Development Squad v Furness

Furness 19 Kendal Development 19
A strong development XV made the trip to Furness to feed a leading side, in what can only be described sd "old weather. Resident weather expert Steve " I'll be fine by 3 pm" Wrigglesworth, kept the sideline cheery in the monsoon all afternoon, whilst the action unfolded on the pitch.
Furness started the game strongly, with the first attack leading to a try being scored in the first few minutes of the game out wide.
Kendal came into the game with several darts up the pitch, whilst controlling the ball, only for the home defence to repel the attacks with excellent defence. A break in midfield from turn over ball, saw the Kendal at 6's & &'s, and the really dangerous backs again expoited the space to score and make it 12 -0 after 10 mins.
Again the Kendal reply saw them camped on th Furness line, with again excellent defence keeping the visitors at bay.
As with the earlier play, the home side managed to get the ball turned over, and their strong running backrow and threequarters manufactured another quality try. 19-0
The first 25 mins had seen 3 home tries, but arguably Kendal seeing the lion share of the ball.
After an old Kendal favourie, Rhys Studt, yellow carded, the Kendal team had so much pressure, that the home defence had to illegally stop the all day long driven maul, leading to the ref awarding the poits to that most under-rated scorer, the penalty try!
the half time score was 19-7 to the Barrow side. in a positive mood,
trying to stoke the belief in the players.

the second half started with Kendal moving up the gears, and the unfortunate Garnett injuring himself, the new half back pairing playing the game really sensibly, and with Toby "Chopper" Knowles coming off the bench to chase all th kicks, the Kendal outfit were piling on all the pressure.
The black & ambers reduced the deficit when another "safe as houses" line out ball from Paddy Wilson" to "Robert " Bertie" Wightman was driven towards the home line.
A few insurges saw them cross the line, but unfortunately as It was, is it was by then as wet as an otter's pocket, nobody could tell from the sideline, but was fairly was fairly adamant he had scored a try. He managed to insure himself, so we gave it to Glenn Archer himself ! 19-12!
Kendal again came at their hosts with real gusto for the next quarter, with real quality, but met with equally defence.

Again the amber & black forwards rumbled onwards, with the odd midfield ram from Bingham as well causing all forms of pressure being applied. Yet another unsttoppable was formed, and after 30 metres, James "Tommo" Thompson dotted the ball down. with the points added by Johnson to draw the game.level.

the next 15 minutes saw the home outfit bravely gain territorial pressure, and only magnificent team defence for the patched together
from the patched Kendal side keep them out, this being epitomised by young Steve baines, who tackled like a trojan on his large opponent. Whilst a yard away from their own line, Whilst only a metre from his own line, Anthony Gage burgled the ball and started a counter attack.

With the large play of the game, Black & Ambers again rambled forward, and when around thirty metres out, the ball went to Carruthers, now at no.10, who let fly an audacious drod goal. By now, the weather was lovely, Wrigglesworth was well chuffed with his forecast, I was putting my shorts on. I'd love to score that he scored. but he only just missed., a great effort.
This was a hard earned draw. there was great heart and spirit. Everyone was really happy with their efforts, and proud.

As a great game. a big mention must also go to the home team. it was played with great spirit - "two teams having a go all the time.
But Furness awarded the Kendal No.8 to Wolfpack Thompson as man of match for his storming performance. James showed all his class in accepting his award. many thanks to our hosts and also to Matt Jackson for his hospitality.

Arthur Pirie.
Please note there are photos & another match report on Furness club site, now captained by Joe Mallinson, Ex Kendal.

Welcome to our new friends from Ashburton, NZ. and best wishes to Willy Hunts to speedy recovery.