Kendal 28 Preston 3rds 20

Another Lancashire side this week and again one which proved nothing can be taken for granted in this league, other than hard graft will more often than not bring you what you want. Kendal started in real derby game fashion driving the ball forward with both backs and forwards linking well. In an all action 15 mins Boardley kicked 1 penalty missed 2 and Preston were reduced to 14 for 10 mins due to persistent infringements 3.0.  Chris Park playing in the centre was a constant pain all afternoon and made several early breaks which were not capitalised on. After more pressure and a break and kick through by the energetic Wharton Kendal got there first try from a 5m scrum. Ross broke blind and fed Gillard for his first club try in the corner. Boardley converted from wide out 10.0. Kendal kept up the pressure and after forward recycled good ball a clever show and go from Boardley very Rob Burrow esk he scored under the posts and converted 17.0. Kendal were now in total control but with a rare venture from Preston into the Kendal 22 they were rewarded with a penalty 17.3. Kendal were in no mood to see a side get back into the game and were rewarded yet again when Ashley and Park combined to allow Wharton to open his legs and show his class with a try in the corner conversion missed 22.3. With that Preston sparked into life with a lineout deep in Kendal territory Preston caught and drove over the Kendal line for a converted try again like the week before on the stroke of half time 22.10. Preston restarted with real fire and determination and when a penalty hit the upright and bounced back into play a sleepy Kendal conceded a scrum to be dually pushed over for a converted try 22.17. Old stager Nutter was brought on for Kent Gimley at hooker and soon after Coulter was brought on for Airey on his return from maternal duty the experienced scrum half giving a shiney display. Now we had a stalemate like 2 sparring boxers neither giving anything but sheer hard work. both teams exchanged penalties for a 25.20 scoreline going into the final 8 minutes. Kendal though kept up the pressure and were rewarded with another Boardley penalty to go 28.20 up and more importantly more than a converted try clear. Preston were pressing though at the full time whistle, and all players new that they had been in a tough encounter in yet another game that looked so comfortable early on. Final score 28.20.