FT: Huddersfield 40 Kendal 7 (From The Westmorland Gazette)

FT: Huddersfield 40 Kendal 7

3:41pm Monday 30th January 2012 in Rugby

By Simon Mulholland
AFTER starting the game brightly and attacking early, Kendal were given a lesson on how to build pressure and take opportunities when they arise.

Third-place Huddersfield scored off the back of a scrum on their first visit inside the Kendal 22 in the fourth minute through no 8 Nicolas Sharpe and his try was converted by flyhalf Chris Johnson.

Both teams then traded possession until the 15 minute mark when Anthony Stringwell scored under the posts after a series of offloads that had Kendal defenders hanging on and Johnson again converted.

Kendal then began to get some field position and build phases in a 15 minute spell that had Huddersfield lucky not to concede a try.

After repeat offences, Huddersfield were penalised, but unfortunately Kendal could not manage any points, with Andrew Boardley narrowly missing two shots at goal.

Five minutes before half-time, Huddersfield capitalised on turnover ball, and scored a breakaway try through Ben Morrill.

And from the kick off, another try broke Kendal hearts with Lee Brown finishing on the end of some very good inter-passing from the Huddersfield pack.

On the halftime whistle the score had blown out to 28 - 0, a huge up hill battle awaiting the black and Ambers in the second half.

Kendal came out in the second half flying, with some great play that saw them come within inches of scoring.

With key contributions from the pack, Kendal registered on the score sheet in the 50th minute.

After several line breaks and big carries from Liam Hayton, Garry Holmes and Matt Houghton, Dave Barton capitalised on a mismatch and handed off the Huddersfield fullback to score a great try in the corner. Andrew Boardley converted but Huddersfield led 28-7.

Kendal again kept up the pressure with a series of infringements from Huddersfield creating good field position, and Kris Bratton found great territory with the boot.

Unfortunately turnover ball again proved costly, as Huddersfield scored against the run of play with a well taken try out wide through Nicholas Sharpe, converted again by Johnson.

After some mistakes from both teams, Huddersfield wrapped up the scoring when Matthew Clark crashed overfor 40-7, with Johnson missing from the touchline.

In the last five minutes, Kendal showed a lot of heart and determination without scoring but when the final whistle went, there were plenty of positives to take from the game.

Kendal now lie bottom and four points adrift ahead of a free weekend, offering a chance to reflect and look forward to what lies ahead.