KENDAL 2s 5 v MACCLESFIELD 2s 24

This week saw a break from the league and attentions switch to the cup and a chance to gauge against premiership opposition. Macclesfield put 120 points into Kendal in 2 games last year a stat the ever improving side were determined to put to rights. Kendal started in really determined fashion and played without doubt there best 40 minutes of rugby to date.Macclesfield were a disciplined unit defending in numbers  and refusing to be sucked in allowing Kendal the overlap. Holmes was making yards time and again along with fullback Moss who was mixing things with the forwards. All the play was in Macc's half the forwards rucking as though life's were at stake the lively Nicholson defying his size to time and again push bigger opponents off the ball. Kendal though could not manage the killer finish to score Holmes held up short and for all the pressure disciplined Macc never gave away any kick-able penalties, so the half time score was 0.0.
  
 Macc started the second half with more determination and used the wind to greater effect pinning Kendal back into the corners. The back 3 of Gillard, Postlethwaite and Moss gathered alot of high balls though and ran it back with interest. Kendal though were broken by 2 converted tries within just minutes of each other. Macc got in behind the defence and kept the ball alive superbly in the wet conditions 14.0. Kendal once again got the forwards moving and second row Tomlinson made inroads with strong direct running. Ross came off to give a debut to colt Dan Boardley in the second row who along with Postlethwaite performed admirably. Macc though responded by scoring 2 more unconverted tries with there lively number 9 behind much of there swift attacking rugby 24.0. Kendal though kept on fighting until the end and were rewarded with a Gary Holmes bullocking run and finish leaving the opposing winger wondering what had just run over him. Conversion missed 24.5. Kendal were straight back on the attack hunting yet another score before the full time whistle sounded for a 24.5 final score. This was against a team sitting in 6th in the league above from which Kendal were relegated last year, showing that if promotion can be gained this year then with a young side gaining experience and confidence all the time yet another posotive season is possible.