Another Bonus Point Win

Both teams came into the game with a home win and an away loss. Northwich had started with the shortest of short straws with an away trip to Blackburn, and followed it up with a narrow home win against Anselmians last weekend. They were one of only two teams who Kendal will meet this season, who were defeated last season, so a continued good start to the season was essential.

Dini Noyo was back after dropping out of last weekend’s game, whilst Steven Nelson was injured and Alistair Thompson unavailable, so the pack reshuffled with Glenn Chesher joining the front row and Barney Coxon and Alex Ryder dropping back one.

Northwich wore bright yellow shirts so no colour clash this time, or need for Kendal to use their quartered shirts.

Kendal made the better start but could find no way through.

The opening score came after ten minutes. Northwich were penalised at a lineout and Kendal took a scrum. The forwards were unable to force a way through, but when a second scrum came, the ball was moved to Adrian Karlese who found a gap and was through for the opening try. 5v0.

Kendal had another long period on attack, but it was all to go wrong. A long Northwich clearance kick went to touch on the stand side. Quick thinking saw the throw taken quickly, but the pass was fumbled and Northwich took the ball and with the Kendal defence out of position, were they powerless to stop a try totally against the run of play, with possibly Northwich’s first visit to the Kendal twenty two. 5v5.

Kendal were back in the lead three minutes later. Northwich were again penalised at a lineout and Matt Houghton took a penalty quickly and made a lot of ground, before being taken with a high tackle. Aaron Stephens put the kick from in front of the posts over 8v5.

The lead was extended three minutes later. Following a lineout, Aaron Stephens made a break making a lot of ground, before timing a pass perfectly for Adrian Karlese to get his second try. Aaron Stephens then added an excellent conversion from near the touchline. 15v5.

With five minutes of the half to play Northwich were down to fourteen. Deep in Kendal’s half, their outside centre came through high and dangerous on Greg Wrathall at a ruck. There was an altercation between the two teams, but once the referee had restored order, the centre was inevitably shown a Red card, but the others involved from both teams escaped with no further punishment.

Five minutes later Northwich were down to thirteen. As Kendal attacked down the right, as a pass came out, the ball was punched out of the air by right wing, and a penalty and yellow card followed,

Four minutes later there was a re-play this time of the left and involving the Northwich fullback. Again there appeared to be no attempt to intercept, and a yellow card followed, and Northwich were lucky to avoid a penalty try, as this time if the pass had found its target Kendal appeared to have a two man overlap.

Kendal did add a third try before half time. Following a scrum, the ball went to Adrian Karlese, he failed to gather it properly and had to go back to collect the ball, but then used this to his advantage to attack. He fed Dan Shorrock who had a lot to do, but found a way through three Northwich tacklers to get the touchdown. Aaron Stephens put over another difficult conversion, this time from the opposite side of the pitch. 22v5 at half time.

Kendal conceded a number of early penalties at the start of the second half, but from the third Northwich lost the ball and Barney Coxon made a lot of ground. Aaron Stephens moved the ball wide and Adrian Karlese was in for his third and Kendal bonus point try, 27v5

Shortly after Kendal had a fifth try. The ball came to Leo Mercer, who with support around him had plenty of options, but backed himself and powered to the line for the try. 32v8.

With the game won, Kendal appeared to lose focus and let Northwich restored to fourteen men back into the game with two quick unconverted tries 32v15. Between them Kendal made their first change with Dane Blenkharn replacing Matt Houghton.

Fears of a Northwich comeback were eased after twenty minutes with a burst of speed taking Adrian Karlese through for his fourth try, Aaron Stephens converted. 39v15.

The next try was probably Kendal’s best of the afternoon, with the ball kept alive through a string of passes out of tackles. Hooker Seth Haddad found space down the left touchline, when stopped he kept the ball alive getting a pass away, then was on hand to take a return pass and make more ground. Naki Saumaki then took the ball on, but instead of going for the line himself, he committed the defence then found Dini Noyo in full flight who went through to score. 44v15.

Kendal made a double change with Mark Carrithers coming on for Dini Noyo, and Matt Houghton returning for Reece Tomlinson.

With ten minutes to play, despite the big lead Kendal took a kick at goal from a penalty and Aaron Stephens took the score to 47v15.

Northwich came back and Leo Mercer was yellow carded

Patrick Wolstenholme came on late to make his debut in place of Matt Houghton, but worryingly after a second eye catching performance, Adrian Karlese was forced off after need treatment several times. Dini Noyo returned.

In added time Kendal were on the attack deep in the Northwich half but were penalised, and the penalty was taken quickly with the Northwich fullback went over from long distance to get his team a bonus point their performance scarcely deserved. 47v20.

For Kendal a mixed afternoon, an excellent result and some really good play, but for a second home game the team seemed to switch off when the game was won.

At times chances were missed by lack of quick thinking, such as with the Northwich right wing moved into the centre at a scrum, when Northwich were penalised, a quick pass to Dan Shorrock, would have given him a easy run to the line, but the team dithered and the chance was gone. One suspects if Steven Nelson had been there, he would have been quickly on his way, with Shorrock waiting for a pass which never came !

It may have been a good time to play Northwich who clearly had some talented players, but had yet to gel and their poor discipline, including several times being penalised for backchat to the referee, and the three cards cost them.

Next weekend an interesting away trip. Sandbach were one of my favourites for this seasons title, but another loss this weekend sees them still winless one off the foot of the table, so they will see our game as a “must win”– and our team need to see it the same way, cut out the mistakes and find a ruthless streak, and go one better than at Manchester.

MAN OF THE MATCH VOTE

Adrian Karlese

TEAMS

ACTION

OTHER RESULTS

A tight game between the top two; Leek unable to repeat their opening day win to give Wirral a first win; Manchester win on the road at Penrith; Anselmians get their first win to leave Sandbach winless before their game with us next weekend.

CORRECTION : Manchester scored 34 (not 24), so Penrith did not get a bonus point (neither did Stockport against us a fortnight ago)

TABLE

PHOTO

Paul's back !

OK so it is Devin's front - but quality photography is restored.