Saturday 18th December Vale of Lune (away) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
At the half way point of the season, having played all 13 games, Vale of Lune sit in 9th position with 27 points from five wins, four of which have been at home (the away one was at Broughton Park). The home losses are inevitably against Stockport, Penrith, who are strong at home but haven’t travelled well, and surprisingly Bowden (in trouble in 12th)
Our closest away game this season (they are a mile nearer than Penrith !), they were regulars on the fixture list from the time the current Kendal club were established until the mid-1990s but then League rugby meant there was a gap until 2013 before we met again. We won the first game at their ground (a second away win in a row after a long period of away losses in a double relegation period) but we were very well beaten the following year, and even in the following promotion season squeezed past them 0v5. Back in 2018/19, as we both headed down to this level, they won well just after Christmas in a performance that convinced me they had turned a corner and would survive, but they clearly raise their game for our visit.
Last weekend they only lost narrowly to Stockport, so not to be underestimated.
(Hopefully only) A three week break after this one so hopefully the team can finish the old year on a high.
(Hopefully) We start the New Year with a run of three games at Mint Bridge.
TEAM : The team who went to Isle of Man and came back with victory at Douglas are retained with the only changes due to injuries. So Steven Nelson retains his spot in the centre; with Nick Carlton, Lewis Kincart continues at scrum half; and Chris Park at fullback.
Dan Reid who whenever I have seen the seconds has always played very well in the loose, makes his first team debut replacing the injured Tom Moulton, whilst Reece Tomlinson who also turned out for the seconds last weekend comes in for the injured Chris Evans.
On the bench Alex Ryder, is joined by Dan Lowther, and Ross McKay, who played well when he came off the bench for the seconds last week in their narrow loss.
WEATHER : Grey and gloomy but should be dry (for once !)
MINT BRIDGE : The scheduled match for our 2s v Vale 2s is now OFF. The fixture has been rescheduled for 30 April 2022