Kendal Colts returned to league action at Mint Bridge with an excellent 32-5 win over Sedgley Park.
They were fresh from National Cup exploits for this crucial home fixture against their third-placed visitors.
With top spot in the preliminary league within reach, the stakes were high.
Sedgley arrived with a full squad of 23 and a noticeably larger forward pack, posing a physical challenge for the home side.
Kendal, meanwhile, were forced into changes with Kurt Cousins (knee) and Liam Barr (concussion) unavailable.
From the outset, Kendal set the tone with aggressive intent, dominating territory in the opening 10 minutes.
Sedgley’s full-back was frequently called upon to relieve pressure with tactical kicking, but Kendal’s relentless attacking suggested it was a matter of when, not if, the scoreboard would start ticking.
Despite two early penalty attempts, Kendal’s kickers were unusually off target. However, the home side’s scrum held firm against the heavier opposition, with Jack Johnson-Murphy delivering arguably his best performance of the season — carrying with conviction and defending with grit.
He won a penalty which provided the breakthrough score.
A line-out deep in Sedgley territory set up a pre-planned move, and Isa Muschamp powered over from close range for an unconverted try.
The re-start was a disaster for Sedgley. AlexSmith and John Swallow returned the kick with pace and precision, setting up a slick backline move.
A pinpoint cross-field kick from Luke Cuthbertson found Jake Bowman in space, who finished superbly and added the extras to extend the lead to 12-0.
However, Kendal were caught napping at the next re-start. Sedgley capitalised with a scrum and exploited some poor defending, allowing their centre to score in the corner and it was game on again.
Kendal responded swiftly. A sharp attacking move saw Caleb Airey dive over in the corner, restoring the 12-point cushion.
The final minutes of the half saw Kendal pressing for more, but Sedgley’s defence held firm.
The second half evolved into a battle of the packs. Seven minutes in, play was halted after Roan Saunders suffered a serious injury and was stretchered off to a waiting ambulance. Thankfully, he was released from hospital later that evening.
After the re-start, both sides struggled to regain rhythm. Bowman wisely opted for a penalty goal to make it 20-5, settling the nerves.
A poor Sedgley exit then gifted possession to Cuthbertson, who linked up with Bowman down the touchline.
Just before being forced out, Bowman offloaded back to Cuthbertson, who finished the move with an unconverted try.
With the game in their hands Kendal shifted into game management mode. Sedgley, wary of a heavy defeat, tightened their defence, but the Kendal pack — led superbly by Johnson-Murphy — remained dominant.
A late Sedgley line-out misfired, and their fly-half was met with a thunderous tackle from Cuthbertson.
The ball spilled loose, and Seth Webster reacted quickest to score and seal a comprehensive victory.
