Kendal emerge victorious in epic local derby with Kirkby at packed Mint Bridge

Third place Kendal hosted second place Kirkby Lonsdale for what many perceived to be the biggest game of the season - and the match did not disappoint.

Never has the phrase "a game of two halves" been more appropriate as Kirkby dominated the first 40 minutes before succumbing to Kendal's advances late on in the game, eventually losing 15-8.

Kirkby were on an eight match unbeaten run and their form showed as they settled into the game quickly, getting the better of the early exchanges.

Despite having most of the possession, Kirkby could not find a way through the Kendal defence, who were forced into conceding a string of penalties.

When the opening score came it was in bizarre circumstances.

Kirkby's stand-in scrum half, Ben Walker, shanked a kick at goal short and right.

Liam Hayton went to take a regulation catch but knocked it on and when a player in front of him played the ball, the referee awarded Kirkby a penalty for offside.

Ben Walker made no mistake this time and slotted an easier kick between the posts to make it 0-3 to the visitors.

The Hornets were forced to work hard to get hold of the ball, but kicked away possession freely, giving Kirkby plenty more attacking opportunities.

Kirkby’s dominance was finally rewarded after half an hour.

Kendal conceded another penalty for failing to release a tackled player.

It was run quickly and moved to the left for an unconverted try from Kirkby skipper Matt Hughes, taking the score to 0-8.

Worse was to follow for Kendal as Tom Voke was sent to the touchlines for ten minutes.

A tactical change proved to be the turning point in the game - Rob Wightman was replaced by Richard Harryman while Duncan Green moved to hooker and Garry Holmes shifted to the back row.

This eased the pressure on the Kendal scrum and gave James Gough and Glen Weightman a better sight of the ball.

Kirkby went in at half time eight points to the good having dominated possession and must have been confident of securing victory - but Kendal had different ideas.

Whatever Steve Whitehead said to his team at half time did the trick as they set about immediately putting Kirkby on the back foot.

After Kirkby were caught offside in midfield, Glen Weightman had the chance to open Kendal’s scoring but his kick drifted wide.

Kendal stayed on the attack, maintaining the high tempo, and Kirkby eventually buckled with 55 minutes on the clock.

The Hornets set up camp just metres from the try line but heroic defending from Kirkby kept them at bay as both sides engaged in a war of attrition.

Eventually Richard Harryman went over to take the score to 5-8.

After twenty five minutes Kendal took the lead.

The ball was spread to the right but the referee came back for a penalty at the break down, sending Kirkby's John Ladell to the touchline for ten minutes.

The penalty was taken quickly and moved to Dini Noyo on the wing.

He was unable to get over but the forwards again took control and Richard Harryman went over for his second try.

Glen Weightman hit the post which kept the score at 10-8.

The lead was quickly extended when Nathan Woof broke through the Kirkby defence, delivering a pass to Dini Noyo who squeezed over in the corner.

The unsuccessful conversion kept the score at 15-8.

With ten minutes to play, Kirkby came back and had their best period of the half but it was too little, too late and Kendal gleefully kicked the ball into touch to end the contest.

Kendal Kirkby Lonsdale

Nathan Wooff 15 C Little

Alistair Thompson 14 D Akrigg

Leo Mercer 13 T Pickthall

Bob Mataia 12 J Akrigg

Dini Noyo 11 D Bird

Glen Weightman 10 Dave Barton

James Gough 9 Ben Walker

Duncan Green 1 T Groves

Garry Holmes 2 D Armistead

Richard Harryman 3 P Kwiczor

Liam Hayton 4 R Bainbridge

Ben Leacock 5 M Hughes

Matty Houghton 6 A Robinson

Tom Voke 7 S Storey

James Thompson 8 C Galbraith

Mark Carruthers sub M Hiyland

Robbie Collinson sub M Knapton

Rob Wightman sub H Ralston