Bonus

Back to rugby after three weeks off over the Christmas break, and back on the main pitch after the two games prior to Christmas had to be moved onto the 3G pitch, with the main pitch frozen.

Two changes to the team who faced Kirkby Lonsdale, with Glenn Chesher coming in for Duncan Green, who will be out for six to eight weeks, after having to have his appendix removed over Christmas. Ben Dixon made a first League start at No.8 in place of Chris Downham. Chris Park, Garry Holmes, and Robbie Collinson started on the bench.

Kendal had had an excellent away win at Rossendale earlier in the season, who having finished second last season, found themselves in ninth place, partly due to having had three games postponed due to the weather before Christmas.

Reece Tomlinson and Joe Robinson who had previously appeared in Black and Amber, started for the opposition.

Rossendale started well, forcing Kendal into a long period in defence. They finally opened the scoring after seven minutes, with a Penalty Try, awarded as Kendal tried to defend a drive from a lineout. 0v7

Jacob Sutton was yellow carded for his part in the penalty, whilst Reece Tomlinson was forced off with an injury.

Whilst Rossendale continued to attack, Kendal had no problems holding out until they were back to fifteen men, with a fast defence forcing Rossendale into a number of handling errors.

Having spent the first twenty minutes defending in their own half, Kendal broke out and played some good rugby, and against the run of play, drew level after twenty five minutes. Ben Dixon broke away from a good forward drive, and powered through from the twenty-two to score under the posts. Glen Weightman added the conversion 7v7.

Reece Tomlinson returned in place of the other former Kendal player Joe Robinson.

Kendal were unfortunate in the build up to Rossendale’s second try. Nathan Wooff had difficulty dealing with a kick through, but clearly did not knock the ball on. The referee thought otherwise and awarded Rossendale a scrum. A Rossendale player then punished a gap in midfield, in the previously solid defence, to romp through for a try under the post, which was converted by outside half Lewis Allen. 7v14.

In injury time, Mike Fearon as forced off with an injury, Chris Park came on at fullback, with Nathan Wooff moving onto the wing, and Kris Bratton to the centre.

Kendal started the second half well, and narrowed the score after five minute. Kendal stole Rossendale ball, only immediately to lose it, but Jacob Sutton managed to regain it, and when Rossendale tried to regain it illegally, they were penalised. Chris Park put over the long range penalty. 10v14.

Reece Tomlinson was forced off again, with Joe Robinson returning in his place.

Rossendale extended their lead after a quarter of an hour. Kendal held out as the Rossendale pack drove for the line, but with the defence committed, there was nothing they could do when the ball was moved wide for centre Jack Ward to go over for a try, but the conversion was not successful. 10v19.

Kendal made further changes with Garry Holmes and Robbie Collinson coming on for Dom Musetti and Jacob Sutton, who had been having another good game.

With the changes Rossendale got ascendancy at the scrum, with the Kendal pack struggling.

There was another injury for Kendal after twenty five minutes when Liam Hayton was forced off with a knee problem. Jacob Sutton returned in his place.

With five minutes to play, Kendal were penalised in mid-field for a high tackle. The kick was put to touch, and the Rossendale pack drove over for their third try, but again the conversion failed. 10v24.

Kendal caught Rossendale out, taking a quick re-started kick, which put them on the attack. When the ball came back to Glen Weightman, he rolled a kick into the corner for Nathan Wooff to follow and touchdown. Chris Park put over an excellent conversion kick from near the touchline, to bring Kendal within a score of a draw.

Rossendale, did not try to run the clock down, and instead went looking for a bonus point fourth try, but Kendal probably had the better chance, as a passing move near halfway, seemed to be opening up space on the right, but a difficult pass went to ground.

Having survived this scare, when they had the opportunity Rossendale seemed happy to put the ball to touch to seal victory.

Whilst this was a much better game than the two before Christmas, it was clear to see why both teams are at the wrong end of the table, with Kendal not getting enough ball, and Rossendale not making best use of the large amount they had.

There will be concern on the two injuries to key players, with a third already out for some time, but on a positive side Ben Dixon had a good game, again showing the strength in depth offered by the Development team

The final of the run of four home game in a row next weekend, with Pocklington the visitors.

KENDAL MAN OF THE MATCH : Ben Dixon
A well taken try and some crunching tackles, put Ben well ahead of the rest of the field