Earthblog

Kendal managed to claim a losing bonus point from their second successive away game through determined play in the final minutes of their match against Harrogate.
Kendal again tried to play open flowing rugby from the off but too often play broke down giving Harrogate the chance to counter attack which the home side readily did to good effect.
Harrogate’s first try came when fullback Ed Smithies made a half break and winger, Chris Harris, up in good support scored an unconverted try.
Fullback Mark Ireland and Joe Rowntree exchanged penalties before Harrogate scored their second try. This time Smithies was the beneficiary after a break through midfield by Steve Parsons. Rowntree converted.
Ireland kicked a second penalty before Kendal made a sustained attack on the Harrogate line only to be turned over at a ruck. Harrogate spun the ball out to standoff Dickie Davies whose cross field kick was gathered by Rowntree and he released Smithies on an angled run down field, he linked with Jamie Broadley who touched down beneath the posts for what the home supporters thought was their best try of the season so far. Rowntree made no mistake with the simple conversion.
On the stroke of half-time Kendal scored from a driving maul, flanker Gary Hodgson claimed the try and Ireland added the conversion to make the scores 22-13 at the break.
Kendal laid siege to the Harrogate try line early in the second half through a series of penalty lineouts but were kept out by the determined Harrogate defence.
Midway through the second half Rowntree kicked a second penalty and this was followed by a well taken drop-goal from replacement Mike Aspinall.
Kendal’s determination and never-say-die attitude lead to a try for winger Matt Gracie after his forwards had set the platform, Ireland kicked the conversion and in injury time kicked his all important third penalty to gain the losing bonus point.