KENDAL 16 – BIRKENHEAD PARK 0

Kendal opened their North One league campaign with a victory over Birkenhead Park at Mint Bridge on Saturday.
Kendal struck the first points in the fifth minute when Birkenhead Park were penalised for being offside in midfield, standoff Dan Stephens slotted the three points. This was followed five minutes later by Kendal’s first of two tries. A deep kick into the corner put the visitors under pressure and when the left winger deliberately handled the ball into touch this turned into a penalty awarded to Kendal, from the catch and drive flanker Nick McKain was driven over the line by his pack for an unconverted try.
Birkenhead Park never really threatened to score and Kendal hampered by Park’s spoiling tactics of constantly slowing the ball down could not add to their tally before halftime.
An opportunistic drop goal kicked by scrumhalf James Gough increased Kendal’s lead four minutes into the second half.
Kendal did not break the scoring deadlock until nine minutes from fulltime. Good possession was moved across the field and a super layoff from second row Andrew Hudson to right wing John Ladell released him to race in at the corner to score Kendal’s second unconverted try.

Kendal's First Try

Kendal in full flight

Kendal's Second Try