Rossendale 41

Kendal 35

National League Three North

KENDAL were desperately disappointed to lose out in a highly entertaining match away to Rossendale.

Despite going two tries down early on and trailing by 36-19 later on, the Black and Ambers rallied to get back to a score down and very nearly stole a win with the last play of the game.

Rossendale’s backs were full of running and they took advantage of a Kendal side who took too long to settle into the game.

Tries by fullback Harrison and winger Lothian saw Kendal trailing by 10 points halfway through the first half.

Kendal struck back with a fine converted try by Alistair Thompson to get themselves back in the contest.

Unfortunately, Kendal have been prone to conceding scores in the five minute period following a try, and Rossendale’s big prop Taylor barged over to increase the home team’s lead.

Dini Noyo, in a rare appearance at scrumhalf, scooted over for great opportunistic try to bring Kendal back into the game, only for the Black and Ambers to take their foot off the gas for the remaining 10 minutes of the half.

In this period Rossendale played some sparkling rugby and managed to score tries through Bedlow and Dennison, which meant that the home side went into the break 31-14 up and having a four try bonus point in the bank.

Despite Kendal starting the second half like a house on fire, a wayward pass was intercepted by Nutt, who extended Rossendale’s lead to 22 points.

With a heavy defeat looking on the cards for Kendal, the players tightened up their defence and kept the ball closer to their forwards. They were rewarded for this tactic with two driven tries in a 10 minute period which gave the away team the belief to push on in search of bonus points and an unlikely victory in the last 10 minutes.

A second breakaway try by fullback Harrison virtually snuffed out any chance of a Kendal win, but Noyo’s brilliant piece of skill two minutes from time guaranteed two bonus points for Kendal.

The Noyo try set up a frenetic finale to the game but Kendal were denied by some committed home defence.