Director of Rugby Steve Whitehead refuses to be too downcast following Kendal's defeat to Widnes

The Black and Ambers slipped to a 36-29 defeat but the accumulation of bonus points mean the Mint Bridge side only trail their Cheshire rivals by four points in the North One West standings.

With the margin of defeat only a single score, Whitehead concedes Kendal were the architects of their own downfall in some respects although accepts Widnes deserved their victory.

“It was a mixed performance really, not many sides go to Widnes and get favourable results,” he said.

“We finished within seven points but one or two of those scores were conceded when easy tackles weren’t made and a couple of forced chances saw ball turned over and that cost us.

“And while I wouldn’t say the final score flattered us, they were the better side on the day.

“But on the other side of things I cannot be too frustrated as there is a real spirit in the camp which fights back.

“You don’t always want to be fighting back, you want to get in front but that’s where we are.

“Teams like Widnes have spent many years preparing and building whereas we are progressing having bottomed out and that’s just the way it is.”

Kendal entertain Wigton this weekend before an away trip to Wilmslow precedes the final match of the season at home to league leaders Wirral.

And Whitehead believes the difficult nature of their remaining matches is the perfect way for his charges to end the campaign.

“Our last few games are all very tough which is a good way to end,” he added. “Much of the season has been spent preparing and learning about one another and these games are a real test.

“While Wigton haven’t done too much since Christmas, Saturday is a derby game – we’ve had experience of those this year and they are dangerous.

“Teams tend to have a very strong motivation locally against Kendal which we have to fight against.

“But we’ve shown good glimpses of what we can produce and that’s gives us plenty to be positive about.”