Not at their best - but another four points

Both teams came into the weekend after poor results last weekend, and were looking for League points to keep them in touch with those around them, in a last game before the three week Christmas break.

The big news for Kendal was Ben Dixon was back after almost a year away. He was selected at fullback, with Leo Mercer returning to the centre, in place of Luke Atkinson. Reece Tomlinson started from the bench with Ben Leacock in the second row. Mark Carruthers came onto the bench with Olly Bibby selected for the Second XV.

Due to too close colours, (Northwich play in black with yellow trim) Kendal played in their changed kit (clearly chosen by someone who is colour blind)

For once Kendal started well and had the lead after five minutes. The referee signalled a penalty in front of the posts and Kendal used the advantage but when it came to nothing they came back for a kick converted by Aaron Stephens 0v3.

Northwich were having the better of play, with more ball and territory, but rarely looked like opening their scoring. Several times Kendal players lost the ball in the tackle, whilst kicks too often went to Northwich players to run back.

Steven Nelson broke from a scrum in the Kendal twenty two, and made a lot of ground but no one was in support, so he had to kick ahead, and Northwich gathered he ball.

Whilst Northwich were moving the ball, too often Kendal players were going alone and no pass was coming, but when the opening try came it was from an excellent passing move.

Ben Dixon joined the line and broke through from within his own half. After making ground he got the ball away to Joe Fiddler, and when he was stopped, Dixon took the return pass and released Aaron Stephens who was in support for a clear run to the line to score. 0v8 after twenty minutes.

The lead was almost immediately extended. Kendal failed to deal with the restart kick and Northwich took the ball, but were immediately turned over. The ball was moved into the centre where Naki Suamki broke through. He then released Leo Mercer, who made ground before throwing a long pass to Joe Fiddler, on the left wing. Initially it looked as if he would use Ben Dixon who was in support, but instead he outpaced the Northwich player and went through to score himself. Aaron Stephens added the conversion 0v15.

Northwich continued to have the better of play, with Kendal making a number of mistakes when they had the ball, but their line was seldom threatened.

Finally late in the half Northwich pulled a try back from short range from quickly taken penalty. 5v15

This signalled the first Kendal change with Reece Tomlinson replacing Joe Anderson

There was no further scoring, and neither set of coaches can have been happy at half time.

Three minutes into the second half and the Kendal lead was down to just a single score. A poor clearance kick was run back, and whilst the move was stopped, the position was set up for a Northwich try from short range. 10v15.

One of the problems for Kendal was over complicating moves, with forwards (and some backs) looking to batter a way through the Northwich forwards, rather moving the ball wide quickly, to test the Northwich backs who looked less confident. When the next try came it was from a simple move.

From a scrum near halfway Steven Nelson picked up, but rather than going himself he offloaded to Dervin Coyle, who released Dan Shorrock, and when he was stopped Nelson was in support to continue to the line untouched for the score. Aaron Stephens added the conversion 10v22.

This saw a change for Kendal with Mark Carruthers replacing Joe Fiddler. He went onto the centre and Naki Sumaki went onto the wing.

Shortly afterwards Dane Blenkharn came on as a replacement.

Northwich continued to press for the score, and there was an odd decision from the referee. A long Northwich pass went loose in front of the Kendal posts, and was gathered by Ben Dixon who seemed to have a clear run in front of him. However instead of playing advantage, the referee blew quickly for the forward pass, and the chance was gone.

With ten minutes to play, Northwich took a penalty quickly near the Kendal line, and Dane Blenkharn who had failed to retreat before making the tackle was yellow carded.

Kendal made a further change with Joe Anderson returning for Barney Coxon.

It looked as if Northwich had got another try when their centre broken through, but Aaron Stephens managed to get in to stop him grounding the ball and win a goal line drop out,

There was an injury to Alex Ryder, which saw him have to be helped off the pitch, which saw Barney Coxon return.

With timing running out Kendal went looking for the extra try for a bonus point, but Northwich got the ball deep on their own half and went through to score near the touchline. The conversion came back off the post, meaning the best they could hope for with time running out was a draw.

There were a few scares but Kendal held out for victory.

Again Kendal struggled to put their game together against one of the bottom six, and despite scoring three good tries by moving the ball, persisted in trying to batter a way through a strong Northwich defence. The difference for Northwich this season, appears to be whilst their pack is still winning ball, with the exception of one centre, their back division lacks the star quality of last season, to turn ball into points, They will need to take their opportunities in what looks likely to be a tight battle between the bottom six to not finish at the foot of the table, when the season ends.

So Kendal have (I think) still to lose in the changed strip.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Ben Dixon

TEAM

[b]ACTION

OTHER RESULTS

Rossendale go top with a big win against title rivals Blackburn

Sandbach win the clash at the other end of the table

TABLE

Rossendale and Macclesfield open up five point gap over Blackburn, with Rossendale having the much better points difference, and Macclesfield have to visit them.

Despite their loss Nantwich's bonus point moves then out of the bottom two at the expense of Leek.

A useful bonus point for Penrith against joint leaders Macclesfield.

Sandbach's big win means they now sit just two points behind Northwich in the safety position, with lots of winnable home games to come, and mean just five points split the bottom six.

NEW YEAR
A few weeks off but League rugby returns to Mint Bridge on the 6 January, for the visit of Sandbach, who after a good win this weekend will be looking for more points to get off the foot of the table

The games which should have taken place a fortnight ago, including our trip to Macclesfield, are all now rescheduled for the 20th January (according to the RFU website), previously a Free weekend.