Burnage 47 (40) v Kendal 0 (0)

Saturday 20^th April 2013

After their success against Billingham last weekend, Kendal travelled to Burnage in search of their first away win in two years.

Dan Lowther, Leo Mercer and Alistair Thompson returned to the side, in place of Simon Mulholand, Ian Voortman and Billy Coxon.

Burnage started the better, and Kendal seemed to struggle on the hard artificial surface. Having weathered the early storm, Kendal were undone by a break from Burnage No.8 Oli Hewitt, and whilst he was finally stopped in the twenty two, the ball was recycle and a number of weak tackles saw centre Stuart Oldham have an easy run to the line for the opening try. Outside half Ross Winney converted. 7v0.

Kendal came into the game for the first time, but more poor tackling allowed Burnage to double their lead. Centre Adam Blaney entered the line at pace, and then weaved his way through for the score, converted by Blaney. 14v0.

After a quarter of an hour when when Kendal were on the attack in mid-field, the ball was turned over, and Burnage prop Chris Keane found himself in acres of space, and having committed Kendal fullback Dan Lowther, unselfishly passing to left wing Robbie Wellock for the try. Blaney again converted. 21v0

The powerful Burnage forwards were denying Kendal any ball, and veteran scrum half and Burnage head coach Wayne Morris, who had earlier in his career captained Pontypool in the top tier of Welsh rugby and played for Waterloo in the second tier of English rugby, used the ball won by his forwards to good effect.

Burnage’s fourth try came from the forwards, as they drove from a line out to the line, and whilst it initially appeared Kendal players had held the ball up, the referee eventually awarded the try, with Blaney maintaining his 100% kicking record.  28v0.

Whilst Kendal were coming more into the game, with the forwards trying to take on their powerful opponents, the backs were for a second week having difficulties dealing with the random bounce of the ball on the hard artificial surface.

A cross field kick was excellently fielded by Burnage right wing Andy Dowdall, for his team’s fifth try, with Winney adding the conversion. 35v0.

Kendal came close to scoring after an excellent break by fullback Dan Lowther. This was ended on the line by a high tackle from home fullback James Knight, but whilst he was sent to the sin bin, the referee did not award a penalty try.

Kendal’s line out had struggled all afternoon, with long throws regularly leading to the ball been stolen, or the referee adjudging the throw to have not been straight, and the penalty opportunity was wasted in this way.

The final score of the half came with Kendal pressing for a score on their opponents’ line. Burnage won the ball and a kick out of defence saw the ball bounce away from the defending Kendal left wing Alistair Thompson, and Burnage flanker George Birtle gathered for an easy score in the corner. The difficult kick from the touchline into the wind finally broke the excellent kicking record of outside half Winney, who struck the post with the conversion attempt. 40v0.

Fears of a repeat of a fortnight ago at Sandal were unfounded as Kendal regrouped and came back into the game in the second half, tightening up their defence and looking more of a threat in attack.

After a long period of Burnage pressure, after a quarter of an hour of the half, the forwards managed to get across the line and ground the ball for their teams seventh try, which Winney converted. 47v0.

Kendal came back into the game, but were regularly thwarted by Burnage players coming from offside positions to kill the ball. Whilst the referee awarded a string of penalties he failed to send a second player to the sin bin.

Liam Hayton made a long run down the left wing, and later Dan Lowther was stopped close to the line.

Kendal finished the game on the attack, but could find no way through a well marshalled defence, for a score which would have deservedly given them a shared of the second half scoring.

After the excitement of the previous weekend, this was a disappointing end to the season, against a strong Burnage side, who showed why they will finish fourth in the league.

Kendal

15        Dan Lowther

14        Peter Baynes

13        Jason Poleman

12        Leo Mercer

11        Alistair Thompson                [rep : Jordon Johnson]

10        Simon Davidson

9          Dini Nayo

1          Alistair Livesey

2          Duncan Green

3          Richard Harriman

4          Liam Hayton

5          Reece Tomlinson                [rep : Ben Leacock]

6          James Thompson                [rep : Dan Greenwood]

7          Liam Nicholson                   

8          Garry Holmes

Burnage

15        James Knight                                  

14        Andy Dowdall          

13        Stuart Oldham

12        Adam Blaney

11        Robbie Wellcock     

10        Ross Winney

9          Wayne Morris

1          Chris Keane

2          Zac Hammond

3          Jim Williams

4          Phil Edge

5          Nick Scholes

6          Tony Lynn

7          George Birtle

8          Oli Hewitt

Kendal 41 (17) v Billingham 31 (5)

Saturday 13^th April 2013

After last week’s result, there was unsurprisingly some big gaps on the touchline at Mint Bridge, but the crowd was bolstered by a large contingent from Billingham, many in Hawaiian fancy dress which sadly was not matched by the weather.

Billingham started the game well, and soon had Kendal penned in their twenty two, with Kendal having little option but to kick to touch when they had the ball, to temporarily relieve the pressure.

Having weathered the early storm, Kendal were soon into the game and opened the scoring after nine minutes. After good interplay in midfield had set up a position in the Billingham twenty two, the forwards pounded the line, with Richard Harryman coming up with the opening try. 5v0.

Instead of, as so often this season, switching off after a score, and immediately conceding, Kendal came straight back into the game from the kick off, and a move finally broken down in the Billingham twenty two, when they were penalised for not releasing the ball after a tackle.

Billingham were on the attack, after right wing Luke Wilson broke clear and chipped ahead, but the move broken down with a knock on.

For Kendal, Liam Hayton made a good break from defence, continued by Simon Mulholland to set up a good position in the Billingham twenty two. Simon Davidson somehow managed to cling on to a poor pass and took the move forward, before it broke down with a knock on. Billingham were disrupted by the loss of a forward to injury, and the Kendal pack took full advantage by stealing the ball at the resulting scrum. Again the forwards pounded the line, and finally, despite being stopped before the line, Billy Coxon was able to stretch out to touchdown for the second try. With all the regular kickers injured or unavailable, Simon Davidson took on the role, and converted. 10v0.

Billingham were back in the game two minutes later. Kendal were penalised for not rolling away after a tackle, and the penalty was quickly moved to the right for a try in the corner by left wing Craig Shepherd 10v5.

Kendal continued to put pressure on Billingham, and the forwards were totally dominating the line out and scrum, where the forwards efforts were not being rewarded, as the referee missed regular obstruction of Kendal scrum half Dini Nayo, as he went in search of loose ball.

At the end of normal time in the first half the referee penalised the Billingham fullback for being ahead of his kicker, as he chased a kick out of defence. Rather than take a kick at goal, Kendal opted for a scrum, and the forwards set up a maul, from which second row Reece Thomlinson broke away to score from close range.

Kendal turned around with a 17v5 half time lead, needing just one further try for a bonus point.

The bonus point try came after five minutes, after a run down the right wing by Peter Baynes. The ball was moved into the centre, with Jason Poleman taking the move on. The forwards then took the ball to the line, finished by scrum half Dini Nayo. 22v5

Billingham came back into the game, after the referee spotted a number of Kendal backs well offside in defence near halfway. After allowing a long period of advantage, he came back for the penalty. A clever cross field chip was gathered for a try in the left hand corner by right wing Luke Wilson. 22v10

Kendal continued to play well, and a strong break through the centre by flanker Liam Nicholson set them on their way to the next try. A penalty for offside was put to the line and the forwards rumbled to the try line for a second try by Reece Tomlinson. 27v10.

Better was to follow. Simon Davidson’s twenty two drop out, was fielded by wing Peter Baynes who made a long break down the right. When he was stopped prop Billy Coxon was in support to take the move on, and he was able to feed captain Liam Hayton, who galloped to the line for the try, with Simon Davidson putting over the easy conversion 34v10 with twenty five minutes to play.

The fantasy of a twenty four point lead, almost turned to a nightmare, as Billingham ran in twenty one unanswered points in five minutes.

First a long kick out of defence by Billingham, bounced favourably for fullback Peter Evans, who was able to gather and run in to score which he converted himself 34v17.

A second kick caused confusion in the Kendal defence, and Evans scored again on the left. 34v22

A further kick up field saw more confusion in the Kendal defence, with right wing Peter Baynes unable to gather a bouncing ball. The referee decided he had deliberately played the ball into touch with his hands, awarding a penalty and harshly sin binning him. Billingham took advantage by putting a grubber kick down his wing, for a try from left wing Luke Wilson which with Evans conversion, reduced the lead back to just three points. 34v31

Taking advantage of rolling substitutions, Kendal brought the youngest of their old heads, Garry Holmes, back on to the field and steadied the ship, although there were further mistakes.

A penalty awarded to Kendal was put to the corner, but indecision at the line out saw the referee award a penalty against them. When this was taken, the kick was easily dealt with by fullback Simon Mulholland, but Kendal were penalised for the tackle on the kicker, giving Billingham a good position from which to mount an attack.

This was dealt with, and Kendal set up good position of their own in the Billingham twenty two. When awarded an easy penalty in front of the posts, which would have meant Billingham needed a converted try to win, forward dominance and memories of the late late drama of the away fixture, saw Kendal instead opt for a scrum. The forwards drove well, and when the scrum broke up Garry Holmes took the ball on, after it was re-cycled, he was on hand again for the match sealing try. Simon Davidson put the conversion over for a ten point cushion going into injury time 41v31.

Kendal were not finished, and Dini made a break from defence down the right wing. The ball was moved across field and it looked as if Peter Baynes had scored his first try, but he had just put a foot in touch.

The forwards continued to put pressure on the Billingham line, but when the ball was held up on the line, at the resulting scrum the referee decided that the dominant Kendal scrum had been disrupted and instead awarded a scrum to Billingham. However when Kendal flanker Liam Nicholson gathered the clearance kick, he put the ball dead to end Kendal’s last home game of the season, with a memorable win.

Whilst Billingham may have been weakened by giving games to a number of squad players, they fielded nine of the team which took part in their home fixture, whilst Kendal had only eight of their team, including Simon Davidson now playing in the unaccustomed roles of outside half place kicker.

The bonus point win moves Kendal level with third bottom Birkenhead Park, but whatever happens next weekend at Burnage, that may be as good as it gets, as Park end their season with games against bottom West Hartlepool and fourth bottom Bradford & Bingley.

Things will not get easier for Billingham next weekend as they host Harrogate, who were knocked off the top spot by Chester, after their loss to Sandal. With just four points separating the three teams at the top, and Sandal finishing their season with a home game against fourth bottom Bradford & Bingley, where they will be expected to come away with maximum points, it could be Billingham’s chance to pull a surprise of their own.

Kendal

15        Simon Mulholland

14        Peter Baynes

13        Jason Poleman

12        Alistair Thompson

11        Ian Voortman

10        Simon Davidson

9          Dini Nayo

1          Billy Coxon

2          Duncan Green

3          Richard Harriman

4          Liam Hayton (C)

5          Reece Tomlinson

6          James Thompson

7          Liam Nicholson                   

8          Garry Holmes

16        Dan Greenwood

17        Ben Leacock

18        Rob Wighman

Billingham

15        Peter Evans

14        Luke Wilson 

13        Anth Hyndman

12        Will Turnbull

11        Craig Shephard

10        Joe Evans (C)

9          Daniel Finney

1          Callum Cranston

2          Dave Reay

3          Sean Wallace

4          Steve Smith

5          Anthony Rumis

6          Paul Shephard

7          Phil Reay

8          Mike Evans

Referee : Paul Finken       

Saturday 6^th April 2013

Life was not getting any easier for Kendal, as they travelled to face a third placed Sandal team who were without a loss since defeat by Chester on the 13^th of October and who had only three losses and one draw, this season all away from home.

With a number of players injured or unavailable, the Kendal team was reshuffled again. Leo Mercer made a rare appearance on the wing, whilst Andrew Quarry came in at prop in place of Alistair Livesey who was away on International duty for Malta. Sandal had also taken the opportunity to rest some of their first team, with the clash against leaders Harrogate to come next weekend.

After the recent cold winter weather, it was a warm bright afternoon, and the hard ground was ideal for running rugby.

The game started as too many have recently, with Kendal going behind at the start. The Kendal kick off, was run back up the right wing, and a number of weak tackles allowed Sandal centre Dave Martin in for the opening score after less than a minute. 5v0

Kendal then had one of their best spells of the game, but further errors led to Sandal increasing their lead. A drop out was taken quickly, and was run back down the wing, for Martin to score his second try after just eight minutes. Outside half Greg Wood converted from close to the touchline. 12v0.

Sandal’s third try came from a scrum close to halfway. Kendal had put a penalty to the line, but the throw-in was adjudged to be not straight. Scrum half Gareth Newman made a break down the left hand touchline from the scrum, before feeding left wing James Ellar. 17v0

Ellar added his second six minutes later. After a scrum on the right, the ball was moved into mid-field and he appeared at pace to break the Kendal defence. Wood converted 24v0.

Two minutes later, Ellar looked to be in for his third try, before a last ditch tackle by Simon Mulholland stopped him on the line. Fullback Tom Coad was in support to gather the loose ball to score, 31v0.

Chris Park had to leave the field, which saw a first team debut for Peter Baines, who went onto the right wing, with Leo Mercer going to centre, and Simon Davidson moving to outside half.

Sandal’s sixth try came from a break down the left wing by flanker Jonny Gatus. 36v0

The next try was set up by a run from wing Ellar, and finished by scrum half Newman 43v0

The half century came up with seven minutes of the first half to play. Fullback Tom Coad made a break from halfway for his second try, which Wood converted. 50v0.

The gap immediately widened when the short kick off was gathered by prop Rob Norbury, who made a powerful break, before passing to second row James Stewart. 55v0.

Kendal held out for the last five minutes of the half.

Kendal started the second half strongly, but an error saw the ball turned over and outside half Wood made a break, before passing to centre Dan McCormack to score 62v0

Centre Dave Martin added his third try a minute later, with a moved which started on the left hand side of the field, and was finished on the right. Despite improved defence Kendal could not live with the excellent support play of the Sandal backs. 69v0.

An attempted cross field kick to the Sandal wing, was fielded by replacement Kendal wing Peter Baines, but he had no option but to put the ball to touch. After all the sweeping back moves, the Sandal forwards got into the scoring with a rumble to the line from the lineout, for a try credited to hooker Jamie Heron, which Wood again converted from close to the touchline. 76v0

Prop Rob Norbury made another strong break, and again second row James Stewart was on hand to take the scoring pass for his second try. 83v0.

After good Kendal defence, Sandal No.8 Sam Whittingham spotted a gap from a ruck, and romped through for a try with Wood again putting over a difficult conversion. 90v0.

A Sandal penalty, missed touch and was gathered by replacement Kendal wing Peter Baines, he started a move from the right hand touchline, which broke down on the opposite side of the field and when the ball was turned over, outside half Woods made a break down the touchline before feeding replacement Max Whittingham. 97v0.

Kendal misery was worsened with the sending off of No.7 (James Thompson / Dan Greenwood) for punching after twenty five minutes.

The resulting penalty was put to touch, and replacement Henry Brooke, was credited with the try. 102v0.

Prop Norbury made another break, and this time he went for the line himself, but was stopped. The ball was re-cycled for centre Dan McCormack to score his second try. 107v0.

The game finished 119v0 with a brace of tries for wing Simon Frewin after breaks down the right hand touchline.

Whilst it is hard to find positives from such a heavy defeat, after some very weak tackling, resulting in early tries, there was little that the Kendal defence could do against a rampant Sandal, who could be a banana skin to Harrogate’s promotion hopes and catch Chester to gain a promotion playoff berth.

Kendal

15        Simon Mulholland  

14        Alistair Thompson

13        Jason Poleman

12        Simon Davidson

11        Leo Mercer

10        Chris Park                             [rep : Peter Baines]

9          Dini Nayo

1          Andrew Quarry

2          Duncan Green

3          Richard Harryman

4          Liam Hayton (C)

5          Reece Tomlinson                [rep : Ben Leacock]

6          James Thompson

7          Dan Greenwood

8          Garry Holmes                        [rep : Dan Boardley]

Sandal

15        Tom Coad     

14        Simon Frewin

20        Dan McCormack

12        Dave Martin

11        James Ellar

10        Greg Wood

9          Gareth Newman

1          Luke Norbury

2          Jamie Heron

3          Rob Norbury

4          Austin Thompson

22        James Stewart         

6          Jonny Gatus

7          James Briscoe

8          Sam Whittingham

22        Max Whittingham

19        Harry Brook

Referee :        Nick Ramsden (North Federation)

1st XV squad v Sandal (a)

Sat.6th April, 2003

A number of players are not available -

Jamie Postlethwaite - thumb

Dan Lowther

Alistair Livesey - international

Rob Quarry - teeth

Squad (from)

Backs

Simon Mulholland

Alistair Thompson

Jason Poleman

Simon Davidson

Leo Mercer

Chris Park

Dini Noyo

Forwards

Richard Harryman

Duncan Green

Andrew Quarry

Liam Hayton (capt)

Reece Tomlinson

James Thompson

Dan Greenwood

Garry Holmes

Replacements

Peter Baines

David Peacock

Ben Leacock

Dan Boardley

Rob Whiteman