Kendal slipped to a disappointing 28-5 home defeat to Anselmians in Regional 1 North West.
To make matters worse they lost two key players to first half injuries – Steve Nelson and Dan Sharrock – and neither was able to return.
They had started well, though, and took the lead on six minutes when the visitors were penalised for a high tackle, and Kendal took the scrum.
Nelson broke free and when he was tackled Dane Blenkharn was on hand to pick up and score.
But that was the signal for Shorrock to depart with injury and with no backs on the bench Matt Houghton replaced him on the wing.
Kendal weren’t helping themselves by a series of errors and poor decision-making which meant the visitors started to take charge.
After 20 minutes it was Nelson’s turn to depart with injury and he was replaced by Barney Coxon.
It had looked inevitable that Anselmians would score and they did so on 29 minutes.
With extended pressure in Kendal’s 22, Harrison Crowe picked from an attacking ruck and drove over the line on 29 minutes with Dai Morgan adding the conversion.
Five minutes later, after another period of sustained pressure close to the Kendal line, Nyle Davidson finished off a series of pick and go’s with the second try which was again converted.
Heavy rain during the interval added to the problems although Kendal started the second half strongly.
However it was, more of the same failings from them – mistakes and poor options – so they were unable to find a way through the Anselmians defence.
Gradually Anselmians relieved the pressure on them and in the 58th minute Ewan Nolan extended their lead when he finished off after a strong spell of pressure. Again the conversion was good.
The game was generally played in good spirits until the 69th minute when the Kendal prop Joe Anderson was given 10 minutes in the bin after a minor altercation.
The visitors were now looking for an added bonus point try and it came in added time. They forced an error in the Kendal five metre zone and from the scrum, with the last play of the game Will Grabe collected at the base and drove hard for the line. The conversion was the final act of the game.
