Kendal Rugby Union Football Club opened its competitive season by reaching the Cumbria Cup semi-finals with a 36-17 win over Keswick, but the final margin concealed a much tighter contest than the scoreline suggests.
The match, reported by Kendal RFC on 7 September, was a repeat of the previous season’s Cumbria Cup final. Kendal had won that final against Keswick in April and began this campaign seeking to retain the trophy, but did so with a substantially different starting side. Ben Dixon, Dan Shorrock and Aaron Stephens were the only backs who had started the final, while Joe Anderson and Patrick Wolstenholme were the returning forwards. Four of the five replacements involved in the final were also included.
Light showers had fallen during the morning, although the match itself was played in warm sunshine. Keswick started towards the car-park end and the early exchanges were even, with both teams able to spend periods attacking.
Keswick make the better start
The first score did not arrive until the 18th minute. Kendal were penalised twice for offside while defending close to their own line before Keswick eventually crossed. The report noted a possible double movement as the player stretched to ground the ball, but said the referee was in position and allowed the try. The conversion from wide on the left hit the post, leaving Keswick 5-0 ahead.
Kendal responded five minutes later. Stephens put a penalty close to the line, giving the pack an opportunity after an earlier lineout had not been straight. This time Kendal secured the throw and drove towards the line, with second row Toby Merrick credited with the try. Stephens converted to put Kendal in front at 7-5.
That lead was not maintained easily. Anderson went off after 25 minutes, leaving Kendal with a lightweight pack. Keswick began to win a series of scrum penalties, while Kendal also experienced problems at the lineout and Keswick were able to secure their own possession reliably.
Keswick continued to play positively and regained the lead shortly after the half-hour mark. A forward broke through after several effective offloads out of tackles had kept the attack alive, despite Kendal appearing to have cleared the danger. The conversion made it 12-7.
Stephens reduced the deficit with a penalty just before half-time. Kendal might have gone into the interval ahead, but a promising forward break was ended by a poor pass intended for Shorrock. The score at the break was 12-10 to Keswick.
Kendal draw level after quick Keswick score
Keswick extended their advantage only three minutes into the second half. Kendal lost a lineout on the left, the ball was moved across the field and Shorrock was left defending against several Keswick players. The left wing went through to score, making it 17-10.
Five minutes later Kendal were level. Keswick knocked on in midfield, and following a break in play while several players received treatment, Wolstenholme picked up quickly. He made a long run towards the 22-metre line, but instead of attempting to finish the move himself, timed a pass to Zane Butler, who scored. Stephens converted from a wide angle to make it 17-17.
Kendal still had to withstand further pressure. A long kick through was gathered by recent recruit Chris Rochelle, who had joined from Sunderland and was playing at full-back, with Ollie Rose having moved to scrum-half. Rochelle attempted a long pass to Shorrock, who tried to take it one-handed and failed. Keswick appeared set to drive a scrum over the line, but chose a quick pick-up instead. Kendal held them out, although conceded another penalty. At the next scrum, Kendal stole the ball and Rose cleared.
Late tries settle the cup tie
Kendal took the lead after 23 minutes of the second half. Rochelle began the move with a long counter-attacking run from deep inside his own half. He was stopped close to the line after appearing to try to beat one defender too many, but Kendal recycled possession quickly and replacement Finn Kennedy crashed over. Stephens converted for a 24-17 advantage.
The next Kendal try came after a disputed passage in the build-up. Dixon made a good break down the left wing, although the club report said his pass appeared to go forward and then seemed to be knocked on. The referee allowed play to continue, and a further knock-on eventually ended the attack. From the resulting scrum, Dixon anticipated a clearance kick, charged it down, gathered the ball and scored. The conversion was not recorded for that try, leaving Kendal 29-17 ahead.
Keswick continued to threaten, but Kendal added a final score with the last action of the game. Keswick turned over possession near halfway and moved the ball wide. Butler had anticipated the play and intercepted, although he was caught before he could complete the break. Dixon took the pass and went under the posts, and Rose converted to complete a 36-17 victory.
The club judged the performance below the standard of the previous weekend’s win over North Ribblesdale, but said the defence had done well to hold firm. It singled out Butler as a useful recruit and praised Stephens and Wolstenholme for continuing their good form from the previous season, while also highlighting another strong display from Dixon. Kendal also expects players who were unavailable for the cup tie to return.
Blackburn fixture next at Mint Bridge
Kendal’s next fixture is a non-League match at Mint Bridge against Blackburn, one of the club’s league opponents. The fixture replaces the previously expected trip to Rochdale, which has been moved to the weekend before Christmas.
The Blackburn match was originally scheduled for a 2pm kick-off but has since been changed to 2.30pm. The club advised supporters to continue checking for any further alteration.
The league campaign was expected to begin in three weeks at the time of the report. Kendal’s cup progress keeps the holders’ defence alive, but the club acknowledged that improvements will be needed before the league season starts.