Match Preview

Kendal v Birkenhead Park: K.O. 3pm at Mint Bridge +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

After the fun of the big win last weekend, it gets serious with the first of four very tough fixtures, against some of the rest of the best in the League.

I think all that were at the game at Birkenhead Park exactly a month ago would agree we were not at our best that afternoon, not helped by a late arrival as the coach (ones with wheels not Garry) broke down in Kendal. Despite this we were not that far off a win against a team with an equally formidable record this season, so I suspect they were also some way below their best. So hopefully it will be a totally different game this weekend – and equally with a totally different final result – but the team are going to need to be at their best.

Park have won their last seven games, five with try scoring bonus points. They sit fifteen points behind us, but partly as they are two games behind with postponements away at Manchester and home to Wilmslow to come. Last weekend they got a narrow win on the Isle of Man. Like us they have four losses, away at Glossop (whose only home loss is Stockport) and Penrith (only home loss is to us) and at home to Stockport (unbeaten) and Manchester.

TEAM : Only two changes to last week's team, with Hugh Davies back at prop, so Liam Hayton returns to his normal spot at No.4, and Ben Leacock starts on the bench. Lewis Kincart returns after missing the two Bowdon games with an injury.

Still no Greg Wrathall, so Dane Blenkharn keeps his place in the back row after doing well last week, joining Steven and Matt who both missed the game a month ago.

As is well documented, if Liam Hayton makes it onto the field he will join a small group who have reach 400 appearances for the club, and if Chris Park gets six points he becomes only the third to reach 1,000 points for the club, but will have to do it starting from the bench (another converted try to add to last week's will do it !)

WEATHER : Sorry clearly there is some thing wrong with the MetOffice forecast whuch suggests sunshine all day and no chance of rain - don't they know it is a match day Saturday at Mint Bridge ? Although I think they gave a similar forecast for Vale of Lune - so Thick Fog !

REPORT : An advanced warning to anyone not able to make it. The full report may not get onto the website until Sunday, due to the later kick off and other commitments in the evening.

The score line and early report; Man of the Match vote; other results and table, should all be up as normal shortly after the game (once I find a Wi-Fi connection)