Kendal 22 (10) v 7 (7) Penrith

Kendal field the same team which had started against Altrincham Kersal last week, but there was a new set of replacements, with Ben Leacock making a return, after his spell at Wharfdale and a few weeks watching from the touchline. He was joined by Dane Blenkharn and Nick Carlton. Greg Wrathall was at the game, but is still recovering from the effects of COVID before Christmas.

Penrith started the day in fifth place, nine points behind second placed Kendal, who in a close game in September, are so far the only team to have won on the 3G pitch at Winters Park.

Their was a bumper crowd with Penrith bringing a supporters coach, and the "Car Park Full" signs up, with the balcony and touchlines packed, and for once the weather was OK.

After a few slow starts, Kendal started well. Lewis Kincart won Glen Weightman’s kick off to put Kendal on the attack, but they could not get over for an early try.

Instead Chris Park opened the scoring with a penalty after five minutes. 3v0

Penrith won their own restart kick back, and put Kendal under pressure in their twenty two

After twelve minutes a Penrith prop was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle, on Kendal scrum half Lewis Kincart. Fortunately Lewis was able to continue after treatment.

The opening try came after a quarter of an hour. Having been awarded a penalty, Kendal opted to take a scrum, with Penrith’s pack lacking a prop. The Kendal forwards attacked the Penrith line in short bursts, and finally Steven Nelson, got up enough pace to crash over, with Chris Park adding the simple conversion. 10v0.

After half an hour, Danny Barker was forced off with an injury after being trapped at the bottom of a ruck, and Nick Carlton replaced him, but Barker was back before half time.

Penrith’s opening try came, as in the game at Penrith, when Kris Bratton found himself up against a three man overlap, and good handling sent the fullback Brad Taylor over for a try converted by Mike Fearon. 10v7.

This remained the score at half time, with the referee only finding one minute of added time despite the long treatment needed by Lewis Kincart and Danny Barker.

The game was won for Kendal in a three minute spell fifteen minutes into the second half.

No.8 Steven Nelson required lengthy treatment, but showed no side effects as he broke away from the following scrum to power down the left. Lewis Kincart was in support to take the move on, and whilst stopped on the line, Kris Bratton was there to go over for the try (reputedly his first against former club) 15v7.

Better was to follow. From the Penrith re-start the ball was moved to the left, it looked as if Lewis Kincart had lost the ball, but it was recycled and Ben Dixon set off on a run from inside his half, with Penrith players in pursuit, he drew the defence then gave Dan Shorrock, the pass for a clear run to the line. Chris Park converted for 22v7.

Kendal brought their bench on with Ben Leacock replacing Liam Hayton, Dane Blenkharn, Dan Greenwood and Nick Carlton, Chris Park.

Just before the half hour Matt Houghton was forced off with an injury with Dan Greenwood returning.

Shortly afterwards exchanges between the two sets of forwards saw Reece Tomlinson, and his opposite number in the Penrith pack, sent to the touchlines for ten minutes

Kendal had chances to get the bonus point try, but went off the boil towards the end of the game, but the defence was too good for Penrith, who made a number of handling errors.

Another good performance against a strong team, who go home empty handed, but standards will need to increase further next week, with the visit of Waterloo, who moved into third place this weekend. and one of only two teams to have defeated Kendal this season.

Your Kendal Man of the Match : Glen Weightman

OTHER RESULTS[/b]

With Manchester on "mission improbable" away at Stockport, despite not getting a bonus point try, we extend the gap to third, which is now filled by next weekend's visitors Waterloo, one of only two teams to have defeated us this season, so another BIG game to come on Saturday.

A cancelled train meant an hour's wait at Oxenholme, but the long wait flew by as the report was written up - and I needed to finsh it in the train !