10:34am Saturday 20th January 2007
By Dennis Aris
AFTER a fortnight's inaction caused by last week's waterlogged pitch, Kendal are looking forward to EDF intermediate Cup action, writes Dennis Aris.
They entertain Liverpool St Helens tomorrow in the inter-divisional North and Midlands round of the competition.
If Kendal can dispose of the Liverpool side from two divisions below them in the national pyramid they will be just three steps away from a Twickenham final.
"Cup rugby is an exciting diversion from league action, particularly in the later stages where there are no easy matches," said Kendal director of rugby Chris Hayton.
"Tomorrow's game is cup rugby at its best as we have drawn old adversaries Liverpool St Helens, who are unbeaten this season.
"They are currently runaway leaders of North West Two where they have amassed 445 points for with only 152 against.
"They are clearly an exciting side who can score tries, but also have a steely defence.
"Their record in the cup so far supports this as they have won away from home in all the rounds. In the last round at Rochdale they proved they could tough it out by coming from behind to win in injury time."
It all adds up to a classic confrontation between the two former National League sides - Kendal, striving to return to top-flight rugby after relegation from National League Three last season, and Liverpool, who also seeking to regain national status after a decade in the doldrums.
"But Mint Bridge is Mint Bridge and we must have the edge as Kendal supporters give the team a massive lift," says Hayton.
"In addition our players are still smarting from the defeat at Westoe and there is a keenness to make amends."
It helps that Kendal can field an almost full-strength side as top try scorer Luke Ladell has made a speedy recovery from a dislocated shoulder and his twin brother John, who has been equally influential this season, is home from holiday.
They resume duties on either wing. Hard-tackling Nick Michelini is at college and unavailable, but Chris Park moves in from the wing to fill the inside centre slot.
"The pack is improving with every game, so the future is looking good," said Hayton.
"One of the best things about the future in rugby is it comes one game at a time, and tomorrow is the game!"
Kick-off is at 2pm and Kendal's squad for this Castle Green Hotel-sponsored match is: Forwards: B. Coxon, D. Green, R. Harryman; L. Hayton, M. Capstick; G. Holmes, A.
Hudson, N. McKain.
Backs: J. Gough, M. Tuhakaraina; L. Ladell, C. Park, P. Tuhakaraina, J. Ladell; S. Mulholland.
Bench: A. Martindale, S.
Oliver, I. Ross, A. Boardley.
Beverley could be key match KENDAL'S home game with Stockport was the only match washed out last weekend and although the immediate result was to drop Kendal to sixth in the North Division One table the net result of other games tilted the rest of the season in Kendal's favour.
Caldy still look to be odds on favourites for automatic promotion and the Cheshire-based side did Kendal a favour by thumping second-placed Beverley 41-0, leaving the Yorkshire side on 20 points.
Huddersfield moved into third place on 18 points by beating another danger side Altrincham Kersal 22-0, while Westoe, also on 18, went up to fourth by beating Hull 24-7.
Kendal, with a game in hand, are on 16 points, but their points difference is such that a win when the Stockport match is rearranged could boost them to third place.
A key match in deciding who will get the crucial runners-up play-off place is likely to come in mid- February when Kendal travel to Beverley.
Kendal comfortably won the home fixture 33-14 back in September, but their away record has not been good and they will need to tighten up their act before then, particularly as the Beverley match on February 17 is preceded by a tricky local derby at Penrith on January 27.
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