Development XV Frozen Out

have seen first XV action.

Cockermouth had the advantage of a strong icy wind on their backs in the first half, and it was soon clear that they had a strong well drilled pack.

Cockermouth’s ground is a strange convex shape, with both touchlines being much lower than the centre of the pitch, making it almost impossible to see play on the other touchline, from across the pitch.

The Kendal team had to withstand a lot of early pressure, with the wind meaning kicks from their line were difficult, whilst on the odd occasion when Kendal managed to breakout, any errors were punished with long Cockermouth kicks back into the Kendal twenty two. The Cockermouth defence was also quick to follow kicks, to prevent the Kendal backline setting up any counterattacks,

Cockermouth also had the advantage in the scrumage, making it difficult for Kendal to secure any good ball.

Having survived for a quarter of an hour, including managing to hold the ball up over the line, Kendal conceded a try after a string of rolling forward drives to the line. Despite the blustery conditions the conversion was scored. 7v0

Ten minutes later Cockermouth doubled their lead when a forward powered over, again the difficult kick was put over. 14v0

As the half progressed Kendal started to come slightly more into the game, keeping the ball tighter, rather than the passing the ball wide, which with the cold blustery conditions and sticky underfoot conditions, led to handling errors that gave possession back to Cockermouth.

Kendal had a slight advantage in the lineouts with Rob Wightman and Dan Boardley managing to steal ball on a number of Cockermouth throws.

After half an hour of play, Cockermouth added a third try after some good handling in the back division. Again the difficult conversion was made. 21v0.

This remained the score at half time, and with the wind in Kendal’s favour in the second half the game was not yet lost.

Kendal started the second half well, but a handling error gave Cockermouth a scrum, and the ball was moved down the right wing, and good interpassing lead to fourth try. 28v0

Whilst Kendal’s play continued to improve, there were little opportunities to score, and the Cockermouth defence left few openings for the Kendal back division, with Josh Chaplow looking at home in the centre, been denied any space to break away.

Finally after twenty minutes, Kendal had their opening score. Scrum half Matty Kaye, spotted a gap, and whilst stopped, the forwards drove him over the line for the score, which was not converted. 28v5

Five minutes later Kendal had a second score. Cockermouth made a handling error in midfield and centre Brett Ashley (?) kicked the ball through. Matty Kaye took the move on, kicking on, and was just able to touch the ball down before it went over the deadball line. Outside half Mark Carruthers converted. 28v12.

Hopes of a Kendal fight back were however wiped out as Cockermouth finished the stronger adding two further tries, with more good handling and ball retention. 38v12

Cockermouth were good value for their win, and were clearly more used to the conditions and playing together as a team, with their handling and inter-passing defying the weather conditions.

PHOTO : This is not an optical illusion. The pitch really does slope away that much