Kendal U15s  vs. Carlisle  U15s

Sunday 11/11/07

 

So far the toughest challenge this season for the Kendal u15s.
The last time these two teams met it had been very much a learning curve for the newly formed young Kendal team…so the lads were hoping for a good performance
Against Carlisle to see how far they had come in working as a team.
And they did not disappoint. The first half was a tough fort game both teams showing great defence and making it hard  for either to break there lines.
Both sets of forwards being quick to the breakdown and fast clean ball coming from them
And a couple of times kicks from the No 15 Dan Lowther and No 9 Gavin Dent deep into the Carlisle half caused the Carlisle backs some problems and made them work hard getting back
Carlisle realising the Kendal team had come on a fare bit since the last meeting made 3 subs in the first half to strengthen the backs. It was only in the last 5 minutes of the first half that Carlisle pushed Kendal right back to the 22 and from there sending the ball out wide got the over lap and no15 Callum Thirlbeck scored a try. Shortly after the conversion was missed the half time whistle blew. 
 At this point Kendal heads could have gone down but that was not the case and at the start of second half the lads came out strong and we knew we were in for a  close second half.
10 minutes into the half Carlisle drove down the left side  and with some nice handling passed on to No 1 Alex Niel who ran in a try under the post then No 12 Mathew Minnet made the conversion. After a few sharp angle runs down the right side. Testing the Carlisle defence Kendal centre No13 Mathew Wilson broke threw and made a 40 metre run and scored a great try to put Kendal on the score board .The conversion missed the game carried on pretty much a dead lock both not wanting to give a yard.
But as the last dying seconds of the game came Kendal made a final push down the wing and again the forwards securing the ball and fast release by the scrum half gave no6 Blake Robinson an overlap and a clear run to the line and with the score an conversion would have brought it to a draw…but his laces had other plans for the outcome of the game and meeting up with his other boot they stopped him a little short of the line.
The final whistle blew  Kendal 5  Carlisle 12  .
A great match and set of performances from both sides. This should make both teams very proud.

Man of the match for Kendal: Blake Robinson for some outstanding flanking.

DG