THE DUST was raised on a firm pitch and in pleasant April sunshine as Kendal showed admirable character not to be steamrollered into the ground by a fired-up Wharfedale in a 48-28 defeat.

Yes, the outcome looked obvious in favour of the focussed Dalesmen (a win was a must as they battle relegation) when they they had raced into a 20-3 by half-time. But Kendal walked off with their heads high after a bold four-try comeback in the second half that showed they might have been beaten but were unbowed.

Wharfedale right winger Jonathan Davies was the mainspring of his side's purposeful effort with two tries, four penalties and three conversions for a personal 28-point tally.

Skipper Andy Hodgson and Ben Wade also grabbed a pair of tries apiece.

Kendal never really got out of the starting-blocks in the first half and they were unable to capitalise on the few breaks that came their way.

It was a different tale after the break with much better penetration as Dan Stephens, Keith Robinson, Phil Skillen and Ian Voortman all crossed for tries.

Mike Scott kicked two penalties and a conversion.

Wharfedale never let the improvement threaten their hold on the match but their problems came at the final whistle when they learned the other sides in the survival tussle in National League 2 all won, taking the third relegation place battle to the final matches in a fortnight's time.

April 15, 2003 13:30