Kendal comeback falls short in 11-try epic (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Kendal comeback falls short in 11-try epic

3:56pm Monday 3rd October 2011 in Rugby

Otley 46 Kendal 34 IN THE hottest October day for more than 100 years, 80 points and 11 tries were scored in an exhilarating encounter.

The game flowed from the outset as in the fourth minute, James Twomey on the Otley right wing started a fantastic 80 metre run. His mazy running turned his opponents inside out as he weaved through to score a great individual try. Although he missed the conversion, it did not matter, as he seemed to set the tone for the whole game.

Kendal soon suffered a blow when Leo Mercer limped off with an injury to his right leg.

Mark Ireland kicked a simple penalty to open Kendal's account, but it was all one way traffic as Otley besieged Kendal's line for the first half hour.

Chris Hill scored their second try, converted by Twomey, who then helped himself to two more tries in quick succession as he ripped the Cumbrian defence to pieces with his devastating running.

Then, at last, the Kendal pack started to exert some control, as the trio of jumpers in the line-out varied their play, and shared their duties. Liam Hayton. Danny Redhead and Chris Downham all played their part in winning much-needed ball and exerting pressure on the Otley line as half time approached.

Kendal's pressure increased, and Garry Holmes was finally rewarded with Kendal's first touchdown, Ireland adding the conversion.

As the half time whistle blew, the Black & Ambers had reduced the gap to 22-10.

Kendal began the second half on fire, with Dave Barton charging towards the Otley line after a superb hand-off. As he was submerged by the cover, he popped up a fine pass to the supporting Simon Mulholland, who touched down, Ireland adding the conversion.

Only three minutes later, Knoxie kicked a high ball upfield, Ian Voortman collected the bounce and made good ground, and passed to Ireland who scored an excellent try under the posts for a converted try to take the lead for the first time.

Ireland increased the lead with a penalty goal shortly afterwards to make it 27-22.

But it did not last as Otley started to fling the ball wide, this time to their left wing, James Wood, who scored two tries in quick succession. Both were converted by their new kicker, James Keinhorst as the home side went 36-27 up. Wood notched his own hat trick a few minutes later by scoring another try in the left hand corner, converted by Keinhorst once more.

Kendal's defence was all at sea again in this topsy turvy game, but in attack, they came roaring back in the last few minutes, this time Dave Barton charged down a stray kick to pounce on the rebound and score, again converted by Ireland, the scores 43-34.

Then Barton made another break, supported by Voortman, who gave an outrageous dummy, cut through, and passed to Ireland. As Ireland was romping over by the posts, the referee blew his whistle for a forward pass, and soon after blew again to end the game.