DIRECTOR of rugby Steve Whitehead admits patience was key as Kendal bounced back from their first defeat of the campaign with a late show to help secure the full points against a plucky Vale of Lune at Mint Bridge.

The Black and Ambers, the early pacesetters in North One West, took an 18-14 lead into the final ten minutes but ran in three late tries to open up a 25 point margin and return to winning ways after their narrow defeat to Carlisle.

And Whitehead was delighted with the way his team used the strong second half wind to their advantage to finally break Vale's resolve by sticking to the game plan.

"Playing against the wind you can't exit through the boot and take the easier road because the wind is so strong," he said. "You have got to keep it tight in the forwards and preserve enough in the tank to attack in the second half.

"It is a real balancing act and a combined effort between backs and forwards to play a nice controlled game. Then when you get the wind you have to use it to your advantage.

"It was in stark contrast to the way we played in Carlisle with the strong wind blowing from south to north. Against Carlisle we failed to use our heads and play the conditions well but against Vale we retained the ball and kept the pressure on. One or two went away from the game plan against Carlisle but this week we stuck to the script.

"They have a very good back line and play an expansive game. Our plan was to go out early on and be dominant with forwards to deny their back line and continuity so they weren't getting their off-load game going. We tried to cut the ball off at source and retain it ourselves and then when we get our chances we took them. We knew we would get chances in the second half and knew we were fit enough and strong enough to do it."

Skipper James Gough and centre Bob Mataia returned to the starting 15, as did Richard Harryman - who helped himself to two tries.

"Bob gives us a lot of confidence in getting hold of the game but also the experience and tenacity of Goughy is huge," said Whitehead. "He is a talisman, a lad who never gives up and I think that has a big affect on the team."

Kendal travel to Broughton Park on Saturday looking for back-to-back wins.

"We are going to have to bring everything we have got," said Whitehead. "There are not huge gaps between everybody in the league and just because we have taken the initiative it doesn't mean we are head and shoulders above everybody. Any side is capable of punishing anyone and we are not exempt from that."