Struggling in the Mud

Kendal came into the game looking to break a poor run of just one win in the last five games, but headed to a Wirral side sitting in fourth placed, who had only lost at home once this season, against Macclesfield in September.

A number of changes from the team who played in the last game a fortnight ago against Anselmians. Joe Anderson and Charlie Lowther were selected for the second team in a friendly against Kirkby Lonsdale, but the game was cancelled due to the opposition being unable to raise a team. Barney Coxon and Matt Houghton came off the bench to replace them, as did Ben Leacock who replaced Reece Tomlinson, who was originally selected on the bench, but whilst at the game, was replaced by Tadhg Butler. The only change behind the pack was Mckenzie Cousins came in for Ben Dixon who is recovering after an operation. Greg Wrathall and Joe Cook took the other two spots on the bench.

The pitch was very damp, and nearby Anselmians’ game against Penrith had been called off late, so Penrith’s players watched the game. Fortunately the rain stopped before kick-off and it stayed dry until the end of the game.

Wirral had the better of the opening play, and were helped by Kendal often choosing to kick the ball poorly when they had it.

The opening score went to Wirral after six minutes. There was a break down the left, then the ball was moved right, and there was an overlap to let right wing Will Morris in for a score. 5v0

The lead was doubled after eighteen minutes later. A Kendal box kick was telegraphed, and a Wirral player was through quickly to charge the kick down. The ball was moved right, and a good tackle seemed to have prevented a score, but the ball was quickly got away for a second try by right wing Will Morris. 10v0

Matt Houghton, who was captaining the side, had picked up an injury and left the field after the score, to be replaced by Greg Wrathall, with Dane Blenkharn taking over the lineout throws.

Kendal came back into the game, and were back in touch just before the half hour. They lost the ball in attack, and then the Wirral scrum half seemed to dummy a pass to try to catch Kendal offside, but when he did pass, Dane Blenkharn was though quickly to charge the kick down and the damp conditions helped by keeping the ball from rolling dead, allowing Blenkharn to get to the ball first for the touchdown. Aaron Stephens added the conversion. 10v7

The poor conditions meant both teams had a number handling error, and Kendal were to take an unlikely lead two minutes later due to one. A Wirral pass went loose and Naki Saumaki was the quickest to react, kicking ahead twice to score. 10v12.

In first half added time, Kendal won a penalty at a scrum. With time running out, rather than look for a try, Aaron Stephens was given the kick and made no mistake with the last action of the half 10v15.

At half time Matt Houghton returned for Dane Blenkharn.

Five minutes into the half, Wirral had the lead back. Another poor Kendal kick, was run back for a try which was converted. 17v15.

After quarter of an hour there was an altercation at a ruck in mid-field. The referee quickly stopped play, and Kendal No.8 Steven Nelson and a Wirral player (the shirts were too muddy by this stage to get a number) were yellow carded.

After twenty-five minutes Tadhg Butler came on for Alex Ryder, then when Steven Nelson’s sin bin expired, he was replaced by Dane Blenkharn.

Wirral extended their lead with ten minutes to play. A penalty was put to touch then their pack drove over 22v15.

Kendal made another change with Joe Cook coming on for Mckenzie Cousins. Dan Shorrock went fullback, with Cook on the wing.

Another poor Kendal kick resulted in the final Wirral score, which took away Kendal’s bonus point and any chance of snatching a draw. The kick was returned and Kendal players were penalised for not retreating (the referee had earlier twice penalised Wirral players for the same thing). From the resulting scrum, Wirral scrum half Tom Akhurst spotted a gap and went through for the try (his thirteenth of the season). 27v15.

Kendal finished strongly, but could not find a way through for a score to snatch a losing bonus point. It summed up the afternoon, that when awarded a penalty, instead of going quickly, there was total indecision on what to do, allowing Wirral to re-group.

A fortnight off before the trip to Penrith. What will their players have made of the game ? Plenty of hard work, but far too often ball was kicked away, and often poorly, whilst slow ball allowed Wirral to come up quickly (although possibly not always legally) to cut off Kendal attacks. Despite the conditions Wirral ran the ball more, and when they kicked often did it better.

Fourteen of the Wirral eighteen had come through their minis and juniors, so hopefully Kendal will also be benefit from the success of their similar system.

MAN OF MATCH VOTE

Dane Blenkharn

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OTHER RESULTS

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