Earthblog

Kendal quickly got into their stride, keeping play in the Carlisle half and mixing play well between backs and forwards. The first opportunity was Kendal’s but the penalty kick attempt for a ruck infringement went wide however they continued to press and a running move was only thwarted when the Carlisle fullback stopped Ali Thompson dead in his tracks 20 mtrs out when the odds were on to score. For all Carlisle where under pressure, they played well and their first sortie into Kendal territory led to a penalty kick attempt 40 mtrs out but despite the tail wind, this dropped short. Impetus was now with Carlisle and a penalty allowed them into Kendal’s 22 for the first time in the game. This led to a rolling maul from a penalty kick to touch, sucking in the Kendal defence. Although Kendal managed to stop the maul, Carlisle moved the ball infield for the first score of the game (30 mins), the try being converted. 0-7

For the remainder of the half the game remained fairly tight but very entertaining, both sides looking to mix play to find opposition weaknesses. Kendal pushed hard towards the end of the first half and were rewarded with a try by Jordan Johnson (40 mins) after sustained forward pressure had led to a Carlisle ruck infringement, the penalised player being sent to the bin. A relatively simple conversion was made by Luke Jacobs to even the scores at half time (7-7)

Two forward substitutions were made at half time by Kendal, one was enforced injury, and the other tactical, to inject more pace to combat the Carlisle side who were playing slightly wider than anticipated. With the numerical advantage due to the Carlisle sin bin, Kendal re-started quickly and 4 minutes into the second half a driven lineout allowed James Thompson to be carried over for the converted try. Pressure was beginning to tell on the Carlisle side, conceding a penalty 4 minutes later but the Kendal kick was unsuccessful. The home side were able to maximise the use of the extra man, playing the territorial game well by kicking to the corners to pin Carlisle back deep near their own goal line. A quickly won ruck led to Kendal driving a maul over the Carlisle line, the unconverted try being awarded to Matty Houghton. 19 points scored by Kendal during the sin bin period certainly turned the game, however the visitors could not be written off, with 30 minutes still to play and only two converted tries adrift.

Carlisle continued to play some good rugby, introducing their substitutes carefully and always looking threatening. With both sides desperate to salvage something from their season it was a surprise that very few frustrations boiled over, passions usually overspilling more freely than witnessed during this game. Kendal controlled the game well and good defensive co-ordination led to some turnover ball which they were able to exploit, leading to counter attack opportunities. On 57 minutes, one such counter attack led to Carlisle killing the ball inside their own 22 with the kick to touch option being favoured by Kendal. The Kendal lineout had worked well all day and the subsequent catch and drive allowed Josh Chaplow to claim the uncoverted try, taking the score to 24-7 with just over 20 minutes left.

Kendal relaxed slightly and Carlisle enjoyed a 15 mins period of pressure and were unlucky not to score after a series of penalties inside Kendal’s 22. Stout and resolute tackling by the home side holding them at bay. Carlisle pressure eventually told, with Ali Thompson being sin binned for ‘side entry’ in a ruck and Matty Houghton having to retire from the game, having sustained a shoulder injury with a try saving tackle. The man advantage and the fact that Carlisle had not scored from a 10 minute period of intense pressure seemed to sap the life from the visitors, and Kendal eventually earned a ruck penalty and cleared their lines. One final push by the home side took play deep into the Carlisle 22, quick ball led to Jacobs shipping the ball wide to Leo Mercer to finish the game with an unconverted try. Final Score 29-7.

Thanks to all players, coaches, supporters and helpers for their involvement this year and especially to our sponsors SBS, Kendal; enjoy the win!

David Orrell