10:15am Friday 12th January 2007
By Dennis Aris
ALL hopes of starting 2007 with a push for promotion faded for Kendal as they floundered at fortress Westoe on Saturday.
The North East-based side have built an enviable unbeaten home record over the last two and a half seasons and as Kendal played up the steep slope, which is a feature of the ground, in the first half, they began to realise why the South Shields-based side will be a tough nut for any North Division One team to crack on their home soil.
Kendal trailed to a penalty kicked by right wing Paul Hegan in the 11th minute, but levelled the scores five minutes later when a rare attack in the Westoe 22 led to a penalty kicked by Patrick Tuhakaraina.
The Kendal forwards then dug in as they disrupted the Westoe scrum, pinched half-a-dozen Westoe lineouts and held firm to ensure that their try line was not breached, a task in which they were strongly aided by the magnificent tackling and defensive work of centre Nick Michelini who continued his efforts throughout the game.
A second Hegan penalty midway through the first half gave Westoe a slender lead as the game approached half time. Then an unfortunate an error of judgement in defence gave Westoe a lineout five metres from the Kendal tryline and the home side made no mistake with the catch-and-drive to trundle over for a try converted from wide out by Hegan for a 13-3 half-time lead.
Despite conceding the late score, Kendal were confident that they could overcome the ten point deficit if they continued to show the same application and commitment, and also take full advantage of the slope.
Unfortunately they failed to effectively use the slope and Westoe looked all fired up and determined to secure the win.
After Kendal turned the ball over in midfield early in the half they did not see it again for the next 20 minutes as Westoe laid siege to the visitors' try line.
A string of missed penalty attempts at goal kept Kendal in the game until the 76th minute when the Westoe flanker crashed over for an unconverted try.
Hegan secured victory for the home team with his third penalty at goal in injury time, leaving Kendal disappointed that they could not build on their performance of the first 35 minutes.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/trade_directory/