Kendal Wasps were beaten 31-10 by Keswick Falcons after a dramatic game of two halves on the 3G pitch. Keswick’s pace and pressure produced five tries before half-time, but the Wasps responded with a determined second-half performance that saw them spend long periods attacking in the Falcons’ half.
The match, reported by Kendal Rugby Union Football Club on 5 October, was moved because of a time clash with the Colts. Rain also arrived for the game. Keswick had been promoted last season and now play in the league above Kendal, although they had started that campaign with a difficult away defeat at Liverpool St Helens.
Keswick take control before the break
Kendal made a poor start. While attacking near halfway, the Wasps lost possession and Keswick centre Bethan Lloyd intercepted the pass before scoring after only two minutes. Full-back Liz Ravalde converted to make it 0-7.
The Falcons added their second try 10 minutes later after Kendal lost the ball deep in Keswick territory. A run down the wing followed, with controversy over whether a Keswick player had delayed her run to obstruct Sarah Wilkinson’s attempt to recover and tackle. Referee Martin Maughn said he had seen the incident and was satisfied that the player had not altered her running line. Ravalde’s conversion made the score 0-12.
Keswick immediately extended their advantage by running the ball back from the restart for a third try. Their fourth came after 25 minutes, when scrum-half Teagan Quigley broke through on a weaving run. Ravalde converted for 0-24.
Quigley scored again just before the interval after another strong run, with Ravalde adding a conversion from a wide angle. The Falcons led 31-0 at half-time, with Quigley scoring two of their five tries and Ravalde contributing three successful conversions.
Wasps show a different side after half-time
Playing towards the road end, Kendal looked a different team after the restart. The Wasps kept possession, built several attacking moves and rarely allowed Keswick out of their half. However, the Falcons’ defence repeatedly prevented them from turning pressure into points.
After a long spell of pressure, Amber Byers opened Kendal’s account with a try following a tap penalty. Lydia Fleming’s conversion attempt from a wide angle fell just short, leaving the score 5-31.
Kendal’s second try came 20 minutes later from replacement full-back Hannah Milling, who made a positive impact after coming on. The conversion was again narrowly missed, bringing the score to 10-31.
The Wasps came close to a third try when a well-worked handling move sent a player over the line, but the ball was lost during the attempt to ground it. That was the final scoring action.
Team changes and next steps
Kendal made two changes to the starting line-up from the previous week’s opening league win against Peterlee & Horden Valkyries. Lorne Mellonie started at centre and Lydia Fleming joined the front row.
The club described the match as a useful test of both teams’ attacking and defensive skills before they continued their league campaigns. Hannah Metcalfe was named forward player of the match, while Kate Birchall received the recognition among the backs.
The published fixture information listed Kendal’s next scheduled match as an away game against Harrogate Ladies on 11 October at 14:00. A separate fixture against Leek on 10 October was listed as cancelled or postponed. The results table showed Kendal with two matches played, two defeats, a points difference of minus 23 and two points, placing them 10th in the table at the time of the report.
