KENDAL RUFC overcame wintery weather and a spirited Blackburn team to win 37-26 in Lancashire at the weekend and maintain their title charge.

In the reverse fixture, the Hornets ran out 73-0 winners, but it was a very different affair this time around, despite Kendal making an ideal start.

From Blackburn’s kick off the ball was run back, giving Blackburn a lineout deep in their own half. The throw was adjudged to not be straight, and from the resulting scrum, Chris Downham picked up and broke away for the opening try.

Blackburn almost responded immediately with a spell of pressure in front of the Kendal line, and although they were able to hold them off, the Hornets suffered a major blow as Downham was forced off injured. Jack Morphet was his replacement.

After 15 minutes, the Blackburn pressure took its toll. Their forwards drove from a penalty line-out before the conversion gave the hosts a two-point lead.

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That lead lasted just two minutes though, as Glenn Weightman held his nerve with a penalty that was awarded directly from the restart.

Kendal found their second try after 25 minutes, Matty Houghton made a break and the ball was worked wide for Zane Butler to go over.

Houghton again led a charge which resulted in Damian Armstrong scoring a converted try before Blackburn again made efforts to close the gap.

A Butler kick was gathered on the left wing, the receiver marauding through the field and evading Nathan Wooff to score.

Another try followed before the break, the conversion meaning Kendal went in just one ahead at 20-19.

Some quick thinking from Weightman allowed Mark Carruthers to power through for a try which Weightman then converted, before once more the host closed the gap back to just a point.

A change in the Hornets' scrum paid dividends – Dom Musetti replacing Jack Lashley – as Houghton broke from the pack before being driven over the line. Weightman converted before adding another late penalty to make it 37-26 and secure another five points for table-topping Kendal.