Kendal through to cup final (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Kendal through to cup final

12:08pm Friday 11th April 2008 in Sport By Dennis Aris

EIGHTEEN minutes of devastatingly effective rugby destroyed Penrith and booked holders Kendal a Story Cumbria Cup final date with Aspatria on April 26, writes Dennis Aris.

With the sun, and strong wind at their backs, Kendal tore into the visitors from the outset of the keenly-anticipated derby match and within five minutes put the first points on the board.

Full-back Hoani Moore magnificently ran back a Penrith clearance kick, evading five tackles before being pulled down, but the ball was kept alive and fly-half Dan Stephens burst through the remaining cover on a 20-metre angled run to score near the posts.

Stephens converted his won score and almost from the restart Kendal set up another devastating attack.

Strong running and passing involving backs and forwards culminated in centre Brett Ashley, playing only his second game for the first team, drew the cover then timed his pass beautifully for flying winger Luke Ladell to crash over in the corner.

From close to the touchline Stephens' conversion attempt hit the post.

With Penrith hardly having ventured out of their own half the third try arrived in the 18th minute.

Prop Dan Bowles took a quick tap penalty and made 15 yards before feeding flanker Gary Holmes, whose similar length burst took him over near the posts to give Stephens a simple conversion for 19-0.

Then the sun disappeared to be replaced by hail and the home supporters' expectations of a cricket score also vanished as handling became more difficult.

It was five minutes from the break before Penrith mounted their first serious attack when a a darting run by centre Gavin Young produced a try-saving tackle from Kendal man of the match Moore.

Kendal stormed back and the forwards drove over the Penrith line only for scrum-half John Ladell to be held up as he tried to dive in from the back of the pack.

In the second half Kendal continued to keep the visitors pressed back in their own half, but spilled passes and desperate Penrith defence prevented any further score until the last play of the match when the home side showed their class with a sweeping display of ball handling down the left.

With right winger Matt Gracie flying across field to enter the line as an extra man, Penrith did not have the numbers to prevent Luke Ladell touching down in the corner for an unconverted try.