Kendal A 18, Doncaster 10.

KENDAL did the double over Doncaster in a bad-tempered affair in which one Kendal player and two from Doncaster were sinbinned.

There was further controversy when Kendal's match of the match Murphy had a clear dop goal disallowed after the referee, blinded by the sun, was told by the opposing full back, who caught the ball, that it had fallen short!

Doncaster strick first blood with an unconverted try inside 15 minutes but Murphy countered with a successful penalty.

Doncaster's bigger forwards then moved downfield and made the normally reliable Kendal pack look ordinary.

Kendal could not capitalise from a penalty after good work by their impressive back line was halted by an infringement by the Doncaster forwards.

It left Kendal still trailing 10-3 at half time and coach Whitehead had some harsh words for his forwards, but they had the desired effect as the side at last showed spirit with excellent 15-man rugby.

Holmes, Hudson and Curry showed the way with some superb first-up tackles and Quarry was his ever-dependable self in the lineouts.

Airey and Bowman combined close to the line to allow Murphy to flop over from five yards for Kendal to cut the gap to two points.

Capstick was a constant threat, breaking from the solid scrum as another infringement allowed Murphy to edge back ahead 11-10.

Then came the controversial drop-goal which fuelled Kendal's passion.

With five minutes remaining, good pressure from the backs allowed Dixon to intercept from 60 yards and outpace the cover for a converted try.

Doncaster mounted one more attack but strong defending, especially from sub Cartmell on his second-team debut, kept them out.