Kendal beat Kirkby Lonsdale 24-7 to reach the semi-final of the County Cup – but it was a struggle.
There are now two levels between them yet it is ten years since they met in a memorable last day promotion decider which the Mint Bridge side won.
The last three years have been disastrous for Kirkby Lonsdale and they currently stand third in Counties 1 Cumbria.
But on this occasion, against a strong Kendal side, they deserved a lot of praise proving plucky and determined opponents to the home side.
A very strong wind blew across the pitch and was in Kendal’s favour for the first half which started with Kirkby’s kick-off blowing behind the kicker.
From early pressure a second line-out provided Kendal with the opportunity to drive for the line but several efforts were held up short.
Eventually scrum-half Jordan Johnson darted through a convenient gap to score under the posts and Evan Moir converted.
It looked like being a long night for Kirkby as that opening try had come after only three minutes.
But that isn’t how it played out as Kirkby came back strongly through their forwards who started to dominate the home eight.
After 15 minutes they were rewarded by drawing level. A quick tap penalty wrong-footed the home side, who had defended well to that point, and they went in for a try which was converted.
Five minutes later they only had 14 opponents on the field as Kendal’s Moir was yellow-carded for repeatedly being caught offside.
Despite the handicap Kendal were next to score, profiting from a handling error.
Johnny Swallow picked-up the loose ball and found Barney Coxon on the charge, who handed on to ex-Kirkby player Alfie Bradshaw who completed the move with a try. In Moir’s absence Aaron Stephens added the conversion.
Moir was still an absentee when Kendal scored their third try when Leo Mercer showed strength and speed on the touchline to get over but the try went unconverted.
There were no more scores in the first-half, with Kendal restored to a full complement but the feeling in the home camp at the break was would 12 points be enough?
It was Kirkby’s turn with the wind, which was augmented by driving rain and they set off as expected with renewed vigour.
Initially Kendal were forced back into their own half but then the visitors started to concede penalties they were unable to profit from their territorial advantage.
It stayed at 19-7 all the way through until the 77th minute when from a line-out the home pack reached the Kirkby line and Robbie Kincart was credited with the touchdown which went unconverted.
Kirkby probably deserved another try as consolation in the closing stages but the Kendal defence held-out strongly.
Those sort of conditions were a great leveller, of course, but Kirkby came out of the game with a lot of credit while Kendal handled the test well to make progress in the competition.
They now join holders Penrith, Upper Eden and Keswick in the semi-final.
