Rugby - After job well done, Kendal coach steps down (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Rugby - After job well done, Kendal coach steps down

10:41am Thursday 19th May 2011 in Sport

KENDAL head coach Jon Nicholson is stepping down from after five seasons he has told the Mint Bridge club.

Nicholson successfully steered the side to National League 2 North survival this season after a wayward start to the cmapaign with a rebuilt side.

The forwards will be coached by ex-Kendal packmen Ian Thompson and Mark Bowman, who had rejuvenated his playing career at No8 until injury intervened.

Meanwhile, Ian Voortman is hoping to concentrate more on his role as backs coach but will make himsel f avaialble for selection if required.

There are more changes, too, on the playing-froint with skipper Gareth Gore deciding to leave the club, while John Ladell is also moving on after honorable service in the jersey.

Nicholson told the Gazette: “I’ve been privileged to be involved closely with one of the best rugby clubs in the land for the last 28 years, firstly as a player the last nine in a coaching capacity.

“Best in my opinion because whilst Kendal strives constantly to play at the highest level it possibly can on the National stage, it still embraces traditional aspects of the game and nurtures the best qualities in young people such as honesty, courage, commitment and teamwork.

“In return the club provides enjoyment, lifelong memories, camaraderie and in many cases friends for life.

“The supporters’ have been fantastic and the commitment from the players nothing but first class.

“Kendal Rugby Club has punched above its weight for many seasons now and to continue to do so it’s time for new impetus.”

Kendal are lying 10th in the league table, but with the bottom five clubs all still with a match to play, there is uncertainly about their eventual finishing position.

The Black and Ambers compelted thier fixtures last Saturday with an anti-climatic 35-14 defeat at Huddersfield, but the main prize of National survival had already been secured.

With Kendal on 61 points it is feasible that Morley (57) might just displace them if they beat Hull Ionians with maximum points, consigning their opponents to the drop along with Rugby Lions and Manchester in the process.

Resurgent Morley's 80-point win over Manchester means that the final relegation slot will a straight shoot-out final with Ionians.

Huddersfield have proven obstinate foes in the past and the home team got off to a flying start on Saturday with a fourth-minute try from pacey winger James Wood, converted by full back Town Owen.

Kendal replied seven minutes later from a well-worked rolling maul from a 10-metre lineout when prop Richard Harryman forced his way under the Huddersfield line posts to touch down and Mark Ireland's kick made it level pegging at 7-7.

Although the hosts had flanker Gareth Lewis yellow-carded and had to replace injured prop Alex Battye, Huddersfield were next to score with added a converted try after 29 minutes courtesy of prop Tony Stringwell, Owen again adding the extras for a 14-7 lead.

Just three minutes later, centre Ben Paxman's hack throughallowed Kiwi winger Simon Pratt to collect and race over and Owen converted to make it 21-7.

Kendal kept hopes alive before half time as a Dan Lowther break paved the way for a Chris Park try, converted by Ireland, to cut the deficit to 21-14 at the break.

Huddersfield skipper Nick Clarke took charge in the second half , with two tries sealing the visitors' fate.

His first came six minutes into the second half and Owen added the extras, but it stayed at 28-14 until the 75th minute..

As tempers rose both sides had men sinbinned, with Billy Coxon and Joe Mallinson shown yellow in separate incidents, while hooker Ben Morill and lock James Davies befell a similar fate.

Huddersfield's fifth and final try from Sharpe ended the scoring, with fly-half Joel Hinchliffe putting over the kick after Owen had been replaced.