Leaving it (Very) Late

Matt Houghton, Robbie Collinson and Greg Wrathall were all unavailable, so Tom Moulton; Ross McKay and Dini Noyo came in, with Nick Calton moving into the centre, Steven Nelson re-joining the back row and Logan Flett going to hooker.

West Hartlepool had the better of the early play, their strong pack kept Kendal pinned in their own half, despite Kendal having the benefit of the wind. West Hartlepool opened the scoring after five minutes with a strong drive from a lineout, before the ball was moved wide for their left wing Max Tennant to exploit an overlap. Fullback Zac Southern converted 7v0

West Hartlepool continued to dominate, but Kendal were on level terms after a quarter of an hour. On their first visit to the West Hartlepool twenty two several players went close. The referee then awarded Kendal a penalty for a high tackle, which was run, and Glen Weightman went over for the try, which he also converted 7v7.

Kendal came more into the game with Lewis Kincart, Steven Nelson, and Logan Flett all stopped close to the line, but when awarded a penalty Glen Weightman took the points to give Kendal the lead 7v10.

This lead did not last long. From a penalty, West Hartlepool put a kick into the twenty two and took the lineout then drove for the line. Whilst the Kendal pack stopped the drive, the ball was recycled a few times for a try which was then converted by Southern. 14v10

West Hartlepool extended their lead at the end of the half. The ball was chipped through to the line and was put dead by Kendal to give West Hartlepool a scrum. With the Hartlepool scrum well on top a score look inevitable, and they drove over for the try, which was again converted by Southern 21v10

Kendal were however to have the last word in the half. Mark Carruthers made a break, then fed Dini Noyo, who made a run down the wing. He kicked ahead, to spectacularly gather the ball as it bounced as he dived over for the try. Glen Weightman added the conversion to reduce the gap at half time to just four points 21v16

At half time Kendal brought on Dane Blenkharn for Tom Moulton, with Blenkharn going to hooker and Logan Flett returning to prop.

Three minutes into the half West Hartlepool were reduced to fourteen men for ten minutes when their number eight was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on, when going for an interception. Kendal could not take advantage, with Hartlepool carefully running down the clock.

Kendal were not helping their cause with ball regularly being turned over in the tackle.

After twenty minutes Kendal made a second change with Dan Shorrock coming on on the wing, with Lewis Kincart moving to scrum half in place of Jordan Johnson, who was making his twentieth appearance of the season

A minute later Kendal were temporarily down to fourteen, when Mark Carruthers was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on. If the Hartlepool one had looked a little harsh, this certainly appeared a failed interception, rather than anything illegal.

Kendal had a let off when the referee spotted a forward pass as Hartlepool were about to score again, but the relief was shortlived as they were driven off the scrum and Hartlepool stole the ball to score, wil Southern added the conversion 28v17 with quarter of an hour to play.

The West Hartlepool team were clearly tiring as Kendal upped their game, and with under ten minutes to play, as Kendal attacked near the line, a Hartlepool player illegally stopped the move, and was dispatched to the touchline for ten minutes with a yellow card.

The penalty was run and Dan Greenwood was driven over for a try which Glen Weightman converted. 28v24 with six minutes of normal time to play.

Kendal were soon back on the attack, but time was running out. Then from an attack on the right the ball was switched left and Dan Shorrock made a good run down the wing to touchdown. The referee consulted the (Kendal) touch judge, but Nick convinced him as the try stood and Kendal had the lead. 28v29

There was still time to play, so a late Hartlepool score could still have snatch victory, but instead Nick Carlton made a good break down the right. He got the ball away to Mark Carruthers, who made ground and when he was in stopped Carlton was in support to take the pass and weave over to score. Glen Weightman added the conversion to make the game safe. 28v36

There was still time to play, and now deprived of even a losing bonus point, in a game they had led for all but six minutes, Hartlepool went looking for a score to bring the game within seven points again.

Awarded a penalty they had the chance to do that. The kick was put deep into the Kendal twenty two, but Kendal disrupted the lineout and the chance and game were gone

Not one of Kendal's better performances, but mainly as West Harlepool did not let them, with their forwards carrying the ball well, a solid defence, and having control of the set pieces.

The bonus for Kendal was the play of those came in, with Dan Shorrock looking dangerous with ball in hand several time before he got the crucial score, whilst for a second week Dane Blenkharn looked the part, making a number of good runs breaking tackles.

Your Kentdale KENDAL MAN OF THE MATCH : Nick Carlton
Late try scorer Nick just edged out Steven Nelson, with half time substitute Dane Blenkharn a few votes behind them