A VALIANT Kendal challenger wilted in the sun on Saturday as they slipped to their third North One East defeat in as many games.

And they can have few complaints as they failed to match a home side who not only had a high level of fitness but with 13 of the 18 in the squad coming through the ranks at the club also had a good understanding of each other's play as Driffield continued their unbeaten start to the campaign.

Danny Barker and Chris Evans made their first starts of the season whilst Greg Wrathall and Joe Cook returned to the side for the visitors.

But they were behind after just six minutes and conceded two more tries before the halfway point of the first half.

Kendal came more into the game without ever threatening a score, and their cause was not helped by the loss of Kris Bratton to injury

Driffield added a fourth try just before half time, but Kendal had the wind at their backs after the break and with Driffield's Adam Brankley yellow carded, they sensed a chance and Dini Noyo scrambled over to get the visitors on the board.

Dan Greenwood further reduced the arrears, Glen Weightman converting, and the visitors were now fired up.

But Driffield weathered the storm and then stepped up the gears with a quickfire hat trick from Harry Jackson and a Gary Stephenson try completed a 46-12 win.

Kendal must now regroup quickly before Saturday's vital home clash against fellow strugglers Percy Park.