Both Kendal and Aspatria were able to field large squads for their pre-season friendly at Bower Park.
In complete contrast to the previous Saturday when Aspatria visited Tarleton in baking sunshine the game was played in torrential rain with a stiff breeze adding its own challenges to handling difficulties.
The number of players available inevitably led to regular interchanges of onfield personnel and some disruption in the fluency of the game, but overall it was a contest that will have been of great benefit to both teams and their coaches.
The game was a hard, physical dual with little to choose between the teams over the full 80 minutes.
Set piece possession was evenly distributed. At times both teams came under pressure and faced some defensive challenges.
Kendal might have achieved more reward by respecting the conditions and keeping the ball tight. Several times attacking situations came to an unforced ending as the ball went across the back division.
Kendal’s rolling maul tactics looked dangerous and this paid off with the only try of the first half going to Steve Nelson.
Aspatria attacks were only a little less frequent that those launched by the visitors but when the back division came into possession there was always a threat and Kendal certainly had to be alert to the danger.
This was good news for those who watch Aspatria regularly as they will have noted that this solid attacking intent was achieved without the services of several first teamers who should be available when the league action starts.
The home pack had more of a regulation look and competed well, perhaps even a claim to having the edge on the opposition.
Aspatria were able to increase their scoring threat in the second half and came close to crossing the line on a couple of occasions. The balance of play began to change in favour of the home side as both sets of coaches began to intentionally disrupt on-field fluency to give all players some meaningful game time.
Aspatria appeared to cope better with changes and it was just reward when they finally crossed for a try from the Phil Dixon off the final move of the game.
One try each does not shout out entertainment but acknowledging the playing conditions this was rugby of a high standard and a fair outcome.
In league rugby the challenges just keep coming but overall Aspatria must be pleased with how the squad is shaping up.
All the long-term injuries that adversely impacted last season are history and there will be a real fight at Bower Park for starting places in the team.
