Rugby - Crucial Morley victory boosts Kendal's survival bid (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Rugby - Crucial Morley victory boosts Kendal's survival bid

9:59am Monday 28th March 2011 in Sport

Morley 27, Kendal 36: KENDAL made the trip across the Pennines for the most crucial game of the season to date to face fellow relegation battlers Morley at Scatcherd Lane and made it a day to remember for themselves and the large band of travelling supporters.

In an enthralling game Kendal exploded out of the blocks and Chris Park caught a downfield kick he released full back Simon Mullholland on the counter-attack.

He made excellent yardage before Gareth Gore took the ball on and quick recycling sent centre Ben Robinson charging for the tryline.

He slipped the ball to stand-off Mark Ireland, who unfortunately lost his footing. However, possession was retained for winger Dan Lowther to use all his strength and power to force his way over for the try, which Ireland duly converted in the fourth minute.

Three minutes later and Ireland had extended Kendal’s lead when he kicked the first of his five penalties when Morley were caught offside in front of their posts.

Before anyone could barely draw breath Morley flanker Sam Mullarkey was breaking through midfield from a scrum to setup the first of Morley’s four tries, he passed to left winger Karl Bradshaw, who aided by a missed tackle, raced down his wing for Mullarkey to take the return pass and score the unconverted try.

Two minutes later and Kendal were down to 14 players when Billy Coxon was yellow carded.

Morley now controlling the play superbly through their excellent back row took full advantage when No.8 and Captain Craig Field powered off a scrum and linked with his flanker Tom Moody, who burst through two tackles to score a try converted by full back Simon Bradshaw, who moments later had a penalty bounce back off an upright.

No matter, in the 22nd minute Field was galloping over for Morley’s third try which went unconverted but the home side had what looked to be a commanding 17-10 lead.

Kendal now back up to full strength showed great character, dusted themselves down and stuck at the task in hand gradually clawing their way back into what was now a captivating game.

Kendal’s composure forced Morley into a series of poor option taking and bad kicking which led to Kendal being awarded three long kickable penalties at the end of the first half.

Ireland bisected the uprights on all three occasions (he finished the game with a 100 per cent kicking record - eight out of eight) to give Kendal a slender 17-19 lead going into the second half.

The second half turned out to be just as enthralling as the first.

Moments into the half Morley were awarded a penalty when Kendal made a mess of fielding a downfield kick. Bradshaw made no mistake with his attempt at goal and regain the lead for the home side.

However, Kendal hit straight back. They quickly worked the ball downfield with centre Ian Voortman on the charge and his double miss-pass found Park lurking on his wing for him to dive in at corner for Kendal’s second try. Ireland’s brilliant touchline conversion gave Kendal the lead back at 20-26.

The intensity and ferocity of the contest was by now taking a real toll on bodies with both sides having to make substitution, but this did nothing to reduce the competitive nature and closeness of the game.

And before we knew it Morley were back in the lead through a second Moody try which was converted by Bradshaw.

Kendal dug deep and kept working the ball into Morley territory and were rewarded with their fifth penalty of the game when Morley were penalised at a ruck in their own 22.

Nine minutes from time Kendal all but secured victory when from several phases of super controlled forward driving play flanker Garry Holmes crashed over and with Ireland adding the extras: the score was now 27-36.

Morley had a late opportunity to secure a losing bonus point but Bradshaw snatched at his penalty attempt at goal.

This crucial Kendal victory was built on excellent teamwork, spirit and endeavour all which will be needed in the coming weeks as Kendal play for their National League lives.