Unforced errors and ill-discipline were an unfortunate double act for Kendal as they went down 37-17 at Wirral.
They might have sensed it was going to be a tough afternoon when they failed to gather the kick-off and soon afterwards some really poor tackling allowed the hosts in for the first try.
Kendal responded well initially with young Barney Coxon showing-up well and forcing two penalties from the opposition.
However it was Wirral who scored again after 20 minutes when their forwards gained ground before a kick to the corner was followed-up by a winger to grab an unconverted try.
That again brought a good response from Kendal and when Ignacio Cisint made a purposeful break it was continued by Lewis Kincart and eventually he got the ball to Danny Barker for the try.
Wirral were then forced into conceding a string of penalties, so much so that there was a feeling the referee should have taken sterner action.
It stayed at 15 versus 15 and just before half-time Kendal drew level at 12-12.
Kincart took a quick tap penalty quickly, and Steven Nelson needed no second invitation to charge for the line and score. Glen Weightman added the conversion.
But Kendal didn’t go into the half-time break all square. At a scrum inside their own 22 a box kick went straight to a Wirral player who set-up a simple opportunity for the home winger to score his second try.
Trailing 17-12 at the break Kendal were still very much in the contest but seven minutes after the resumption they had Joe Lashley yellow-carded.
But despite the handicap it was Kendal who scored next to level the scores.
Barker made good ground before Alistair Thompson carried the move further and Dini Noyo finished off with the score.
Wirral regained the lead on the hour from a penalty – and this time Kendal weren’t able to get back on terms.
The lead was extended five minutes later the home full-back got in for a try which was converted.
Play was stopped for an injury to Reece Tomlinson before he was forced to retire and five minutes from time both teams were reduced to fourteen men after a dust-up between the rival full-backs.
A minute later Kendal had Joe Anderson yellow carded for back-chat so finished with 13 men and from the resultant penalty Wirral drove over for a try.
From the last play of the game Wirral added to Kendal’s late woes by going in for another try.
