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Kendal gain revenge for home defeat against Preston |
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Written by Frank Jameson
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Monday, 01 March 2010 17:42 |
PRESTON GRASSHOPPERS 18 – KENDAL 25
Kendal’s derby game away at Lightfoot Green against Preston Grasshoppers never really came to life until the second half.
On a heavy pitch, which thankfully passed a morning inspection, it was Preston who had by far the better of the first half – dominating territory and gaining the lion’s share of possession without turning it to their full advantage by putting points on the board.
Preston scored the game’s first points in the fifteenth minute when Kendal were penalised for not rolling away at the tackle. Standoff Nicholas Smith made no mistake with his penalty attempt at goal. Two minutes later and Preston thought they had scored the first try of the game however the referee penalised them for a double movement and Kendal were able to relieve the pressure.
Preston despite threatening the Kendal try line on a couple of other occasions in the first half could only add a Nicholas Smith drop goal to their tally before half-time and had to settle going into the second half all level because in the last five minutes of the half fullback Mark Ireland kicked a penalty and standoff Mike Scott dropped a goal for Kendal.
Kendal came out for the second half really fired up and within two minutes had scored a try. Mike Scott kicked a penalty deep into touch and from the lineout Kendal rediscovered their catch & drive mauling abilities with prop Richard Harryman rumbling over for an unconverted score.
A brilliant piece of play from Kendal deserved a try moments later. Kendal were awarded a penalty in midfield Scott shaped to kick to touch but instead gave a little pass to scrumhalf James Gough who shot off up field, he linked neatly with prop Ian McDowell at full pelt and his inside pass was taken by flanker Nick McKain who had the try line beckoning only for play to be pulled back for a forward pass.
Nevertheless Kendal scored their second try in the fifty-fourth minute when hooker Allen Martindale benefited from excellent driving play off a penalty lineout and this time Ireland was successful with a great conversion from wide out.
Kendal by now were in full control of the game and with the forwards completely dominating the home pack Kendal forced a third try after battering away at the Preston try line for several minute’s through a series of 5-metre scrums. Eventually the ball was moved out for Mike Scott to touch down and Ireland to add the conversion.
With twelve minutes remaining and leading 25-6 Kendal then made a double substitution in the pack and the game changed on its head, Preston were also bolstered in the seventy-second minute by the return of prop Richard Morton from the sin-bin.
Preston got their hands on the ball for the first real time in the second half and made in count when hooker Richie Sands crashed over from close range to finish off a good move, the try went unconverted but four minutes later and right wing Sean Taylor was sailing in for Preston’s second try which was converted by Smith to put Preston within seven points, and a losing bonus point, of Kendal with five minutes remaining on the clock.
Kendal regrouped, controlled possession and efficiently ran the clock down to secure a good victory. |
