Kendal have to pick themselves up on Saturday after only a third defeat of the season last weekend.
But bouncing back at Birkenhead Park won’t be a gimme after the 30-24 defeat at Broughton Park.
Birkenhead Park have only lost twice at home – to leaders Stockport and third-placed Manchester.
Kendal are still second, a point better off than Manchester and they also have a game in hand over their Mancunian rivals.
That comes after confirmation the five points awarded at the end of last year for the postponed game against Bowdon, had been rescinded and the game will now have to take place.
Kendal had made a dreadful start against Broughton Park and were 17-0 behind in as many minutes, after conceding three tries.
Kendal were able to reduce the arrears on 23 minutes when Steve Nelson picked up at the back of a scrum, fed Lewis Kincart before he sent Ben Dixon careering down the wing and he had the strength to make the line.
On 35 minutes Kendal closed the gap further. The forward drove from a line-out and Nelson was able to force himself clear to score in the corner.
Six minutes into the second the referee sin-binned a home player and almost immediately Kendal cashed in.
Again it was the result of a forward drive from successful line-out possession and once more it was Nelson who finished off. Chris Park’s conversion brought them level.
With half an hour left it seemed there was plenty of time for Kendal to build on their momentum and win the game.
Both teams had chances, but the hosts seemed to be able to retain possession for longer than Kendal and eventually on the hour they went back in front with a penalty.
Park continued to have the better of things and when Danny Barker was yellow-carded the home side put over another penalty.
A fourth home try five minutes from the end, which was converted, ensured the game was won.
But there was still time for Kendal to snatch two vital bonus points. Again it came from a catch and drive and this time Robbie Collinson came up with the ball. Park converted.
Have you read?
- Man jailed after knife attack left victim needing stitches
- Tributes to mother-of-three killed in A66 crash
- Man in court accused of two attempted kidnaps inside 20 minutes
- ‘Once in a lifetime’ chance to own slice of Lake District heaven for first time in 300 years for £1.2m
- Attempted cashpoint raid in north Cumbrian town
