Kendal Rugby Union Football Club began its return to the West league with a 57-40 defeat away to Stockport, despite producing a six-try performance that brought the visitors to within two scores during the second half.
The league campaign had started late for Kendal, and the opening assignment was a demanding one. Stockport had finished third in the West the previous season and were reported to have strengthened their squad during the summer. The match also introduced a new-look Kendal side, with several players making their first-team or club debuts.
Stockport establish early control
Stockport made the faster start, taking the lead inside two minutes. A Kendal pass from inside its own 22-metre area went to ground, allowing the home side to win an attacking lineout. Stockport moved the ball quickly from right to left, found space in the defence and scored a converted try for a 7-0 lead.
The home side maintained its tempo and added another try after nine minutes. Kendal appeared to have stopped a promising attack on the right, but Stockport recycled possession and eventually crossed the line again to move 12-0 ahead.
Kendal responded with a well-worked attack after turning the ball over near halfway. Aaron Stephens quickly kicked down the right wing for Zane Butler to chase, forcing Stockport to put the ball into touch. Kendal won the resulting lineout and shifted possession across the pitch. Ben O’Halloran looked set to score in the left corner before the defence closed him down, but he passed inside to Liam Barr, who broke through several tackles. Stephens added the conversion from near the touchline, reducing the deficit to 12-7.
Stockport restored their advantage 10 minutes later after forcing Kendal to defend a series of attacks. The hosts eventually scored from close range, with the conversion making it 19-7.
Kendal struck back again when pressure near the touchline led to a Stockport handling error and another attacking lineout. Patrick Wolstenholme took the lineout, and the ball was moved wide. Butler, who had started on the right wing, appeared in the centre and opened the defence before passing to Ben Dixon. Dixon took the ball in support and went through to score, making it 19-12.
Fast attacks keep Kendal in the contest
Stockport’s fifth try followed after good handling by their back row helped sustain another attack. Calum Owen converted to make the score 26-12, but Kendal produced one of the most effective moves of the afternoon soon afterwards.
A long Stockport kick into the Kendal dead-ball area forced Ollie Rose to make a goal-line drop-out. Rose took it quickly and kicked across the field. Barney Coxon gathered the ball and made ground before finding debutant Angus Knight deep inside his own 22. Knight accelerated away from the Stockport defence and, when finally caught, passed to Butler. Butler finished the move, with Stephens converting to bring Kendal back to 26-19.
Stockport responded with a try from a quickly taken penalty and then extended their lead again just before the interval. A kick through was not dealt with by the Kendal defence, allowing a Stockport player to score. The conversion gave the hosts a 38-19 half-time lead.
The first-half score reflected Stockport’s control and athleticism, but Kendal had shown that its attacking opportunities could produce points. Several of the visitors’ best moves began from inside their own half.
Second-half comeback falls short
Stockport again scored early after the restart. A loose Kendal box kick was gathered and returned, and the home side completed another fast attack to move 45-19 ahead.
Kendal still had an important target: one more try would secure a bonus point. After 10 minutes, Stephens kicked a penalty to touch, Kendal won the lineout and the ball was moved rapidly across the field. Butler was unmarked on the right wing. Although the pass bounced before reaching him, he gathered it and crossed for his second try of the match. Stephens converted from a wide angle, making it 45-26.
The visitors continued to attack. Another quick movement from a lineout created the opening for Dixon to score his second try, and Stephens’ conversion reduced the margin to 45-33.
Kendal then moved to within 10 points with 10 minutes remaining. Stephens kicked towards the line and Dan Shorrock chased the ball, preventing the Stockport player who collected it from making progress. Kendal’s reinforcements arrived quickly and forced a penalty. The visitors took it quickly, but the first pass missed its intended target. Matt Houghton gathered the loose ball and ran over unopposed beneath the posts, allowing Stephens to convert for 50-40.
With Kendal on top and the lead reduced to two scores, a comeback or losing bonus point appeared possible. Stockport steadied themselves, however. Kendal initially defended another attack well and forced the ball-carrier into touch, but a failed lineout allowed a Stockport player to collect possession at the back and score. Owen converted, making it 57-40. There was no further scoring.
New faces and next fixture
The match marked first-team debuts for Aaron Sullivan and Angus Knight in the front row and Toby Merrick in the second row. Butler returned to the club on the right wing, while Owen Slater and Finn Kennedy made their debuts from an expanded five-player bench. Dev Coyle also returned to first-team action.
Finn Kennedy replaced Merrick during the first half, while Coyle came on after Alfie Bradshaw was forced off with an injury. Bradshaw later returned. Dan Shorrock replaced Butler, and Isa Muschamp and Merrick came on for Barney Coxon and Dane Blenkharn, who were both carrying knocks. Slater later replaced Sullivan.
The club’s assessment was that Stockport looked highly athletic and well organised, but that Kendal’s attacking approach was a significant positive. Rather than relying on a predictable forward-based game, Kendal involved its backs more quickly. The change was considered better suited to the squad’s current resources and showed that the team could open up a strong defence.
Kendal’s next major match is scheduled to be at home to Macclesfield. The club said it hoped the side could reproduce and improve on the positive aspects of its performance in Stockport. The report did not give a confirmed date or kick-off time for that fixture.