Rugby – Last gasp try keeps Kendal on title track (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Rugby – Last gasp try keeps Kendal on title track

4:49pm Saturday 19th January 2008 in Sport By Dennis Aris

Kendal 11, Huddersfield 9.

With less than two minutes to go Kendal scored the only try of the match to keep their championship dream firmly on track and break the hearts of nearest challengers Huddersfield.

There was nothing to choose between the two hard-tackling sides for most of this top of North Division One clash, where try-scoring opportunities were few and far between, but the visitors led 9-6 on 65 minutes, with their fly-half landing three penalties to two by opposite number Dan Stephens.

Stephens also appeared to have crossed the line on the end of a thrusting run down the left wing started by centre Renier Bester and involving pop Billy Coxon and flanker Nick McKain, but the touch judge ruled that his foot had crossed line just before he dived in at the corner.

As time began to run out, the large crowd at Mint Bridge feared it signalled the end of Kendal's undefeated league season.

Stephens attempted a drop goal to salvage a draw, but the kick fell short. The tireless McKain followed up quickly, however and his pressure on the clearance kick resulted in Huddersfield full-back Rob McClaren just missing touch.

Winger Chris Park gathered, kicked over his opposite number and just won the foot race to touch down in the left corner.

Stephens missed the conversion, but with little time left, Kendal scraped home for a victory which gives them a clear four-point lead and makes them odds-on favourites for promotion to National League Three.