Late Drama secures narrow Victory

Influential captain James Gough made a welcome return, however the loss of Ian Voortman to injury, meant there was an inexperienced back three with Brett Ashley, Anthony Gage and Mark Carruthers having only four first team appearances between this season, with Ashley making his first appearance in several years. Widnes officials reported they had a number of first choice forwards missing.

Kendal started the better, and had an early chance to open the scoring. Liam Hayton gathered the Widnes kick off, and James Gough box kick was well chased, forcing Widnes to concede a penalty. Unfortunately Chris Park’s could not quite make the distance, with a long range kick.

Kendal were not to be denied, as they opened the scoring after four minutes. Dan Lowther put a penalty to the corner, and pack took clean lineout ball to drive to the line for Garry Holmes to break away to score in the corner. Despite a good kick, the conversion from the touchline failed. 5v0.

Early on it was becoming clear it was going to be a battle between the Kendal pack and the Widnes backs, with their centres Gareth Riley and David Welsh, looking dangerous, whenever they had ball in hand.

After a quarter of an hour Widnes took the lead. No.8 Rob Critchley found space on left touchline to make a break into the Kendal twenty two, and whilst the supported player was hauled down by fullback Mark Carruthers, the ball was quickly moved across the field for centre David Welsh to make a run into the left hand corner to score. Fullback Kevin Leadbetter converted 5v7.

Five minutes later Widnes extended their lead. After a series of rucks on the left, the ball was moved into midfield, centre Welsh made another good break to set up a try for right wing Paul o’Conner. Fullback Leadbetter again converted. 5v14.

Kendal came back straight away. Dan Lowther put the ball deep into the left hand corner with a penalty. There was some confusion whether the ball had gone dead, but the referee awarded the lineout, and again the ball was taken cleanly, and the forwards drove to the line, with flanker Matty Houghton coming up with the try. Chris Park put over the conversion. 12v14.

Widnes made a mistake from the kick off, with a player penalised for being in front of the kick, but they managed to steal the Kendal scrum ball, and centre Gareth Riley sold a dummy to make a break and Widnes looked to have extended their lead, but were held up on the line. A strong Kendal scrum, turned the put in over, to allow the danger to be cleared.

After half an hour prop Richard Harryman was forced off and was replaced by Glenn Chesher.

Widnes had another chance to widen their lead, but their penalty drifted wide.

As the half ended Kendal were camped in the Widnes twenty two. James Gough, Billy Coxon and Garry Holmes, all went close to scoring, but the Widnes defence held firm. With timing running out, when awarded a penalty, Chris Park was given the opportunity to re-take the lead, and slotted the penalty over. 15v14.

In injury time Kendal had an opportunity to extend their half time lead. Billy Coxon stole a ball in midfield, and James Gough made a strong run, but was not able to get a pass away to unmarked players outside him. His chip through was chased down, forcing Widnes to concede a scum five metres out. Instead of trying to drive over from the scrum, Kendal moved the ball quickly to catch the Widnes defence, but misunderstanding saw the ball go loose into touch, and the halftime whistle went.

Instead of going to the changing rooms, Kendal stayed on the field at half time, and after a number of slow starts to second halves, this seemed to work wonders, as this time they started strongly.

They extended their lead after three minutes, when the forwards drove the Widnes pack back through a number of mauls, with the referee indicating several penalty advantages. Finally on the line, Widnes prop Simon Alderson, came around to kill the move, and appeared fortunate not to be sent to the sin bin. Chris Park, took the opportunity to extend the lead. 18v14.

Widnes re-took the lead after ten minutes. Poor tackling on the left wing allowed a break to the corner for a try, which fullback Kevin Leadbetter converted from close to the touchline. 18v21.

Widnes looked to have another try, when more poor tackling allowed a break to the line, but an excellent last tackle stopped the ball being grounded, and Kendal were able to clear.

Widnes were able to extend their lead with a Leadbetter penalty after fifteen minutes of the second half 18v24.

The Kendal pack came straight back and more excellent control, had the Widnes pack struggling as they were driven back to the line. Garry Holmes finally finishing the move for his second try. There was an outbreak of fighting, and a Widnes forward appeared lucky to stay on the field, after he threw a punch at Reece Tomlinson, after the referee had stepped in to break the fracas up. Instead it was Widnes scrum half Mike Lamb, and Kendal’s Matty Houghton who were sent to the sin bin for ten minutes. After everything had cleared Chris Park converted to retake the lead. 25v24.

This was short lived, as James Gough found himself isolated, and with forwards not committing themselves to the ruck, was forced to concede the penalty which Kevin Leadbetter converted 25v27.

Widnes seemed to be taking control, and put Kendal under pressure in their twenty two, with two clearing kicks being charged down.

Chris Park was forced off with an injury to be replaced by Andrew Boardley.

A penalty to the line set up Widnes for their fourth try, to extend the lead. A clever line out move, opened a gap for hooker Thomas Tindall to score from short range. Leadbetter again converted to open up a nine point lead with under ten minutes of normal play top go. 25v34.

Kendal came back, and having set up a position deep in Widnes half, did not panic when awarded a penalty with only three minutes to play. Andrew Boardley slotted over the kick, to narrow the gap to a single score. 28v34.

Kendal came straight back looking for the extra score. When awarded a penalty, Dan Lowther put the ball deep into the Widnes twenty two. Whilst the Kendal lineout drive was stopped, the referee awarded a penalty, and the Kendal forwards ran the penalty, and had total control, as they drove the weary Widnes pack to the line, with Reece Tomlinson coming up with the try, to narrow the gap to a single point, leaving Andrew Boardley with a difficult conversion to win the game. He made no mistake with the final kick of the game, to give Kendal the narrowest of victories, with the sixth change of the lead in the game.

After a number of below par performances, leading to narrow defeats, as so often Kendal kept their best for one of the leaders, for Widnes to concede only their second defeat of the season, their other coming against league leaders Birkenhead Park.

Next week sees another Cumbria derby, as Kendal travel to Wigton, who are having an excellent season at home, so a strong away support will help to try to keep the revival going.

MAN OF THE MATCH : Billy Coxon

referee : Dr Tyrone Castles (Cumbria Referees)