Finishing the League Season in Style

A last League game of the season, and with just one League point separating the two teams (Kendal’s draw against an extra try scoring bonus point for Stockport), the winner would finish sixth in the top half of the table.

The game at Mint Bridge had opened the season, setting Kendal on their good run, but they came into this game with a string of six defeats. Stockport had struggled away from home, but had only lost twice by more than seven points at home, to leaders Macclesfield and to very local rivals Manchester. Their recent big win being the one that derailed Rossendale’s promotion chances.

Just one change to the Kendal team that faced Macclesfield a fortnight ago, with Greg Wrathall come off the bench to replace Ben Leacock. His place on the bench was taken by Charlie Lowther, who was joined by Will Meaden.

A warm sunny Spring afternoon, was spoilt by a strong wind.

Kendal had both the wind and the slope in the first half, but hardly touched the ball in the opening exchanges, with some excellent fast passing from Stockport, which led to a try from short range after just three minutes 7v0 with the conversion.

Stockport continued to dominate, and when they added a second converted try ten minutes later, following more good passing, but helped by a few half hearted Kendal tackles, it looked like it could be a long afternoon for the Kendal support. 14v0.

Finally Kendal came into the game, and there was more hope after a move started from a run by Barney Coxon, taken on by Naki Saumaki, who set Dan Shorrock off down the left touchline, only for him to caught by a double tackle on the line, and driven into touch as he lost the ball whilst trying to ground it.

Kendal did get a scored after twenty-five minutes. A penalty was put to touch, and after the lineout was won, the Kendal pack drove for the line, and whilst they could not get over, when the ball was moved wide, and centre Luke Atkinson spotted a gap and managed to get through to score. With the difficult wind, the conversion failed, but Kendal were back in the game 14v5

Kendal made a change with Will Meaden coming on for Mckenzie Cousins

Five minutes later Stockport restored their lead. Kendal had a lineout, but the throw was taken by the wind and was well off target giving Stockport a scrum. The ball was then moved from right to left, with a try in the corner, 19v5

There was a second change for Kendal with Joe Anderson coming on for Barney Coxon.

Kendal struck back quickly. The wind caught a Stockport line out throw to give Kendal a scrum. The Kendal backs were lined up for the ball to be moved left, but instead Steven Nelson picked up and went down the right touchline for the line. Whilst he was stopped, Joe Fiddler was in support for the try. Again no conversion. 19v10.

There was another chance for Kendal when scrum half Devin Coyle put a kick through for Joe Fiddler and Will Meaden to chase, but the bounce of the ball just eluded them both.

Kendal then had another good spell in the Stockport twenty two, before a pass was intercepted and it looked as of Stockport could get away for another try, but the Kendal defence got back.

Kendal got a further score in the fifth minute of added time, with play having been held up several times as the wind had taken the ball onto the other two pitches with games taking place. A penalty was put to touch and the pack drove to the line, with Steven Nelson was the last up. 19v15 at half time.

The view on the touchline from both sets of supporters seemed to be Stockport would be able to make better use for the wind and slope in the second half – but it was not to be.

Dan Shorrock was regularly getting the better of the Stockport cover on his wing, and ten minutes into the half, he made a long weaving run. Whilst stopped, he got a pass away to Alistair Thompson who had a clear run to the line. Luke Atkinson took over the kicking duties and added the conversion, despite an early charge from some Stockport players, and Kendal had the lead. 19v22

Ten minutes later it got even better. Dan Shorrock got away again, this time his pass went to Devin Coyle, and Will Meaden, who had been weaving through Stockport players left behind Shorrock, was on hand, to take the pass and was far too quick for the chasing Stockport players to catch. 19v27.

Barney Coxon returned for Glenn Chesher.

At this point it was clear the heat and pace of the game was taking its toll on a number of the Stockport pack, but they were let back into the game.

Kendal had already been penalised at a ruck whilst on the attack near the posts, and it happened a second time in mid-field. The referee then called Joe Anderson back with captain for the day Matt Houghton, and yellow carded Anderson.

The penalty was put to touch and the Stockport pack drove over for the try. The wind blew the ball off the kicking tee as the Stockport outside half started his run up. He then tried to drop kick the conversion, but it failed. 24v27.

Charlie Lowther came on for Dane Blenkharn, but soon had to go back off as Glenn Chesher was required for a scrum.

With under ten minutes to play Stockport had the lead back. They put a kick to touch in the Kendal twenty-two, but then stole the lineout ball, and set up a try which this time was converted 31v27

Another “so close” and “what if” for Kendal ? Not this time !

Will Meaden ran back a Stockport kick and the move was taken on by Glenn Chesher. There were several attempts to get over from short range, and finally a player dived over (not sure who – could have been Devin Coyle for his first try of the season). Luke Atkinson then added the conversion 31v34, which meant whilst a penalty could give Stockport a draw, Kendal would still finish above them in the table

With five minutes to go, still time for a mistake to see the win snatched away, but instead the team went through the perfect routine to run a clock down, as the forwards pounded the Stockport line from short range, with Glenn Chester, Steven Nelson and Matt Houghton amongst those stopped just short. At one point it looked as if Devin Coyle was moving the ball wide, but it was just to Matt Houghton and Alex Ryder, who set up another attempt to batter their way over.

Finally the referee signalled a knock-on and came back for a scrum which appeared to give Stockport one last chance, but then he decided there was not time, and blew the final whistle.

So a very rare last day of the season win, that sees the team finish in the top half of the table.

The wind meant less ball was kicked away, and for once the ball was moved to the backs quicker, or saw Alistair Thompson and Matt Houghton, looking to open up the Stockport defence.

I had thought this was the last game of the season, if the game against the same opposition does not take place, as Stockport now have no home game in the competition after the withdrawal of first Alnwick, and then Blaydon (whose only home game was Alnwick), but if it doesn’t take place, I assume Kendal would go forward to the next round as group winners, by default ?

MAN OF THE MATCH

Dan Shorrock

TEAMS

ACTION

OTHER RESULTS

The highest average scores of the season (67 per game) with 8 try scoring bonus points

As expected Macclesfield, Blackburn discovered some form and a high scoring game at Sandbach

FINAL TABLE

So Sandbach's win sees them move off the foot of the table for the first time since November (Penrith were there then) but too late.