Kendal Rugby Union Football Club were beaten 35-29 by Macclesfield in a dramatic league contest at Mint Bridge, despite turning a 28-15 half-time deficit into a one-point lead late in the match.
The fixture was Kendal’s first league game at home for six months. The club’s report said the return to Mint Bridge brought plenty of encouragement from a young, new-look squad, even though early errors and a late Macclesfield response denied the hosts a first league victory.
Macclesfield, who had won the league three seasons earlier, arrived with a reshaped team after a difficult spell in National League Two South and a subsequent return north. The visitors had finished third the previous season and had also won against newcomers Dronfield the weekend before their trip to Kendal.
It was the 15th meeting between the sides since their first match in 2003. The previous results favoured Macclesfield, who had lost only once and drawn once against Kendal.
Macclesfield exploit Kendal mistakes
The opening exchanges were even, but Macclesfield took the lead after five minutes. Kendal had won a lineout in the visitors’ half and moved the ball wide when Macclesfield captain and centre Harry Blackwell anticipated a pass, intercepted it and ran in for the opening try. Right wing Thomas Jennings converted for a 7-0 lead.
Macclesfield scored again five minutes later. A Kendal knock-on gave the visitors a scrum, and after Kendal were penalised, Macclesfield kicked to touch, won the lineout and worked the ball forward. Several attacking opportunities were missed before wing Tomas Jennings eventually crossed, converting his own try to make it 14-0.
Kendal were punished again after a slow return to the restart. Ollie Rose’s kick was charged down and Macclesfield left wing Billy Birkett went through to score, with Thomas Jennings adding the conversion. The visitors had opened a 21-0 advantage.
Kendal finally responded after Macclesfield handling errors gave the home side a scrum. The report said the visitors expected a number-eight pick-up but did not account for Patrick Wolstenholme’s pace, as he crossed almost unopposed.
The hosts appeared to have scored again when Ben O’Halloran powered over, but the referee ruled that he had lost the ball when tackled over the line. Kendal’s next try did count. Macclesfield conceded a series of penalties for high tackles, Aaron Stephens kicked to touch and the Kendal pack drove towards the line before moving the ball to left wing Liam Barr, who scored.
Stephens’ conversion attempt struck the post. Kendal then took advantage of a yellow card for Macclesfield back-row player Philip Laing, who was dismissed after another high tackle. Following a lineout, Ollie Rose sent a long flat pass to Alfie Bradshaw, who crossed under the posts. The conversion was missed, leaving Kendal 15-21 behind in the match narrative, before the interval score was recorded as 15-28.
Kendal seize the lead after the break
Kendal made changes before half-time, with Joe Anderson and Dylan Douglas replacing Finn Kennedy and Toby Merrick. The hosts dominated the early exchanges after the restart but failed to convert several chances, with misplaced passes, knock-ons and strong Macclesfield tackles preventing further scores.
A deliberate knock-on by Macclesfield fullback Daniel Leake brought a yellow card. The referee decided the offence had not prevented a try and did not award a penalty try. Kendal won the resulting lineout, however, and the pack drove towards the line. Hooker Angus Knight was credited with the try, which Aaron Stephens converted to reduce the deficit to 22-28.
Kendal continued to press and moved ahead with ten minutes remaining. Macclesfield conceded another penalty, Kendal kicked to touch and won the lineout. After another infringement at the next set-piece, the home pack again drove for the line, with Knight scoring his second try of the afternoon. Stephens converted to put Kendal 29-28 in front.
The lead lasted only briefly. Macclesfield returned to the Kendal half and kicked towards the line. The ball was mis-fielded and had to be touched down, giving the visitors a scrum close to the line. Macclesfield chose another scrum rather than attempt a penalty kick, and number eight Joseph Bunting crossed. Replacement William Davies converted, restoring a 35-29 advantage.
Kendal chased a match-winning try during the closing minutes. Several players broke through but were caught before they could release the ball. In added time, Knight made a break down the left wing into the Macclesfield 22, but a following Kendal player conceded a penalty. The kick was put to touch, the lineout was won and the ball was then put into touch again to end the match.
Club looks to next fixtures
The club described the result as disappointing, arguing that Kendal could have won convincingly without the errors that allowed Macclesfield to build its early lead. The report nevertheless said the performance was a considerable improvement on the previous season as the new squad continues to develop.
It specifically highlighted Knight and Finn Kennedy as excellent additions alongside young players who had progressed through the Colts. Kendal’s published table placed the first team 10th after two defeats, with 13 points. Macclesfield were fourth after two wins, while Anselmians led ahead of Stockport and Wirral.
Kendal’s second XV supplied a more emphatic result on the same day, winning 87-0 away at Birkenhead Park. Dan Shorrock scored five tries, while Connor Lees and Daf Philp scored twice each. Mckenzie Cousins added 11 conversions.
The first team were due to return to Mint Bridge the following weekend for the rearranged league match against Leek. The club also announced two Sunday cup fixtures at the ground, both scheduled for 2pm: the Wasps against Keswick and the senior Colts against Littlebrough.
The Wasps were going into their match after a 20-15 win over Peterlee and Horden Valkyries. Keswick had lost 48-12 away to Liverpool St Helens in their first Championship North 2 fixture, although Keswick had beaten the Wasps in a pre-season match.
In the Cumbria Cup, Kendal had also been drawn away to Hawcoat Park in Barrow in the semi-final, scheduled for 30 January subject to possible league postponements caused by weather. The report said the winner would meet the winner of Penrith against Aspatria or Wigton in the final.