Rugby - New recruit strides out for Kendal Seconds (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Rugby - New recruit strides out for Kendal Seconds

1:19pm Saturday 27th December 2008 in Sport By Gazette Sports

Kendal 2nds 23.

Stockport 2nds 3.

THE FIRST chance for anyone to see New Zealand signing Rob Aloe playing was in a second team jersey at Mint Bridge.

The Seconds fielded a somewhat star-studded team versus Stockport. Boasting both Ladell brothers, Allen Martindale, Andrew Hudson and Mike Capstick, the signs looked good to be able to sign off the year with a win.

However, poor conditions underfoot meant the prospect of releasing a mouth-watering backline soon faded in what was to be a forward battle.

Aloe was soon on the scoresheet with an early penalty in front of the posts. A stop-start game ensued as both sides tried to play rugby but the conditions never allowed it.

Kendal did move the ball down the line at speed and Postlethwaite was thwarted after a knock-on from his inside number.

Stockport drew level on 35 minutes after constant infringements from the Kendal forwards allowed Port to slot home a penalty.

As the half drew to a close Kendal finished the stronger and Steve Moss's tap and go was rewarded with Aloe converting for a 10-3 lead at the interval.

Kendal needed to cut out the penalties and raise the tempo on a heavy pitch and against heavy opposition.

Aloe's touch kicking put Kendal in good positions and the lineout started to function with Quarry and Martindale combining well. Both Ladells were solid in defence, giving Kendal a good platform.

Both sides did give plenty of turnover ball away but Kendal were the more incisive. Aloe stroked home a penalty, making it 13-3. Then after a mistake on the halfway line, Gillard handed off his opposite number and raced clear from 50 metres for an unconverted try.

Port were chasing the game and keeping the ball alive but Kendal's defence was strong. Pinning the visitors back in their own 22, Kendal won a lineout 15 metres out and Hudson claimed the try from a well-worked driving maul to extend the gap to 23-3.

That was to be the final score as Kendal saw the clock down too take the spoils in a workmanlike performance.

The result moved Kendal two places up the league to ninth place and, more importantly, 11 points clear of the drop zone.