James Hesketh
Matti Davenport
Shannon Morgan
Isaac Thornton
Isaac Turton
Sam Walton
Kieron Pickup
Tim Nicholson
Jordan Fern
Henry Cliffton
Hayden Mills
Dave Buchan
Jamie Antcliffe (Skipper)
Josh Mitten
Jack MacFarlane
……….
Tom Miller
Kev Bristow
Harrison Dodge
Any Kendal game will always provide a challenge especially when the opposition might be the Vale of Lune. Today was to be no different, as the Vale team arrived for what would be an early K.O. at 1.00p.m.

Having watched the Vale 2nd XV for much of the season intermingled with a number of 3rd XV fixtures the future looks encouraging. On returning to the Vale to see the 1st XV leading against what is now a good Bowdon side, “not only that”, but to see the 3rd XV leading Fylde Vandals (unbeaten to date) the day was going to be a red calendar day in the Vale season as a whole. Three victories for I think the 2nd time this season (Please correct me if I’m wrong).

To Kendal, and what a game was to take place. The Vale XV by the time Cliff Huck and myself had arrived the team had completed their warm up exercises. I’m sure manager Lee Starkey used a ploy, in that the Kendal XV were out on the park for a number of minutes before the Vale side appeared. The Kendal lads had resorted to playing “pass a ball” whilst waiting impatiently for the Vale XV to appear.

Had this taken the edge off their preparations as it was only 5 minutes into the game that the Vale side put 5 points on the board after a sweeping movement along the threequarter line allowing Josh Mitten to cross. 5 pts to Nil pts. Even at this stage the Vale pack in the set pieces were exerting some control.

The experienced front row of Matti Davenport and James Hesketh were proving a handful in the tight. They were joined today by Shannon Morgan who to date has moved from centre to 2nd Row and now battling in the front row. Wherever he might be selected he is a damned good player.

The two Isaacs – Walton and Turton - in the 2nd row were pairing up successfully and locking the scrum solidly at all times. Sam Walton, Kieron Pickup and Tim Nicholson in the back row were controlling things as the ball was set for scrum half Jordan Fern to provide clean ball from the base to his outstanding fly half Henry Clifton. There is no doubt Henry is an outstanding player and used the ball intelligently when either feeding his men outside or kicking for position to the open spaces.

Dave Buchan and Skipper Jamie Antcliffe were sealing the middle of the park, both showing great strength and no mean pace, and holding up any potential breaks from the Kendal back line.

The second try came from a move outside allowing Hayden Mills to cross wide out for a 5 pointer. Hayden of course exhibits so much pace and any breakdown allows him to move the ball into open spaces outstripping the defence of the Kendal threequarters on the day.

The Vale XV were generally in control and it really looked as though a high score might be forthcoming. Note “might” we are talking Kendal and after a mix up in the threequarters a break by Kendal allowed them to cross from deep for a 7 pointer.

This was merely a blip and the Vale side returned for a 5 pointer by Sam Walton. Henry Clifton adding the 2 points. At fullback Jack McFarlane in his first game was looking secure and at times showing real pace. He will be a great asset to the side as we move forward.

Thinking of moving forward, we will now experience a series of home games, payback for the string of away games over the past few weeks.

Half time arrived and the side gathered to set out their strategy for the 2nd half. We could hear Jordan F. vociferous to say the least, setting out the needs for the 2nd half.

There would be no relaxation from the Vale XV. Inevitably Shannon Morgan was to pick up a loose ball and with one of his meandering runs evading a number of tackles he crossed for his try close in allowing Henry Clifton to convert.

Not quite out of reach of the Kendal side, they were to cross for a breakaway try, but then Sam Walton crossed with Henry Clifton converting once again.

At this stage Manager Lee Starkey was to use his replacements necessary as Josh and Sam Walton left the field suffering knocks but blaming the surface. They were playing on Kendal’s “all weather” pitch which does tend to differ from the usual grass surface.

Harrison Dodge entered the field after missing a number of weeks due to a hamstring injury. He was immediately needed as he made a try saving tackle – What is new with Harrison ?- I thought only the one but he admitted to two later….

A win at Kendal is always enjoyable but the icing was on the cake as we returned to find that both the 1st XV and 3rd XV were leading their respective oppositions. The side now move into a series of home games and hopefully will move up the table after securing a few wins with a settled XV.

Make yourselves available lads we will move up the table in this most competitive League.

Fred Swarbrick…