Rugby - Youngbloods step up (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Rugby - Youngbloods step up

4:06pm Monday 22nd September 2008 in Sport By Gazette Sports

Liverpool St Helens 10.

Kendal 2nds 10.

KICKING off the season after promotion to the Norwiral Bateman BMW Premier League, Kendal had a number of last season's colts having their first taste of senior rugby.

Despite Kendal dominating possession, with Graham Coulter constantly probing for openings, no scores came and LSH managed to clear their line.

Good running from centres Brett Ashley and Sam Newton put the Black and Ambers on the front foot, but some poor first-up tackling allowed the home side to score an opening try.

With promptings from old heads Ian Ross and Mike Capstick, Kendal made good ground with full back James Fitzmorris joining the line whenever possible, but a well-worked counter attack saw a further LSH score just on the stroke of half time.

After half time great defence from Jack Grizley and Brett Cooper saw turnover ball whipped out to wingman Paul Gillard, who outstripped the cover defence for a lung-bursting score, Luke Jacobs converting.

After losing an LSH prop, the game went to uncontested scrums and they conceded a penalty that Jacobs slotted home to level the scores at 10-10.

Good forward play from siblings Keil and Reece Tomlinson saw the ball over the LSH tryline but unable to be grounded.

Further excellent play from Ross and Warren Wharton resulted in a drop-goal attempt from Jacobs that drifted just wide.

A break from the LSH wing was halted with a crunching tackle from Callum Scott and a penalty attempt from an LSH infringement was missed just before the final whistle.

New skipper Liam Nicholson said "I thought we battled well but were a little ring rusty and naïve at times. We need to grasp any scoring opportunities with both hands."