Close Game in Dreadful Conditions

A first visit to Kendal for York, who arrived joint top with Morley. The only change to the Kendal team, from their narrow defeat at Bradford & Bingley a fortnight ago, was Chris Evans returning for Ciaran Ward.

After a damp morning, conditions for the game were dreadful with a strong wind and rain making handling and kicking difficult.

The first twenty minutes were fairly even with most of the play between the twenty-twos, and little threat of a score from either team. York were well on top in the scrum, but Kendal probably had the better of the lineout, with a number of York throws either stolen or disrupted.

The first real chance of a try came when Glen Weightman, found his pass cut off by the York defence, which was up very fast. So instead he went for the line himself, and whilst he made it, the referee spotted he lost the ball as he went to touchdown.

Shortly afterwards Dini Noyo had a run down the left, then put a clever kick around the last defence only to see the ball roll into touch.

Glen Weightman attempted two long range penalties, but in the conditions both were blown off target

So 0v0 at half time.

The second half continued in the same fashion, Kendal probably having the better of territory, but York having more of the ball, but now finding it more difficult to make ground, with the Kendal defence tightened up from the early part of the game.

The deadlock was finally broken ten minutes into the half when York outside half Declan Cusack put over a penalty 0v3

Kendal brought on Alistair Thompson for Dan Greenwood, with Ben Dixon moving to No.8, and Jack Lashley for Tom Moulton.

The York lead was extended after twenty minutes. Having seeming to have defended a York attack, Kendal forced an error and won a scrum, but were then driven off the ball, and after several drives, a gap opened up for a York try. 0v8

Kendal brought on Lewis Kincart at scrum half for Jordan Johnson, who had worked hard in defence, but had struggled with passes in the poor conditions.

Late on Lewis Kincart was to have the Kendal moment of the game, which deserved, but did not get, a try. From bad ball from a scrum in his own half, he spotted a gap and despite the wet conditions powered through, as the defence closed in, he chipped ahead and chased his own kick. There was a hint of obstruction, but the referee was happy, and Kincart was just beaten to the touchdown.

In injury time Kendal were pushing for a try in the York twenty two, to snatch a losing bonus point, only for a pass to go astray. The ball was then kick through by a Kendal player, only to go straight into the hands of a York player, who went the length of the field to score under the posts with the final play of the game 0v15.

The late try meant the scoreline probably flattered York, and whilst the better team on the afternoon won, as so often this season if the ball had bounced different, they may have just been edged out.

York looked a good well organised, well balanced team. and it is clear why they are on a run of nine wins in ten, conditions did not help them, but Kendal still did well to get so close.

Sorry for the short report this week – it does not reflect the lack of action in the game, but the conditions which made it impossible to make many notes, and those made turned to papier-mâché

Next weekend another tough task away to Cleckheaton, who won week this weekend at Bradford & Bingley to go fourth in the table.

Your Kentdale Kendal Man of the Match : Greg Wrathall
A fourth time topping the votes for the find of the season, after another hardworking display.
Robbie Collinson was a few votes back, with Steven Nelson a vote behind him, to keep Greg in sight at the top of the "Road to Kentdale" (before the coaches votes are added). Another seven picked up votes, including some backs, who did well on an afternoon more suited to eight man rugby.

The biggest vote of the season. Thanks to all who took part