Eight-try spectacular (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Eight-try spectacular

9:23am Friday 30th November 2007 in Sport By Dennis Aris

EIGHT tries were run in by rampant Kendal as they destroyed Altrincham Kersal.

Undefeated in 12 matches Kendal now look like firm favourites for promotion back to National League status.

As the halfway point in the season arrives this weekend North Division One has been reduced to a two-horse race with second-placed Huddersfield narrowly defeating fourth-placed Westoe and third-placed Birkenhead Park losing to Middlesborough.

Kendal 48 - Altrincham Kersal 5...

TWO tries just before half-time and a superb three-try burst in a devastating ten minutes second half spell knocked the heart out of Altrincham Kersal, writes Dennis Aris.

In difficult weather conditions there was little to choose between unbeaten North Division One leaders Kendal and second bottom Kersal during a scrappy first 35 minutes played largely in the centre third of the pitch.

Kendal complete undefeated dozen...

Then just when another kicking exchanged seemed to be going nowhere, Kendal switched options and flanker Nick McKain drove hard at the defence. The ball was moved to right-winger John Ladell who made rapid inroads into the visitors' 22 before being pulled down. Quickly recycled ball then allowed second-row Andrew Hudson to shrug aside the cover tacklers to dive in for a try.

Despite a diagonal wind that made kicking a lottery, fly-half Dan Stephens' conversion was dead centre for 7-0.

Two minutes later a brilliant burst by inside centre Renier Bester exposed the frailty of the Kersal defence and resulted in John Ladell crashing over in the right corner to give Kendal a 12-0 half-time lead.

A good lead, but with Kendal to play into the strong wind after the break would it be enough?

The answer came just four minutes into the second half as Hudson followed up a run by hooker Duncan Green to charge in for a copycat try to his first.

At 17-0 Kendal were beginning to look comfortable, but the best was yet to come.

First a long pass out to John Ladell allowed him to use his speed to outpace the cover and score in the right corner.

Three minutes later a fine passing movement involving both backs and forwards ended with Ladell completing his hat-trick. Stephens added the conversion for 29-0.

A minute later Mark Wilson, who had again had a fine game at No.8, stormed through the centre to score his first senior try for the club. Stephens added the extras for an unassailable 36-0 lead with 23 minutes to play.

A lapse in defence in the 73rd minute allowed Kersal's replacement winger Fernandes Arario to run in an unconverted try.

A triple substitution brought on Ian Ross, Joel Howse and Dan Murray for second-row Liam Hayton, Stephens and prop Dan Bowles and refreshed Kendal immediately went back on the attack.

After forward pressure left-winger Luke Ladell scored, then two minutes late brother John rounded off Kendal's total of the eight tries, seizing a loose ball and racing though the demoralised Kersal defence to score With Stephens off the field Kiwi Hoani Moore, who had moved up from full-back to stand-off, was able to show he is also a quality kicker by landing an awkward conversion for a final score of 48-5.