Washed away

The two teams came into the game with almost identical records, with Manchester sitting in fifth place due to a better points difference of just three. Both teams had a free weekend last week due to the weather, with tough games against Blackburn and Macclesfield now needing to be re-arranged in the New Year.

Just two changes for Kendal from the squad for their last game against Penrith three weeks ago with Joe Fiddler and Alistair Thompson coming in for Dini Noyo and Ben Leacock, although Leacock re-joined the squad on the bench, with Seth Haddad moving to hooker in place of Matt Houghton, who was on the sidelines, as was Ben Dixon who is expected to be competing for a place in the team after Christmas after his year down under.

The forecast had suggested heavy rain earlier in the day, but getting better in time for kick off, but conditions were almost exactly the opposite, and could not be much more different to those on the day of the game in Manchester at the start of the season, when there was sweltering heat.

Yet again Kendal made a bad start at home. A long Manchester kick was run back, but the ball lost in the tackle, putting Manchester on the attack in the Kendal half. The ball was then moved from the scrum to set up a position for a try from short range after just two minutes, with the conversion added 0v7.

Kendal had a good spell, but it all went wrong when the ball was turned over in the Manchester twenty two, with play going almost the length of the field for a second Manchester try 0v12 after five minutes.

The lead was extended with a penalty after eleven minutes when Manchester drove Kendal at a scrum under their posts. 0v15.

It started sleeting with a strong crossfield wind, which Manchester used well to push Kendal back, with Kendal making a lot of errors to keep them under pressure.

The only further scored before halftime was a second Manchester penalty after twenty-five minutes. 0v18

At half-time Kendal made two changes with Ben Leacock and Dane Blenkharn coming on for Joe Anderson and Steven Nelson.

Kendal came out stronger and had the better of the first ten minutes of play, but could find no way through the strong Manchester defence.

The failure to find a way through was punished when Manchester broke away and again took play to the other end of the pitch, to add a third try, converted for a 0v25 lead.

It looked as if Kendal could have a first score when Aaron Stephen spotted a gap down the left wing and put a kick through for Joe Fiddler to chase. Fiddler beat the Manchester defence to the ball, and kicked ahead, but just too strongly and the ball rolled dead beating his despairing dive.

After twenty five minutes Kendal made a third change with Olly Bibby coming on for Joe Fiddler. Manchester had made regular changes to their team throughout the game.

With just under ten minutes to play Kendal had a break through. Aarons Stephens darted through to the line, and whilst stopped, Dan Shorrock (?) was in support for the score, which Stephens then converted. 7v25

Five minutes later Aaron Stephens added a second try, with a move started with a good Naki Sumaki break down the right. 12v25.

Kendal went looking for another score to possibly snatch a unlikely bonus points, whilst Manchester were looking for a fourth try to get a bonus point of their own, but both were to be disappointed.

Another game spoilt by the weather, but Manchester used conditions much better, and looked the far stronger team. Having moved into fourth place, with a lot of home games to come after Christmas, they will be looking to hold on to it.

The mystery for Kendal is why they cannot match the strong performances against Rossendale and Blackburn, against other teams.

A big test next weekend, before the Christmas break, when the team travel to Northwich, which was definitely one of those which “got away” last season. A heavy away defeat to Anselmians this weekend sees Northwich drop into the bottom two, and with the top three still to play in their remaining five home games, this will be seen as a “must win” for them if they are to retain their place in the League. Whilst for Kendal a win is needed to restore confidence, and keep the push on for a top four finish.

This week's report is dedicated to the makers of water resistant paper, without which it would not have been possible.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Greg Wrathall

TEAMS :

Manchester's replacements were taken from their website which differs from those listed on the programme

ACTION

OTHER RESULTS

I think I got them all right this week, with home advantage coming through in both games towards the foot of the table

TABLE

Whilst Manchester pull away from us, Stockport's loss at Penrith means they stay 11 points behind

Penrith and Ansemians wins mean Northwich our opposition next week in the final game before the Christmas break, drop into the relegation places.

SECOND XV
Their game (also against Manchester), did not take place

Possibly due to uncertainty about whether the 3G would be needed for the First XV game ?