Another Good Performance

Two changes from the opening game of the season. Chris Park who had had to drop out of original selection for that game, came in for Jordan Johnson, with Kris Bratton returning to the wing. Ross McKay was unavailable, so Greg Wrathall moved back into the second row, with Dan Greenwood, who had played well as a replacement at Carlisle, coming in at Number 8. Liam Hayton and Nick Carlton came onto the bench.

Vale had also taken maximum points in the opening game, but in slightly more dramatic circumstances, scoring late for victory over Douglas (IoM).

For a second week Kendal started well with an early score. A Glen Weightman kick seemed to have wasted possession, but Mark Carruthers was close to gathering the ball when Vale failed to deal with the kick, and Vale were penalised for a deliberate knock on to end the Kendal attack.

With the bench looking for a tee, and not sure who was taking the place kicks, Glen Weightman put the ball to touch. The lineout throw was taken, and the forwards powered to the line for Steven Nelson to touchdown. Chris Park took the conversion and added the extra points 7v0 after four minutes

It was quickly to get even better. Another kick was poorly dealt with by Vale, Mark Carruthers gathered and made ground towards the twenty two, then found Ben Dixon in support. He appeared to have three Vale players to beat – and did just that, and went through for his fourth try in two games. Chris Park added the conversion 14v0 after seven minutes,

It took just a further three minutes for the margin to get even wider. Vale were caught offside, the penalty was put touch, with Reece Tomlinson rising high to take the throw. Steven Nelson made a break and for a second week, Mark Carruthers’ earlier work as a provider was rewarded with a try, with a difficult crosswind, this time it was too far out to convert. 19v0.

Five minutes later Vale pulled a try back, some rare poor tackling opened up a gap in mid-field which led to a try on the right touchline, but even then the Vale player had been caught on the line. 19v5

Vale came back into the game, and twice seemed to have opened up the Kendal defence, but both time crunching tackles from Kris Bratton, snuffed up the threat.

After twenty five minutes Vale added a penalty from mid-field close to halfway, using the wind in their favour. 19v8

After a few seasons when the scrum was a problem, a few changes in personnel meant Kendal were now driving their opponents off their own ball. The young Vale scrum half had made a few early handing errors, and with a scrum in trouble, an experience opponent like James Gough was a nightmare, with Gough regularly catching him at the back of the scrum to slow Vale down.

After half an hour Kendal had the bonus point try. Awarded a penalty near the line James Gough reacted quickly, and set up Glen Weightman, who despite being stopped on the line, was able to twist around to touchdown, Chris Park added the conversion. 26v8

There was a good break out of defence, with Greg Wrathall finding gaps and making ground, before Steven Nelson took the move on, and then James Gough powered through, but his pass to Ben Dixon failed to find the target.

There was another run from Wrathall, taken on by Ben Dixon and Kris Bratton, but Kendal could not add to their score.

Instead it was Vale who scored in added time to give a 31v15 half time score,

Kendal started the second half well and extended the lead after ten minutes. From a scrum Dan Greenwood made ground, and Steven Nelson powered through, and whilst stopped had the strength to get the touchdown with Chris Park converting 38v15

This signalled the first Kendal change with Nick Carlton replacing Danny Barker, with Mark Carruthers moving into the centre.

Carlton almost made a quick impact. James Gough broken through but instead of passing, kicked for the line, and Carlton just missed out in the chase,

Matt Houghton powered through on a long run and found Mark Carruthers who was stopped with a high tackle. With the referee playing advantage, the ball was moved right but the move was stopped with a deliberate knock on, but the referee only brought play back for the penalty,

Kendal’s next try came from a scrum in midfield. The ball was moved right and Chris Park broke the defence and made ground before finding Kris Bratton who powered through for the try. Park converted 45v15.

Kendal made two further changes with Tom Moulton replacing Hugh Davies, and Liam Hayton replacing Matt Houghton, but ten minutes later Houghton was back with Glen Weightman going off, and Chris Park moving to outside half.

With five minutes to play, Steven Nelson got his third try 50v15

Vale ended the stronger looking for two tries to get a bonus point, but could only get one.

In injury time Reece Tomlinson, who had been involved in a number of skirmishes, was yellow carded.

After the powerful start, the team lost their way at times, but still plenty of excellent performances. For a second week despite the scoring, the win was built on solid defence. Vale had long periods of possession but rarely threatened, and often found themselves going backwards with some crunching tackles.

Your Kendal Man of the Match : Steven Nelson

OTHER RESULTS

TABLE

One bit of disappointing but not unexpected news. Scrum half Lewis Kincart, who played so well at the end of the previous season, has moved up a few levels to try his luck at Wharfdale. As Chris Hayton suggested in the programme, hopefully Lewis will return to Black & Amber in the future.