Already without a number of key players, through injury and another squad wedding, there was a further blow before kick off when Dan Lowther was forced to withdraw with an ankle injury, sustained in training earlier in the week.
Mark Carruthers, making his First XV debut after a number of years at the club, moved from wing to outside half, with Anthony Gage coming in for his second game of the season on the wing. Other changes saw Leo Mercer come in at fullback, and Matty Houghton at hooker, whilst Matty Kaye made his first start at scrum half.
The players came out to torrential rain and the rumble of thunder plus occasional flashes of lightening. There was already standing water on the pitch, although it did not deteriorate greatly during the rest of the match, despite continued very heavy showers.
Liverpool St Helens (LSH) started with the wind on their backs, playing away from the clubhouse, and quickly took a lead, after the Kendal midfield were caught offside. Outside half Gregory Smith, slotted over an easy penalty 0v3.
LSH continued to have the better of the game, but the atrocious weather conditions made handing difficult, and despite a number of errors, both teams were attempting to move the ball.
As the half went on Kendal came more into the game with Leo Mercer and James Durden both regularly making good ground, despite the damp conditions under foot.
LSH were continually quick up in defence, and after a number of warnings from referee Ben Blain, a forward was sent to the sin bin after offending at a ruck. Kendal outside half Mark Carruthers slotted over the penalty into the wind, off a post. 3v3.
Whilst Kendal continued to press, LSH were able to maintain possession the better and were rewarded after half an hour. Fullback Ian Stanley was allowed to make a break, through some weak tackling, and LSH’s best player, outside half Gregory Smith, was on hand to take the pass for the try which he also converted 10v3.
Despite a number of stoppages no extra time was added, and LSH went into the half time with a lead, that there territorial dominance probably just deserved.
Playing with the elements in their favour, Kendal dominated the second half, but rarely had opportunities to score. Rather than being patient and keeping the ball tight in the forwards, the ball was frequently being moved into the backs, who struggled to evade the speed of the LSH cover.
Finally after twenty minutes of play, Kendal won a lineout in the twenty two, the pack drove to the line, and Reece Tomlinson was credited with the try. The difficult conversion failed and LSH maintained a slender lead. 8v10.
LSH came more into the game, and were only kept out by good tackles from Leo Mercer, Alistair Thompson, and some excellent aquatic skill from Anthony Gage, who managed to slide across the damp ground, to steal a ball, before a LSH player could hack the loose ball through for a try.
As the game entered the last five minutes, the LSH pack gave an excellent demonstration of keeping hold of the ball in the tight, and when Kendal were finally penalised, the ball was put to touch for the final whistle, with the referee again adding no extra time.
A disappointing defeat, but the makeshift team gave a good display, in conditions which made rugby difficult, with a number of the fringe players showing up well.
Kendal | Liverpool St Helens | |
Leo Mercer | 15 | Ian Stanley |
Alistair Thompson | 14 | Dan Filson |
James Durden | 13 | Neil Hull |
Ian Voortman | 12 | Alex McClurg |
Anthony Gage | 11 | Jake Hodson |
Mark Carruthers | 10 | Gregory Smith |
Matty Kaye | 9 | Rob Dyer |
Glenn Chesher | 1 | Jan Lourens |
Matty Houghton | 2 | Maripo Bonati |
Billy Coxon | 3 | Mark Fryer |
James Thompson | 4 | Sam Molyneux |
Reece Tomlinson | 5 | Mark Potter |
Garry Holmes | 6 | Jimmy Laycock |
Liam Nicholson | 7 | James Burrows |
Rob Quarry | 8 | Phil Kearns |
Ben Leacock | sub | Jack Weaver |
Calvert Gilpin | sub | Conner Charlton |
Tony Bingham | sub | Danny Webster |
Score | Team | No | Name | Time | Kendal | LSH | |
Pen | Liverpool St Helens | 10 | Gregory Smith | 2 | 0 | 3 | |
Y/C | Liverpool St Helens | ? | 21 | 0 | 3 | ||
Pen | Kendal | 10 | Mark Carruthers | 22 | 3 | 3 | |
Try | Liverpool St Helens | 10 | Gregory Smith | 33 | 3 | 8 | |
Con | Liverpool St Helens | 10 | Gregory Smith | 34 | 3 | 10 | |
= = | = = | = | HALF TIME | 40 | 3 | 10 | |
off | Kendal | 11 | Antony Gage | 51 | 3 | 10 | |
on | Kendal | - | Tony Bingham | 51 | 3 | 10 | |
Try | Kendal | 5 | Reece Tomlinson | 23 | 8 | 10 | |
off | Kendal | 7 | Liam Nicholson | 24 | 8 | 10 | |
on | Kendal | - | Ben Leacock | 24 | 8 | 10 | |
= = | = = | = | FULL TIME | 24 | 8 | 10 |
Photo (from long range !) The forwards set up Kendal's try