SLOW BURNER.

1 Mike Bradshaw Phil Sutcliffe
2 Andy Powers Bay Travel
3 Ross Pillow Available
4 Harry Fellows Carpet and Floorcare
5 Adam Foxcroft Available
6 Callum Kyle SJB Tiling Ltd
7 Jack Ayrton Allan Entwistle
8 James Robinson George Dickson
9 Billy Swarbrick The Alies
10 Ben Dorrington Jilly Beads
11 Charlie Lomas Online Systems
12 Fergus Owens Ron Higgin
13 Jonty Higgin AJB Electrical
14 Olly Jacques Duncan Hall Financial Services
15 Jordan Dorrington Martin Woodhouse
16 Steve Tagg Mathews Benjamin/ Fine and Country
17 Dan Rainford Mathews Benjamin/Fine and Country.
18 Will Hunt Mathews Benjamin/Fine and Country
After an absence of two seasons the turf war between Vale of Lune and Kendal resumed at the Cumbrians new modern surroundings, which are still situated on Shap Road, which bristled with a wealth of up to date facilities. The balcony was packed, seats were filled and the refreshment bar was doing a roaring trade, with the echoing black stand at the old ground being a distant memory.
Looking the away from a busy A6 the new complex is an imposing structure and behind the dead ball area the trees were still in full green leaf, while the rugged fells glowed in the sunshine with an early hint of Autumn tints.
However, the contest lacked the fire and brimstone of some historic encounters in days of yore and for long periods the game drifted along with most of the action being generated by a dedicated band of toddlers in the play area.
It might not go down as a classic and the DVD of the game will only be of interest to the coaches and players but the contest did conclude with the Vale collecting their first league points of the season in the shape of a losing bonus points, although after Alnwick’s victory at Wilmslow they are the only North Premier club without a victory.
Like a diligent shepherd Coach Dan Williams is lowly gathering his flock together with centre Fergus Owens returning to familiar pastures. Some including skipper Sam Wallbank, who was handed a three match ban after being sent off against Bridgnorth, and record breaking points and try scorer, Damon Hall have yet to frisk back onto the North Premier scene. The puller of levers and presser of buttons, Jack Turton, is not yet in full training after picking up a bug while on holiday.
For most of the first half the Vale struggled to gain a toe hold in Kendal’s half of the field and for long periods they had to withstand prolonged pounding from the Kendal pack, the net result being they conceded an alarming number of penalties.
Kendal’s centre Jack Blakeney-Edwards, kicked his first penalty goal in the fourth minute via an upright, the next came in the fourteenth minute followed by another as the first quarter drew to a close.
Vale defended desperately and the twenty fourth minute they fell further behind to superb Kendal try. Stand-off Glen Weightman launched an accurate cross field kick into the waiting arms of winger Myles Harrop who bounded away for a thrilling score; Jack Blakeney-Edwards added the extras.
As the half drew to a close Jack Blakeney-Edwards kicked his final penalty but a glance at the electronic score board only illuminated the task that awaited the Vale in the second forty because on the first half evidence the black and ambers had built the perfect platform for a large score in their first home game of the season.
Much to the frustration of the home supporters Kendal were unable to exploit the situation, their dominance was gradually eroded as the Vale began to gain in confidence as they sensed their opponents were going off the boil.
After a rather timid and desultory twenty minutes of the second half when the game moved into the final quarter the Vale injected some life into the proceedings when winger Charlie Lomas bolted down his flank to put the Vale on the front foot. In the sixty first minute Fergus Owens nonchantly intercepted a Kendal pass as they attempted to run the ball inside their twenty two for his try which Olly Jacques converted from in front.
This seven pointer was just reward for passages of positive rugby from the Vale having successfully pinned Kendal in their own half for long periods. Kendal reacted to the score by swarming up field to apply forward pressure but the Vale had memorised Kendal’s script and they were fully aware of where the attacks were coming from.
Olly Jacques touched down for a crisply taken try in the eighty first minute and while Kendal threw everything at the Vale in stoppage time they were halted in their tracks by some uncompromising tackling. The search for Vale’s elusive first victory continues as they adjust to the demands of playing at a higher level which tests skills, fitness and commitment to their very limits, it is not going to be an easy ride as the three opening games have starkly confirmed.
A few weeks ago Status Quo played a gig at Kendal Rugby Club and had Mint Bridge rocking to their anthems, but it not yet “Margarita Time” for the Vale but their collective glasses are poised in anticipation.