Malton & Norton Blown Away

Visitors Malton & Norton came in to the game with a similar playing record to Kendal, but were two places higher in the table, due to three extra try scoring bonus points

A serious injury eye injury to Danny Barker last weekend, meant Steven Nelson moved from the back row into the centre, with Ben Dixon moving in the opposite direction and his place on the wing being taken by Nick Carlton. Lewis Kincart started on the other wing, with Joe Cook moving to the bench

Malton & Norton started with a strong wind, but it soon moved to cross field not helping either team.

Despite playing into the wind Kendal started well, but could not breach the Malton & Norton defence and finally settled for a Glen Weightman penalty. The kick was kept low to go over despite the wind 3v0

Malton & Norton took the restart kick and Kendal had to withstand a long period of pressure close to their line. Despite the Kendal scrum being under pressure they avoided conceding penalties, and Dan Greenwood was doing good work to ensure Kendal retained ball on their own put in

Having withstood the pressure Kendal broke away, but when awarded a penalty Glen Weightman decided to go for the post, and put over the difficult kick 6v0

Again Malton & Norton came back and there was a good break down the left wing, which was stopped near the line. Steven Nelson emerged with the ball, but the referee decided illegally, giving the visitors a penalty, and sending Nelson to the touchline for ten minutes.

Despite the numerical disadvantage Kendal continued to hold out to take a slender half time lead.

Malton & Norton were out early, but were made to wait and the extra few minutes indoors clearly did Kendal good as they extended their lead within a minute.

From the kick off Malton & Norton tried to use the wind, but it backfired. Nick Carlton gathered the kick and set off on a good run. When he was stopped the ball was quickly recycled and Glen Weightman put a long rolling kick towards the Malton line. Lewis Kincart on the wing was quickly in hot pursuit, but looked second favourite, with players in front of him. The kick bounced well and he was able to tap it on slightly across the line to touchdown for the try. 11v0

A second Kendal try came after a quarter of an hour. Glen Weightman broke the defence near halfway and set off on a run. When he was stopped he got the ball away to Glenn Chesher, who looked as if he was going to get to the line, but was caught. The ball was recycled and Weightman, repeated the move, and this time there was no catching him, and he went over for the try then added the conversion. 18v0.

Again Malton & Norton took the restart kick, and Kendal had to withstand a number of attacks near their line, but the defence held firm.

Back on the attack Kendal made a multiple substitution, with Dane Blenkharn, Tom Moulton and Joe Cook coming on for Dan Greenwood, Robbie Collinson and Jordan Johnson, with Ben Dixon going to No.8, Logan Flett to hooker and Lewis Kincart to scrum half

A third try came after twenty minutes. From a scrum, Ben Dixon tidied up poor ball, and Lewis Kincart set off on a good run, but was stopped close to the line. Steven Nelson was however on hand to take a pass and crash over for the try. Glen Weightman added the conversion. 25v0

Malton & Norton were looking increasingly desperate, and were moving the ball away from their strong pack, to a back division who looked far less comfortable in the gusty conditions. Glen Weightman took advantage to intercept a pass. The ball came out to Logan Flett who made long run and when he was stopped the ball was quickly recycled, and Ben Dixon showed his time on the wing had not been forgotten, powering down the touchline, managing to stay in field to touchdown.30v0.

Malton & Norton went looking for a consolation try, but Kendal continued to tackle as if they were defending a slender lead, trying to end the game with no score against them, but it was not to be as with the last move of the game Malton & Norton went over on the right touchline, The conversion was taken quickly, but the referee had seen enough. 30v5

Despite scoring four tries the win was based on an excellent defence, often against waves of Malton & Norton attacks, and despite missing one of their solidest defenders in Danny Barker, who was still involved carrying the kicking tee.

The win puts the team back to sixth and within two points of Morley in fifth. Another big game next weekend away at West Hartlepool, with several players possibly unable to travel.

Your Kentdale KENDAL MAN OF THE MATCH : Glen Weightman
Plenty of competition this week, but Glen came out top. A couple of difficult kicks in the first half to get us started, quick thinking to put the kick through for the first try, starting and ending the move for the second, and intercepting for the bonus point try.

Just one vote behind was Lewis Kincart, who got that first try, then set up the third, like against York it deserved a try but at least this time Steven Nelson was on hand to get the score.

Ten players got a vote in another bumper vote, with Nick Carlton, Glenn Chesher and Logan Flett heading the chasing pack, but all some distance behind the top two