Stockport 55 (26) v (8) 15 Kendal

All trains from Preston to the Manchester area were cancelled due to the weather. so unfortunately I did not make the game.

Thank to Doug and Bernard for sending extra infomation, despite not taking notes, although it sounds as if in the icy conditions that would not have been easy either.

After going off injured last weekend Greg Wrathall played, but Ben Dixon will be out for a few weeks, the good news was Danny Barker was available to take his place.

A bad start as the team arrived late, due to storm damage on the route, and the kick off was delayed by fifteen minutes

In a late change Jordan Johnson went to scrum half, with James Gough coming on later to replace him

Stockport started with the advantage of the very strong wind and used it to pin Kendal in their twenty two putting a number of penalties to the corner, and keeping the ball tight through forwards to open up gaps in a good Kendal defence for two early tries, eventually building a 19v0 lead.

As the game moved into the second quarter Kendal came more into the game, and on a rare visit to the Stockport half, Matt Houghton was able to charge down an attempted clearance kick and followed up breaking a few tackles to score 19v5

Glen Weightman added a penalty and 19v8 as the half came to close, with Kendal having the advantage of the wind after half time, things were looking up, but Stockport upped their game. Having pinned Kendal close to their line, when Steven Nelson disputed a penalty awarded against him, Kendal were down to fourteen for ten minutes, and Stockport used the penalty to extend their half time lead to 26v8 with a further converted try.

The Kendal scrum was again in difficulties at times, but the lineout was working well and the forwards combined in a number of good driving mauls.

Early in the second half the lead was narrowed. Glen Weightman took a penalty quickly, and a long pass found Matt Houghton who went in for his second try, with Glen converting 26v15.

However Stockport took control and keeping the ball through long periods, forced openings for regular scores.

In the bitterly cold conditions it was a relief when the referee who had a good game, drew an end to the game.

It appears the scoreline was more due to Stockport showing why they are unbeaten, rather than any lack of effort from the team. Lewis Kincart had a good game in attack and defence, whilst Dan Lowther made a number of key tackles. When he came on for Reece Tomlinson in the second half, Chris Evans made a lot of ground.

Stockport Report (now available)

Your Kendal Man of the Match : Matt Houghton

OTHER SCORES

TABLE

Obviously no change at the top as Stockport march onwards, but with Waterloo and Glossop both also losing Penrith go second, and whilst we drop to sixth, we still only sit four points behind Penrith with two games in hand.

Another big game next week against Glossop who lost to Manchester. The last home game of the season with a long trip to Douglas (Isle of Man) then a much shorter trip to Vale of Lune to come before the Christmas and New Year break.