11:30am Saturday 29th November 2008
By Gazette Sports
A COLLECTIVE sigh of relief at the final whistle was the overwhelming feeling after last Saturday's narrow National Trophy success at Morpeth - for players and spectators alike, says Kendal’s Director of Rugby Chris Hayton.
Although we established a 22-0 lead before half time, we got a mauling afterwards and Morpeth could justifiably say they won the second half without any doubt.
That's cup rugby for you. League ranking and form can mean little, but we've come through with the win and the reward is a pre-Christmas trip to Blackheath in London, which will involve an overnight stay.
We've won in the Capital in the National League and the cup before - there were defeats of Richmond and Rosslyn Park, for whom England's Nick Easter was playing!
Cup rugby makes interesting publicity for the club and raises our profile. It brings the chance to play different sides and test ourselves against higher-placed opposition. There's extra interest for everybody and it adds something to a season if you get a good run.
So it would be sad to see a national competition disappear as looks mooted under the new restructuring plans.
We're back on the league trail this Saturday with the visit of Macclesfield. It sees the return of the itinerant Geoff Wappett (used to be with Hull and Bradford and Bingley).
From Appleby, Geoff is well known at the club and will no doubt be sat in the dugout, pipe in hand, marshalling his troops.
Their form is similar to ours - they scraped through in the cup 17-13 against Chinnor - and Saturday's game should be a scorcher to watch between two very closely-matched sides.
They have a big pack and in skipper and No. 10 Ross Winney they have a very astute kicker. Field position and possession will be important but we are able to name a full-strength squad for what should be an intriguing clash.
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