KENDAL Rugby put pressure on derby rivals and league leaders Kirkby Lonsdale in North One West as they thrashed visitors Broughton Park 68-0.

Kendal's Chris Downham, Zane Butler and Chris Park combined in the first half to give the home side a bonus point after just 25 minutes.

After the break, Damian Armstrong, James Thompson and Jack Morphet all went over before Butler grabbed two more for his hattrick and a penalty try was awarded to Kendal in the dying moments.

The result meant that Kendal closed the gap on Kirkby at the top still with a game in hand as they prepare to welcome their closest enemies to Mint Bridge this weekend.

Kendal were on top after five minutes as Downham opened the scoring and Glenn Weightman added the extras.

After 13 minutes the lead was increased when Weightman took a quick tap penalty on halfway followed by a surging run from Thompson, who offloaded to Butler who touched down behind the posts.

Weightman then kicked to touch after the visitors were penalised for not rolling away and from the lineout the ball was moved through the hands to give Park the try.

After 25 minutes Downham scored the bonus point try to leave the half-time score at 28-0.

Jack Lashley replaced Don Musetti was just returning after injury in the second half and after 45 minutes Danny Barker offloaded to his centre partner Damian Armstrong to score.

At the 47-minute mark Broughton Park received a yellow card for repeated offences just before Thompson plunged over.

Josh Chaplow then replaced Downham and after another kick to the corner Morphet touched down but the conversion was missed.

After 72 minutes a Broughton Park winger tried to run the ball out of defence but it was ripped from his hands to present Butler with another try.

Butler got his third six minutes later from year another penalty and a deliberate knock-on from Broughton Park led the referee to award a penalty try.