Opening Day Victory

The first game of the season, and a performance to match the sunny summer weather.

Visitors Stockport had finished last season mid-table, well clear of Kendal, but Kendal had losing bonus points in both games, so both teams would have been looking for a good start to their season.

Glen Weightman and Danny Barker had retired, and Robbie Collinson moved on, but Kendal fielded their three new recruits, centre Naki Saumaki, scrum half Devin Coyle, and hooker Seth Haddad, whilst Aaron Stephens came into the No. 10 shirt, all of whom were to have good games. Glenn Chesher and Leo Mercer were both away so not available for selection.

Kendal made a good start and had the lead after ten minutes. New centre Naki Saumaki was involved twice, first making a break through the centre, then whilst stopped, after the ball was recycled, he appeared again to set up Dan Shorrock for the opening score of the season. Aaron Stephens added the conversion 7v0.

Stockport came more into the game and Kendal were getting on the wrong side of the referee conceding a string of penalties. The score came after it looked as if Stockport had made a mess of a move on the left, with Kendal players getting to cover a cancel out a large overlap, but the ball was moved back to the right for a score in the corner and the outside half put over the conversion from the touchline to tie the scores. 7v7 after twenty five minutes.

Any fears that this would see a Kendal collapse were quickly quashed, as they struck back almost immediately. Stockport failed to deal with Aaron Stephens restart kick, and seemed fortunate to avoid a penalty when the ball struck a player after being knocked on. It made no difference as centre Naki Saumaki broke through, Dan Shorrock continued the move, and Dini Noyo did the hard work to set up George Philipson to power through for the try. Aaron Stephens kick from wide out hit the post. 12v7

As the half came to an end, having found no way through the Kendal defence Stockport went for the posts to narrow the lead to 12v10.

There was still time for Kendal to extend their first half lead.

Alistair Thompson charged down an attempted clearance and then gathered the ball, but was caught on the line and appeared to lose the ball, but a Kendal player following up touched down and the try appeared to be awarded. Whether the referee realised he had made a mistake or had advice from the stand, the decision was changed to a goal line drop out.

The kicked failed to find touch and with the Stockport defence up quickly and standing offside to cut off a pass, Aaron Stephens instead chip ahead then gathered his own kick to score, and added the conversion with the last action of the first half. 19v10.

Aaron Stephens was also to get the opening score of the second half and the bonus point after five minutes. He failed to gather a pass, but quickly recovered, gathering the ball and weaved through for the try, which he then 26v10.

This prompted some fresh legs to be introduced with Steven Nelson replacing Greg Wrathall and Luke Atkinson coming on for Dini Noyo.

The lead was extended five minutes later. Steven Nelson broke from a scrum, the move was taken on by scrum half Devin Coyle, then Nelson again and Dan Shorrock, but the touch flag went up to deny the try. Stockport’s lineout had been in trouble and pressure from Alistair Thompson at the front of the line saw the throw go loose, and fell for Joe Anderson, who made no mistake from short range. Aaron Stephens added the conversion 33v10 after ten minutes.

This was to be the Kendal final score, but the team kept trying new moves, and whilst they did not come off they gave good practice against a good opponent.

Kendal made further changes with Greg Wrathall returning for Matt Houghton, Tom Moulton make a return after a long period out with injury, for Joe Anderson, and Dini Noyo returning for an injured George Philipson.

With ten minutes to play Stockport pulled a try back with a break from a scrum by their scrum half, who found a large gap in the Kendal defence 33v17 with the conversion.

Reece Tomlinson limped off and was replaced by Matt Houghton.

Towards the end Steven Nelson was yellow carded (not sure what for – may be a deliberate knock on).

With the final move of the game Stockport went over for a third try, but even with the conversion fell short of picking up a bonus point. 33v24.

A much needed win to start the season, and whilst only time will tell how strong Stockport are this season, the Kendal team will also develop with better understanding, hopefully seeing support players ready for the pass.

Naki Saumaki looked a very good addition to the squad, and Aaron Stephens had his best game for the First XV. Replacement Luke Atkinson also did well when he came on.

Next week a tough task of an away trip to Manchester, who are normally much better on their own ground, but a good test for the new team, before a return to Mint Bridge in a fortnight to face Northwich, one of only four wins there last season.

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TEAMS

OTHER RESULTS

The significant of the performance and result became more clear with the other results

Opening day wins for promoted Leek against Sandbach; a bonus point draw against Manchester for Anselmians, and only a narrow defeat for Penrith against Macclesfield.

So could be a more competitive league this season, after the two teams cut adrift at the bottom last time.

No surprise that Blackburn and Rossendale start well, only time will tell whether this is due to their own strength, that of opposition - or most likely a bit of both.

It took until the last round of games last season to see a draw (Northwich v Stockport) but one in the first round this time.

TABLE

Originally I had thought a table at this point in the season is a bit meaningless (which it still is) but it does show who did (and didn't) get Bonus points.

The second team had earlier lost narrowly Stockport after leading earlier, but a good performance (at least the bit I saw before the First XV game started) from a young team.

If you were planning to come down the watch the Seconds next week, that game is now AWAY at Manchester, like the First XV game