Kendal head into the week’s break on the back of a hard-earned losing bonus point at Northwich.
They went down 29-24 in their Regional One North West clash but felt it was a game they should have won.
The two sides had gone into the contest level on points but with Northwich placed higher in the table through conceding fewer points.
Northwich hadn’t won a game last season but have recruited widely and have been looking more competitive this time round.
They are now fifth bottom four points ahead of Kendal, with Wirral between them – but the bottom two of Burnage and Kirkby Lonsdale look bound for the drop, even at this early stage just short of the halfway mark.
Northwich started well and scored the opening try after only six minutes when Kendal were undone by a kick to the corner.
Glen Weightman, back from injury, put Kendal’s first points on the board from a 15th minute penalty. Ten minutes later he kicked a second penalty to give his side the lead.
On the half hour mark Kendal were undone at a line-out when a clever move put the hosts in at the corner.
Northwich were conceding a number of penalties at this stage, so much so the referee issued a warning, and from one of them Weightman put over to cut the gap to 10-9.
Just before half-time Northwich paid the price for another indiscretion and had a player sent to the bin but from late pressure Kendal couldn’t get over the home line.
Northwich were given a great start to the second-half by one of their overseas recruits, full-back Entyn Martyn who went in from half-way after a mazey run. It was converted for a 17-9 home lead.
Soon after Northwich were back to a full complement, Kendal had Mark Carruthers yellow carded for an offence on the line – but without a penalty try awarded.
Kendal scored next though through Ben Dixon who ripped the ball in a tackle and had the speed to get away and score.
Unfortunately Kendal conceded the next score when good recycling of the ball by Northwich, ended with their forwards driving over for a converted try.
Another Northwich try after twenty five minutes carried the home side into a clear lead but it did spark a rousing Kendal finish.
Northwich had a man yellow-carded after another rush of penalties yellow card was issued. And from one of them the forwards drove over for a try, with Joe Lashley claiming the touchdown.
Then at the death the visitors managed to work the ball wide to Dixon. Despite little room and a number of defenders ahead of him, he still managed to weave his way through and outpace them to the line to confirm a losing bonus point.
