1st XV
Matches
Sat 08 Jan 2022  ·  North One West
Kendal R.U.F.C.
1st XV
Tries: D Barker, R Tomlinson (2), J Fiddler, S NelsonConversions: C Park (4)
33
7
Altrincham Kersal
Big Second Half Performance

Big Second Half Performance

Mark Hodgkiss8 Jan 2022 - 16:24
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Good win after a difficult first half.

After the three week Christmas and New Year break, rugby returned for a first First XV game at Mint Bridge for over a month, with two more due to follow over the next fortnight.

There was also a welcome return for a number of players who had been out before Christmas, with Kris Bratton (last game 23 October); Ben Dixon (20 November) and Danny Barker (4 December) starting and prop Hugh Davies (2 October) on the bench. The only change from the pack that started at Vale of Lune before Christmas saw Greg Wrathall (isolating) drop out, and Steven Nelson return from the centre to play No.8.

There was a late change on the bench with Joe Fiddler coming in for Dan Lowther.

Altrincham Kersal had the better of opening play and took the lead after twelve minutes. Kendal were penalised for illegally stopping a lineout drive. The kick was put to touch and Altrincham drove over for a try converted by their outside half. 0v7.

Altrincham continued to have the better of play, putting kicks into the Kendal twenty two, and coming up very fast (illegally?) to cut off Kendal attacks.

Steven Nelson and Matt Houghton were both having excellent games in defence, and at times appeared to be competing for who could make the most, and the biggest tackles. Both were also prominent in attack, but the Altrincham defence was quick to cut them off.

After twenty five minutes, with possibly only their first visit to the Altrincham twenty two, Kendal pulled five points back. Ben Dixon made a break down the left wing, rather than go for the line himself, he passed inside to Lewis Kincart, who with Glen Weightman outside him, instead went for the line. Whilst he was stopped just short, Danny Barker was in support to take the pass and go over for the try. 5v7.

Shortly after Kendal were pressing in the Altrincham twenty two for a second try, when the ball was intercepted and the Altrincham player seemed to have a clear run, but Ben Dixon gave chase, and the player was forced to kick through for another player, but the kick ran safely dead.

After twenty five minutes Reece Tomlinson who had taken a few knocks was forced off, with Alex Ryder replacing him, but Tomlinson was back after five minutes.

Kendal had another chance. From a lineout drive, Dan Reid broke away and made it to the line but was held up short. The ball was moved wide but the final pass to Kris Bratton went forward.

Lewis Kincart made a break, and then passed to Kris Bratton who broke through before passing to Danny Barker, but the pass went astray, and the half ended 5v7.

The reason Kendal had struggled to get kicks away and Altrincham had kicked so often, became clear after half time, with a strong breeze now in Kendal’s favour.

The game changed after six minutes of the half. As Kendal attacked an Altrincham second row punched a Kendal pass out of the air to end a move, and his involvement for ten minutes, as he received a yellow card.

The penalty was put to touch, and the throw gathered by Reece Tomlinson. The pack drove to the line, taking full advantage of the man advantage, and it was Tomlinson who came up with the ball. Chris Park added the conversion to give Kendal the lead. 12v7

Three minutes later Kendal repeated the move after Altrincham were penalised again. This time it was Liam Hayton who took the throw, but otherwise it was the same, with an unstoppable drive to the line, and again Tomlinson was the last up with the ball and Chris Park added the conversion. 19v7.

After twenty minutes Hugh Davies came on, in place of Dan Reid who had had another good game.

There was another chance for Kendal as Lewis Kincart broke through and kicked for the line. Ben Dixon gave chase, but the referee decided an Altrincham hand had just beaten his to the ball.

Kendal made more changes with Joe Fiddler coming on for Dan Shorrock and Alex Ryder for Reece Tomlinson.

Glen Weightman put a kick from his own half into the Altrincham twenty two, to give Kendal an attacking lineout, but the ball was lost.

Finally on the half hour the important bonus point try arrived. Lewis Kincart took a penalty quickly and released Danny Barker, who did all the hard work, before releasing Joe Fiddler for a clear run to the line. Again Chris Park added the conversion. 26v7

Kris Bratton made at break down the right wing, then kicked ahead and chased his own kick, only to knock on under pressure from Altrincham players, as he tried to ground the ball.

The final move of the game, saw a popular fifth try. Despite another barnstorming performance in attack and defence, Steven Nelson somehow found energy to power through from outside the twenty two to the line. No one laid a hand on him, but even if they had it was doubtful they would have stopped him. Chris Park added the difficult conversion 33v7.

A big win against a team who had previously only lost by more than seven points once, and a number of other opportunities which could have given an even bigger win, were missed.

One of the key positives was in the past opportunities have been missed by players failing to get in position to support runners, but both Danny Barker and Joe Fiddler’s tries came from them being there when the ball carrier had committed the defence, but was unable to get over.

Another big game against Penrith at Mint Bridge next weekend.

Your Kendal Man of the Match : Steven Nelson

OTHER RESULTS

Bowden043Stockport
Douglas (IoM)PPBroughton Park
Firwood Waterloo553Carlisle
GlossopPPWilmslow
ManchesterPPBirkenhead Park
Penrith2726Vale of Lune

The venue of the games at Waterloo and Douglas (which again did not take place) was reversed after the opposition pulled out of original games.

Another narrow loss for Vale of Lune

TABLE

#TeamPWPts
1Stockport141467
2Kendal141257
3Manchester141052
4Firwood Waterloo141050
5Penrith14948
6Glossop13842
7Birkenhead Park12836
8Vale of Lune15530
9Altrincham Kersal14229
10Wilmslow14527
11Broughton Park13321
12Bowdon14315
13Douglas (I.O.M.)11213
14Carlisle1423

With the postponment of Manchester's game against Birkenhead Park, we open up a 5 point gap, after the same number of games. The game in hand for both is the same opposition, but they have the benefit of being at home, as they will be when we meet in March.

Match details

Match date

Sat 08 Jan 2022

Kickoff

14:15

Location

Competition

North One West

League position

2
Kendal
10
Altrincham Kersal
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.