10:49am Wednesday 3rd March 2010
National League 2 North Preston Grasshoppers 18 Kendal 25.
by John Hutton.
KENDAL’S derby game only really burst into life in the second half when the visiting pack imposed itself at Lightfoot Lane.
In the first-half Preston dominated territory and possession without turning it to full advantage on the scoreboard.
They scored the first points in the 15th minute when Kendal were penalised for not rolling away and Nicholas Smith slotted the penalty home.
Preston could only add a Smith drop goal to their tally before half-time, but had to settle for a 6-6 scoreline as Kendal full back Mark Ireland kicked a penalty and stand-off Mike Scott also dropped a goal.
Kendal came out fired up after the break and within two minutes scored a try.
Scott kicked a penalty into touch and from the lineout, Kendal rediscovered their catch-and-drive mauling abilities with prop Richard Harryman rumbling over for an unconverted score.
Minutes later from a penalty awarded in midfield, Scott shaped to kick to touch but instead gave a short pass to scrum-half James Gough who shot off upfield.
He linked neatly with prop Ian McDowell and flanker Nick McKain took the inside ball with the tryline beckoning only for play to be pulled back for a forward pass.
Kendal did score a second try in the 54th minute when hooker Allen Martindale benefited from excellent driving play from a penalty lineout and Ireland was successful with a conversion.
The Kendal forwards forced a third try when Scott touched down and Ireland added the extras.
With 12 minutes remaining and leading 25-6, Kendal made a double substitution in the pack and the game changed.
Preston were bolstered in the 72nd minute by the return of prop Richard Morton from the sinbin and they made it count when hooker Richie Sands crashed over from close range.
The conversion was missed but four minutes later, right winger Sean Taylor went sailing in for Preston’s second try, which Smith converted.
It put Preston within seven points, and a losing bonus point, of Kendal, but the black and ambers held on.
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