After a poor start to their North One West clash at Wilmslow, Kendal recovered really well to snatch a thriller 36-33.
They had gone into the game without some key players – Reece Tomlinson, Hugh Davies, Chris Park, James Gough and Danny Barker so when they went 14-0 behind inside ten minutes it looked ominous.
The hosts started on the front foot and after six minutes went in front with a converted try and two minutes later were in again.
A line-out was won and when the ball was moved the centre broke through to score the second try, which again was converted.
It took some time for Kendal to adjust, both to the opposition and to the conditions but on 17 minutes they reduced the arrears with an unconverted try.
Jordan Johnson did the spadework to release Glen Weightman who forced his way over the line despite a despairing tackler in tow.
The first half was almost played out when Wilmslow had a man yellow-carded for interfering with a Kendal drive.
From the tap penalty, Weightman set up a forward drive, before Greg Wrathall broke away and went over for the second try which Weightman improved.
Despite Wilmslow having the vast majority of territory and possession, there was a feeling that Kendal had got over the worst by pulling the deficit back to two points.
Within four minutes of the resumption, Kendal were in front for the first time. It was Ben Dixon who stole the limelight with another of his speedster efforts from long range, the eye-catching scores that linger in the memory. Weightman converted.
Three minutes later, however, Wilmslow were back in front when Kendal had to admit some poor defensive work let them in for a third converted try.
But Kendal were quick to hit back as the game continued to seesaw. When Johnson took a quick tap penalty he was stopped by a home replacement prop with a high and dangerous tackle.
He earned a yellow card and from the subsequent penalty, Weightman booted Kendal back in front by a point.
Two minutes later Kendal took advantage of their man advantage after both Dixon and Weightman were stopped close to the line. The Cumbrian pack then drove over and Greg Wrathall was credited with the touchdown, improved by Weightman.
After 65 minutes Kendal looked to have sealed victory when full-back Dan Lowther came into the line at pace and raced over under the post for Weightman to convert.
But “the fat lady” was starting to gargle. Wilmslow hit back when Kendal put in a poor clearance kick and a back-row forward swooped to score a try. But for the first time, the hosts failed to convert.
Time was nearly up when Kendal forwards lost the ball and Wilmslow broke to score a converted try to make it a three-point game.
Wilmslow kept going, despite Kendal’s best efforts to run down the clock, but could not improve their situation before the final whistle.
