Final score on Saturday was Kendal 9, Henley Hawks 16.

IT WAS a case of pride restored at Kendal when they entertained top of the table Henley Hawks on Saturday.

Although ultimately beaten, Kendal produced total commitment, tackled their hearts out and made the National League 2 leaders battle right up to the final whistle for a hard-fought victory.

Stand-off Mike Scott landed a drop-goal to cancel out an early Henley penalty, but his opposite number Barry Reeves put over two penalties before the interval and in between they scored a crucial try through South African centre Rik Van Zyl just after the half-hour.

Kendal rallied magnificently in the second-half and enjoyed the bulk of possession, Scott landing another drop-goal and then a penalty to cut the gap to a converted try.

Valiantly as they tried, however, urged on by their faithful home following, Kendal could not prise open the visitors' defence and had to be satisfied with considerable honour in defeat.

Kendal have a blank date during Powergen Cup weekend next week before travelling to Stourbridge the following Saturday.