KENDAL ensured they remained firmly in title contention on Saturday as they stormed to a 33-7 victory over Altrincham Kersal.

The first try was scored early on by Jack Lashley followed by Mark Carruthers just moments later to establish a comfortable 18-0 lead at half time.

After the break, Matty Houghton scored the next try and Carruthers touched down for the bonus point before Altrincham scored a consolation try via Jack Snoddy.

Kendal now sit in third place in North One West just two points adrift of league leaders Wilmslow, who they take on in two weeks time, and only a point behind their derby rivals Kirkby Lonsdale.

It took just three minutes for the Hornets to make their mark as Matty Houghton dashed down the left wing and passed inside to Lashley who scored the first try but Chris Park missed the conversion.

After twelve minutes Kendal were on the rampage again on the opposite wing after some fine passing from left to right saw Carruthers dash over in the corner that was followed by a neat conversion from near touch by full back Park.

There were no more tries before the interval and just ten minutes into the second half Chris Downham had to be replaced by James Thompson after limping off with an injury.

Ben Leacock followed Thompson off the bench before Houghton scored the next try in the left corner to make it 21-0.

The final try for Kendal was the best of the game as the Cheshire side were ripped to pieces with some stunning handling from Carruthers who crossed the line for his second of the game.

The Cumbrian men then backed off a bit as Altrincham came back into the game.

Snoddy came into attack and gave a fine dummy to draw in a Kendal back and score before skipper Chris Yates converted.

Team: Glenn Chesher, Garry Holmes, Jack Lashley, Phil Murphy, Liam Hayton, Jack Morphet, Josh Chaplow, Chris Downham, Dini Noyo, Glenn Weightman, Matty Houghton, Damian Armstrong, Zane Butler, Mark Carruthers, Chris Park.

Bench: James Thompson, Ben Leacock, Dan Boardley