Rain welcomed the team and a small band of travelling faithful to Blaydon for Kendal’s first visit in 15 years and the early exchanges with the league leaders were pretty even.

But on 10 minutes Matthew Charters suffered a shoulder injury and was replaced by Jack Lashley, with Dom Musetti moving to lock, and at the first scrum Kendal pushed the opposition off their own ball at a rate of knots.

On 13 minutes Steven Nelson charged, with a couple of side steps, up to the Blaydon posts and the ball was quickly recycled to Nathan McCloy to spot a gap and score wide out. His difficult conversion was inch perfect o make it 0-7

Both teams were using the boot in these early exchanges and on 22 minutes after a succession of penalties, Blaydon kicked to the corner and another penalty resulted in a yellow card for Kirk Chettleburgh.

Using the extra man to good effect the home pack mauled the ball over the line to touch down for 5-7.

Another long Blaydon kick found touch five metres from the Kendal line and when the lineout was won the home side moved the ball wide to score in the opposite corner. Again the conversion failed but it was 10-7.

From the restart Kendal were immediately on the attack and a Nathan McCloy grubber kick through won a penalty for an obstruction near the home 22 but his penalty attempt was wide

Another McCloy kick was well chased by Myles Harrop but the ball bounced badly for him and the chance was gone, but then Kendal were back in it as half time approached and Blaydon had an attacking scrum on the five metre line.

The ball was lost forward and on the resulting Kendal feed, deep in injury time, Chris Downham picked up from the base of the scrum to charge fully 60 metres and be brought down by the last despairing defender. Support arrived and a penalty was awarded just inside the 10 metre line, which McCloy converted to make it 10-10 at the break.

The first action of the second period was a 40 metre trundle by Garry Holmes down the left touchline, handing-off would be tacklers, but the support couldn’t get there in time and Blaydon cleared.

With the game evenly poised, a flowing Blaydon move was stopped by a flying tackle by Downham, but the referee deemed it illegal and issued a yellow card. Blaydon kicked to the corner and got the touchdown – and the kick was good to add the extras.

Almost immediately Blaydon were back in the Kendal half and, from a lineout, the ball went through several hands to the far touchline and back inside – and the away defence was overstretched to allow a score under the posts. With the kick the score was suddenly 24-10 with 50 minutes gone

After 60 minutes, Robbie Collinson replaced Steven Nelson – who had yet another all action game – and a raking penalty by McCloy took play into the twenty-two. Blaydon offended again and a quick tap was taken, but the move ended with a penalty for crossing.

On 72 minutes Blaydon scored their final try when a big hole appeared in the stretched Kendal defence allowing a home player to amble in under the posts. It was then 31-10 with conversion

Chris Park came on for Matthew Kaye at scrum half and a penalty kick by McCloy found touch five metres out. After the initial drive was halted Jack Lashley broke away to score in the corner but the kick slipped just wide and it was 31-15 with five minutes to go

After 38 minutes Billy Coxon put Nick Carlton away with a beautifully delayed pass but his kick ahead rolled into touch as full time approached.

For long periods Kendal had their full compliment on the field the game was evenly contested. However this good Blaydon side deserved their win, taking their chances well.

The Kendal scrum was excellent even when down to seven, but John Dervey was missed at the line out.

Final Score: Blaydon 31 Kendal 15