KENDAL Rugby’s under 18s team showed their heart and determination in a long and hard fought season before the lockdown.

Kendal came within two points of winning the Halibro NW Colts League continuing a great season for Mark Woods and Nigel Pearson’s Team.

The under 18s, who will largely progress into the clubs second team, suffered only three defeats all season and scored the most points in the league with a total of 343.

Two of those three defeats came at the hands of eventual league title winners Birkenhead Park which proved crucial following their setback against Bury at Mint Bridge.

Kendal started strong going into the season as they scored 76 points in their first two games with home victories against Preston Grasshoppers and Wigan.

Despite initial success, two consecutive defeats followed against Birkenhead and Bury which dented the team's title aspirations.

Kendal came back by winning four consecutive games before losing 24-7 to Birkenhead Park at Mint Bridge in the last game before Christmas.

Kendal players continued to challenge the league leaders as they won all four of their games after the Christmas break which included a dominant 66-7 win over Preston Grasshoppers where Will Coxon and Nathan Wilson scored two tries apiece.

Luke Clarke, Bradley Butterworth and Aaron Quincy Byrne also went over the try line in that game with Samuel Coleman scoring eight conversions.

The under 18s will largely progress into senior rugby where some of the players have already been involved in the club's second team.

Kendal’s second team on the other hand had a largely disruptive season as they only played 12 games due to the weather.

Furthermore, other teams were being pulled out of the league.

The disruption has not helped Mark Airey’s team gain any momentum, although young players from the under 18s as well as some senior players featured throughout the campaign.

Notable wins against Wirral, Firwood Waterloo, Stockport and Vale of Lune were the main highlights as the team will be aiming to return strongly for the 2020/21 campaign.

The club is keen to return to training once the lockdown is over.