With a number of players unavailable following last weekend’s hard-earned victory against Carlisle Panthers, Kendal came up short in their National Founders Cup clash at Wirral.

The Warriors started brightly as an early shot from Kon Arfanis was followed by a number of baskets from Matt Basedow, who was enjoying success on the fast break.

With the scores locked at 22-22 at the end of the first quarter, Kevin Mason and Tom Withnell both added regularly to the Kendal score.

The Rockets still found a regular route the basket, particularly from missed shots which Kendal were failing to rebound allowing Wirral easy put backs.

Wirral led 43-39 at the halfway stage although the Warriors turned the tide and produced a dominant third quarter – Kevin Mason proving a handful and scoring ten points.

Keith McInnes was now rebounding superbly and linking well with Mason on offence, with Kendal moving into a well-deserved 66-55 lead.

However, Kendal were unable to maintain this power in the fourth quarter as a series of turn-overs and missed lay-ups allowed Wirral to reassert themselves in the game.

And although Kendal continued to create opportunities to make the game safe, the away side failed to take their chances as the Rockets secured a narrow five-point win.

Scorers
K Mason 18, M Basedow 15, T Withnell 7, K Arfanis 4, K McInnes 4