Blackburn 24 Kendal 27

Kendal were on a high after last weeks result quickly realised this was going to be no walk in the park. Blackburn put pressure on right from the start using there big pack to great effect, and it was to be the defence of Kendal on this day that would prove the winner.
  
The ball was moved across the backs in midfield and after quick recycle was transferred to the other side and neat hands by the centres lead to Moss spurting over between the uprights. Boardley converted 7.0. Kendal's ill discipline another feature of the afternoon lead to Blackburn been allowed back into the game after a succession of penalties they crashed over for a converted try 7.7. It was a real battle up front with Warren Tilsley making good yards and Gary Holmes superb in the tackle knocking back big forwards time and again. Scrum half Potter brought about the next score putting pressure at the back of a scrum allowing Boardley to fire over the resulting penalty 10.7. Kendal were now enjoying there best spell and Blackburn were showing there metal in defence which was only unlocked by a superb angled run from Holmes releasing Mikilini to score under the posts for a converted try 17.7. Blackburn applied pressure from the restart and were rewarded with a penalty on the stroke of half time for a silly penalty given away by Kendal 17.10.
  
The second half started in the same vein with both sets of forwards battling for supremacy neither side giving in any area. Kendal were keen to move the ball wide where they had the edge and after good backs play were awarded a penalty Boardley converting 20.10. Nutter was brought on for Tilsley to add an older head in a fiercely fought game. Blackburn were now recycling ball time and again on the Kendal line and after a 12 minute spell of fierce running and determined tackling they eventually went over for a converted try 20.17. Kendal took heart from the superb defencive performance and were rewarded by a try by the ever improving Ashley after quick turn over ball and a pass inside from Bamber, Boardley converted 27.17. Rob Wooden then came on for hooker Ross who injured his shoulder having again given his all. Blackburn though were not finished and after some poor discipline again by Kendal were marched back 10 yards on 2 occasions with Blackburn again charging over from close range 27.24.Blackburn were pinned back in the final 2 minutes after intelligent kicks from Ashley and Moss with the referee eventually blowing up for time. After the game Blackburn were heard saying the difference between the sides was the excellent Kendal pressing defence.