen. 12v0

Kendal were straight back into the game. A high hanging kick off from Glen Weightman, was perfectly judged by Dini Noyo who caught the player taking the catch to drive him into touch. From the line out Will Montgomery made a break, and when he was stopped the ball came back to Chris Park, who tried to chip the ball over advancing Rossendale defence, only for the kick to be intercepted, but the referee adjudged this was due to offside and Chris Park stepped up to open Kendal’s scoring. 12v3

Rossendale were straight back, and only a tackle by Dini Noyo stopped a try in the left corner. Again the referee adjudged the tackle to be dangerous, and the penalty was run quickly. When Rossendale were stopped, Matthew Kaye was in quickly to steal the ball, only for the referee to penalise the tackler for not being ten metres back. Rossendale put the kick to touch, and as they drove from the lineout, Kendal were penalised for illegally stopping the move, and warned by the referee for conceding three penalties in quick succession.

Again the ball was put to touch, and when the lineout was won the ball was moved across field. As the wing went in for the score in the corner, the Rossendale touch judge put his flag up, only to quickly put it down again. The referee checked with him, but then awarded the try. 17v3.

A tough afternoon ahead looked on the cards, with Rossendale’s quick hands and excellent interplay, seeming to give them an extra man in the back division. Kendal however were about to step up several gears to play their best rugby of the season.

Another excellently weighted kick again saw Dini Noyo tackle the ball carrier, but this time Matty Houghton was in to try to steal the ball, and when the ball was not released, Kendal were awarded a penalty. Despite being so far adrift, the team had learnt from failing to take the points in the previous two games, and Chris Park stepped up to add a second penalty. 17v6

Three minutes later the gap was further narrowed with a third Chris Park penalty, following good runs from Dini Noyo, Garry Holmes, Glen Weightman and Mike Fearon. 17v9.

Kendal were competing for every ball, giving Rossendale no time, which clearly had them rattled. When Kendal were penalised, there was an altercation on the ground, and the referee reversed the penalty for Rossendale dissent, but the long range penalty failed to hit the target.

Matthew Kaye was having an excellent game, keeping the ball moving quickly from the breakdown with plenty of options being offered from the players around him.

More excellent attacking play, set up a further Chris Park penalty, with Will Montgomery, Liam Hayton and Dini Noyo all making ground. 17v12.

Things were soon to get even better for Kendal. Dom Musetti took the kick off and made ground. The Rossendale right wing had looked very good going forward, but already had looked in difficult with a high ball, and when Glen Weightman tested him again, he totally misjudged the kick, Dini Noyo showed amazing handling to gather the bounce, and then despite being off balance, re-gain his feet and sprint to the line for the score. Unfortunately he was unaware that the two players in pursuit were not Rossendale defenders, but Danny Barker and Glen Weightman in support, so dived for the line, rather than taking the ball under the posts, and the conversion came back off the post, but Kendal were in level terms. 17v17.

Danny Barker again seemed to have broken the Rossendale defence, but play was called back for a forward pass.

Kendal continued to press, but could not add to their score before halftime, and Rossendale would have the benefit of the slope in the second half.

Duncan Green came on for Garry Holmes, and with his first touch he was stopped with a head high tackle by his opposite number, who was immediately given a yellow card by the referee. Unfortunately Will Montgomery had been injured in the build-up, and was forced off with Ross McKay coming on. Montgomery was however soon back on, replacing Liam Hayton.

Kendal continued where they had left off in the first half and battered the Rossendale line in the opening exchanged. After excellent build up play, Mike Fearon, managed to weave his way through the Rossendale defence, then break through some tackles, to go over for a try under the post, with Chris Park adding the simple conversion. 24v17.

Rossendale came back and tested the Kendal defence for a long period, but the team somehow managed to hold out, and finally an error forced a Kendal scrum. Will Montgomery made a good break from the resukting scrum, but then the ball was lost in the tackle, and Rossendale moved it right, where there was finally a try. The conversion hit the post, so Kendal maintained their slender lead. 24v22.

Kendal continued to press for a further score, with Duncan Green, Matthew Charters and the both props, all frequent making ground, and getting the ball back for Matthew Kaye to set up with next attack, with Glen Weightman, Mike Fearon and Dini Noyo all finding gaps, but the Rossendale defence was holding firm.

Kendal made further changes with Liam Hayton returning for Dom Musetti, and Mark Carruthers coming on for Danny Barker.

Finally after sustaining the long period of Kendal pressure, Rossendale managed go break out, taking play to the other end of the field. More quick handling saw the ball moved to Leon Simpson who had looked dangerous whenever he had the ball, and he went over for the try to give Rossendale the lead, with outside half Lewis Allan adding the conversion. 24v29 with ten minutes to play.

Kendal again stepped up a gear. Will Montgomery somehow evade several tackles on halfway and made a powerful break down the left wing, only to get stopped on the twenty two. When awarded a penalty, rather than look to narrow the score, and try to come back for more, the ball was put to touch, and the forwards made good ground, but could not cross the line. A second penalty was again put to touch, but again Rossendale seemed to be holding out as the clock ran down. Will Montgomery then seemed to be through, but was stopped on the line, however moments later the referee headed behind the posts and awarded a penalty try.

There was a moment of confusion, as now penalty tries are worth seven points and do not need to be converted, so Kendal had the lead, with two minutes of normal time plus injuries to play. 31v29.

Fears of the last seasons last minute heartbreak were dispelled, as the Rossendale defence was clearly tiring and from the kick off Glen Weightman and Matty Houghton both found gaps to made good breaks, as the team looked for a fourth bonus point try. A handling error gave Rossendale a scrum, but solid Kendal defence in midfield, meant there was no chance for a winning score, and this was to be the last chance for Rossendale, as the referee blew for full time.

A quite remarkable performance, coming from twelve and fourteen points down, against a team with an excellent back division, and a robust pack. This was a totally transformed performance from those in the past two games, with standout performances, especially in attack, from a number of players.

A repeat performance is essential next week for the first ever visit to new boys Pocklington, whilst Rossendale have the pleasure of a visit to Kirkby Lonsdale, in search of taking their long ground record, after Ilkley ended Kirkby's long winning run.

WEBSITE KENDAL MAN OF THE MATCH : Mattie Kaye
Mattie just edged out Dom Musetti whilst Will Montgomery was just behind