1st XV
Matches
Sat 01 Feb 2020  ·  North One East
Kendal R.U.F.C.
1st XV
Tries: M Houghton, B Dixon (2), N Carlton, G Wrathall, G Weightman, M CarruthersConversions: G Weightman (4)
43
5
Morley
Simply Magnificent

Simply Magnificent

Mark Hodgkiss1 Feb 2020 - 19:46
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The best home performance for several seasons !

The good start to the season had come to the end a fortnight ago, and sitting just above the relegation zone, a return to form was required.

The visitors Morley had sat at the top of the table in mid-December, but a poor run then had seen them drop to fourth, although had won their last match. Kendal played well in the away fixture earlier in the season, but had narrowly lost out in a game they could and should have won.

Just one change to the team beaten at Percy Park, enforced by wing Rory Blakeney-Edwards moving to the Manchester area for work, and therefore returning to Broughton Park. This meant versatile back row man Ben Dixon, who had been away over Christmas, coming in on the right wing. Nathan Woof and Dini Noyo joined Tom Moulton on the bench.

On another wet and windy afternoon at Mint Bridge, Morley made the better start and it was several minutes before Kendal had the ball, losing an early lineout.

Finally a Morley handling error gave Kendal the ball, and Glen Weightman put a long kick down field which forced another error, and put Kendal on the attack, which they rarely came off for most of the half.

There was good patience build up work in the Morley twenty two, before after ten minutes Matt Houghton forced his way out of a few tackles to score from short range. Glen Weightman added the conversion. 7v0.

Morley were trapped in their half, and whenever they had the ball the Kendal defence was solid, giving them no room and often forcing them backwards.

After twenty minutes the lead was doubled. Pressure forced a Morley handling error near halfway, Glen Weightman mopped the ball up and then got the ball away to Ben Dixon who powered down the right touchline. Whilst he was caught near the line, he was powerful enough to get to the line to touchdown. Despite the swirling wind, Glen Weightman added the excellent touchline conversion. 14v0.

It got even better two minutes later. Another Morley handling error saw the ball turned over, their defence came up very quickly which opened a gap for Mark Carruthers to go for the line, despite having Nick Carlton outside him. Whilst Carruthers was stopped near the line, Kendal support was quickly there to recycle the ball, and get it to Carlton who went over in the corner. 19v0

Lewis Kincart at scrum half was playing the perfect game, make sure he was at the breakdown fast to keep the ball moving, giving Morley no time to disrupted Kendal ball. The forwards were also normally quickly on hand to take the ball on, and look to open up the defence. There was also move variety moves behind the pack, but hard as they tried Danny Barker and Steven Nelson, could not open up the Morley defence.

Morley were working hard to break the defensive stranglehold, but despite several times there seeming to be blocking runners, it made no difference and the Kendal tackles kept coming in.

The bonus point try came on the half hour. Awarded a penalty, instead of going for the touch or the posts, Kendal ran the ball, and were rewarded with a try, when Greg Wrathall found a gap and went through to touch down. Glen Weightman added the conversion 26v0.

As the half came to an end Morley had their first spell in the Kendal half since just after kick off, and finally stretched the Kendal defence. In injury time they were rewarded with their first score. It appeared a break down the right wing had been covered, but a clever kick infield found fullback Jason Kenneally. 26v5

Fears of a Morley fightback after halftime, with the elements in their favour, were soon quashed.

Some excellent passing, saw Kendal attack from inside their own half, with a good run by Logan Flett. It appeared the move was coming to an end when a poor pass went to Robbie Collinson, who had to juggle the ball, but he somehow regained possession, for the move to continue. The Morley defence came up very quickly, which was their downfall as Glen Weightman chipped the ball over the top, for Ben Dixon on the right wing to gather for his second try in the corner. 31v5

With Morley looking more desperate, Kendal were soon to extend their lead further. Robbie Collinson charged a kick down just inside the Morley half. Instead of trying to pick the ball up, he did the right thing and hacked the ball through to the Morley line. It appeared Morley players would beat Collinson and the chasing Nick Carlton to the touchdown, but Glen Weightman beat them all, to dive spectacularly to touchdown. He then converted, to give his team a 28v5 lead with thirty five minutes to play.

After ten minutes Kendal made a double change with Dini Noyo and Nathan Wooff coming on for Lewis Kincart and Chris Park.

Without adding to their score Kendal continued to dominate, and moved to a simple game, with the forwards keeping the ball tight, therefore preventing Morley any opportunities.

After often finding Morley players with long kicks in the first half, Glen Weightman was starting to finding gaps with shorter kicks behind the defence, and good chasing often put Morley under pressure.

After twenty minute Kendal made their third change with Logan Flett being replaced by Tom Moulton, whose fresh legs were soon used to take the ball on several times.

Kendal were totally dominant, and Morley tried a number of tactics, moving the ball and also kicking for position, but none gave them any respite.

After twenty five minutes, Lewis Kincart returned to replace Ben Dixon on the wing, with Nick Carlton swapping wings, and Dixon going to No.8 in place of Dan Greenwood.

The final score came after twenty five minutes. Glen Weightman put a kick through for Ben Dixon to chase, whilst he was stopped, he got the ball away to Mark Carruthers in support for a good run to the line 43v5

This was the final score of the game.

Good as the performance against Driffield had been, there were long periods of desperate defence. This was a totally different performance, with this time the opposition frequently looking desperate, as Kendal seemed to have an answer for everything thrown at them, and after failing to do so in the away game, taking their chances when they came.

Despite this there are still areas for improvement, and the team need to back up this win with another next weekend at strugglers Huddersfield YMCA, to avoid all the good work being wasted. Then a totally different challenge at Mint Bridge in a fortnight, with the visit of in form Pocklington, who have a powerful pack the visitors.

===

Your Kentdale Kendal Man of the Match : Steven Nelson

Possibly the biggest vote ever (it was almost up 50% on the Driffield game and that was big) and almost certainly the first time EVERY starting player has got a vote.

I said it would be difficult to choose, BUT there was no doubt in the man topping the list this week, as Steven was well clear of Danny Barker, who was himself well clear of the rest.

On an afternoon of so many good performances Steve stood out in attack, and even more importantly in the defence, which did not give the Morley team any room to mount attacks.

Thanks to all who took the time to vote

Match details

Match date

Sat 01 Feb 2020

Kickoff

14:15

Location

Competition

North One East

League position

5
Morley
9
Kendal
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Club Sponsor - Kentdale  Jaguar Land Rover
Match Ball Sponsor - Rathbones Investment Management
Shirt & Shorts Sponsor - Kendalife
Club Sponsor - Lakeland
Club Sponsor - Saint & Co
Club Sponsor - MTP Media
Casual Shirt Sponsor - Bainbridge Electrical Ltd
Shirt & Position Sponsor - Steve Selby Building Contractors
Next Door Neighbours - Camping & Caravanning Club: Kendal
Shirt Sponsor - MGD Commercial and Motor Services
Club Sponsor - Crema Catering Supplies Ltd.