8:28pm Saturday 22nd August 2009
KENDAL bounced back from their defeat by Morpeth in their first pre-season outing last week with a six-try 39-15 victory over Rossendale at Mint Bridge on Saturday.
Although well-drilled Rossendale started strongly and opened the scoring with an unconverted try from Arno de Jager after 12 minutes, Kendal went 10-5 up when working the ball wide for wing Matt Gracie to score twice - in either corner.
However, the visitors still came back smartly to level the scores immediately from the restart to level the scores, again through de Jager, at 10-10 going into the third quarter.
Kendal forwards started to get on top and force errors and they worked a short-penalty move for a converted try claimed by Reece Tomlinson under the posts for an 18-10 advantage after Park duly converted.
Young scrum-half Will Voke sniffed out a try-scoring chance when he scooted over from the side of a ruck and Park's second successful conversion handed Kendal a 26-10 lead.
Kendal found extra momentum up front with the experienced Richard Harryman coming in and they mauled their way over for a fifth try, with Duncan Green crediteds with the touchdown also converted to extend the gap to 31-10.
Just two minutes later, the lively Park led a counter-attacking break-out of defence with a 40-yard dash and good support finished off the move as Ben Tomlinson cut insdie to finish well. Park added the extras with the kick and a score of 39-10 suggested Kendal might over-run their opponents.
But Rossendale, who showed the spirit that had featured in their play all afternoon, clawed five points back through player-coach Tim Fourie with a third try and their defence held on well to prevent any further scores again them in the closing ten minutes.
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