Preston Grasshoppers 3rds 15 Kendal 2nds18

yet another derby day fixture was thrown up in the Miller Homes League,perhaps a fitting end to the Christmas period. These 2 teams had already met at Mint Bridge with Kendal running out winners in a close and abrasive affair. This game was to be no different as the opening encounters showed. Hoppers pinned Kendal back early but the defence held firm and hoppers only reward was a penalty 3.0. Kendal had a make shift 3/4 partnership of flankers Nutter and Ross at 9&10 and second row Archer at fullback.Kendal were rewarded with a penalty in front of the posts which Archer duly obliged by coolly slotting the 3 points 3.3.

It was a real forward battle of which Kendal would be the first to come out on top. A line out close to the Hoppers line allowed Rob Quarry to set up the driving maul and his brother Andy to score an unconverted try 8.3. Kendal were now growing in confidence and with centres Ashley and Moss solid in the centre Hoppers were short of ideas. A lovely passage of play saw the forwards keep the ball alive and when Cartmel was just short recycled ball was moved to wing Bamber who jinked in side and was harshly adjudged to have been held up over the line. More good forward pressure saw Hoppers penalised and Archer stroke home between the sticks 11.3.

Hoppers though bounced back and again took the ball forward with there big forwards before sucking Kendal in and then spurting over in the Corner with the last play of the half 11.8. The second half saw Hoppers turn the screw and really pressure Kendal who struggled to get out of there half. Postlethwaite was brought on for Bamber.Though between the forwards every inch gained was keenly fought with Howse and Nicholson along with the energetic Wharton putting in tackle after tackle. Quarry and Tilsley were carrying plenty of ball but the Hoppers defence was standing firm. Hoppers missed an easy penalty in front of the posts to level things after Kendal were penalised for holding on. Archer was given 10 minutes in the  sin bin for punching giving Hoppers the advantage. Which they used a poor kick across field saw Hoppers quickly move ball for a converted try and a 15.11 scoreline with 4 minutes to go. Kendal got into the opposition 22 and after concerted pressure gained a lineout from the penalty  and with a carbon copy of the first score crossed the line thanks to Joel Howse Archer converting and Kendal playing out the final 2 minutes under pressure for a hard fought 18.15 victory.