Rugby - Roaring effort brings bonus payment (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Rugby - Roaring effort brings bonus payment

10:51am Thursday 21st April 2011 in Sport

Leicester Lions 40, Kendal 34.

JOHN Ladell took over the scrum-half jersey after Lucian Morosan failed a fitness test and with a couple of pack regulars missing too, Kendal went in hope more than expectation into the Lions' den.

An early yellow card for Dan White gave Lions an edge and scrum-half Ben Walker took advantage with a quick snipe to cross for the opening try, which Scott Morris converted.

Kendal got off the mark with a Mark Ireland penalty, but Lions' backs were in confident mood and the pacey John Boden crossed for a second try.

Once again Ireland clawed points back with a 40-metre penalty, but play was held up when scrum-half Walker suffered a serious leg injury which led to an ambulance being called on to the field of play.

Leicester were not knocked off balance, however, after after having a try disallowed for incorrectly grounding, Gerhard Bshcroff scored their second try, Morris improving for a 19-6 lead.

As Kendal remained on their heels, Boden crossed again for a converted try, stretchiing the gap at half time to 26-6.

Tw minutes after the break, Lions supplemented their gains as right winger Lee Dyment showed blistering speed to chase a kick through and score, Morris again adding the extras.

From somewhere, Kendal found the resources to start a fightback. A quickly-taken free kick by Gary Holmes released Ian Voortman on a punchy run down the middle and Ladell was in support to score under the posts, giving Ireland an easy kick.

Fly-half Ireland received a late high tackle, which brought a a yellow card for Lions' Mitchell Todd and Kendal sensed they had Lions worried.

After the visitors' forwards gained good territory, Simon Mulholland went on a jinking run and Iain Hudson made it count with the touch down, the conversion cutting the decificit to 33-20.

Lions countered quickly with a a converted try from Drew Rudkin to allay fears.

Kendal spirits were high, however, and Ladell put in a trademark incisive run through run to find Joe Mallinson ready to apply the finish with a diving effort in the corner as the impeccable Ireland made it seven more points.

Replacement Reece Tomlinson added to Lions' jitter from a penalty lineout when he touched down from the catch and drive and Ireland put over his sixth consecuctive kick.

The fourth try secured Kendal a bonus point, which became two when the referee blew the final whistle , with the visitors a converted try from victory.