Kendal’s opening game in Regional 1 North West saw them produce a hugely promising performance to beat Stockport 33-24 at Mint Bridge.
It was an encouraging first competitive match for new head coach Dan Bowman after losing Glen Weightman and Danny Barker to retirement while Robbie Collinson had moved on.
However Bowman was able to give debuts to three new recruits – centre Naki Saumaki, scrum half Devin Coyle, and hooker Seth Haddad, who all played well.
Kendal went ahead after ten minutes and Saumaki was involved twice, in the move after making the initial break before putting Dan Shorrock in the first try of the new campaign which Aaron Stephens converted.
Stockport started to get to grips with the game and Kendal didn’t help their cause by giving away several penalties.
It cost them in the 25th minute when Stockport used the full width of the pitch to score a try through Ben Whelan in the right-hand corner which South African Cameron Hertz converted.
Kendal hit back immediately with a fine try of their own. Saumaki, Shorrock and Dini Noyo were involved before George Philipson charged over. Stephem’s conversion attempt came back off the post.
Stockport pulled it back to 12-10 with a Hertz penalty but Kendal were able to add to their advantage before the half-time break.
There was still time for Kendal to extend their first half lead.
A goal line drop out by Stockport was gathered by Stephens who chipped over the advancing defensive line before collecting and going in for the try which he improved.
The Kendal bonus point try came five minutes into the second half and again it was young Stephens. He slalomed his way through the Stockport defence to touchdown and he also added the conversion for a healthy 26-10 lead.
Ten minutes into the half Kendal were in an even better position. Joe Anderson had a chance from close-in and he got over for Stephens to add another conversion.
Although the game was now gone Stockport stuck at it and will take positives from not allowing Kendal to score another point in the final half an hour – whilst scoring two converted tries themselves.
Scrum-half Rory Austin, took the ball on the loop from a scrum and found a huge gap to slice through and score a good individual try which Hertz converted.
Finally, after several pick and go’s, Callum Hibbs made it count with the final score, again converted by Hertz.
