LARGE craggy forwards gave Whitehaven side St Benedict's an altered appearance to the team Kirkby had beaten in the North Lancs/Cumbria League earlier this season, while Kirkby had two last-minute withdrawals and were without Thorson and Atkinson.

Kirkby Lonsdale 12 - St Benedict's 7.

Benedict's had the early pressure and a kick through was not gathered, enabling the visitors to quickly recycle the ball and centre Hartley to score a soft try to the right of the posts.

With Fisher converting the Benedict's supporters were in jubilant mood.

Kirkby made hard work of getting back into the match, but Benedict's were giving away penalties.

Full-back Mallaband fielded a long clearing kick by the visitors and he passed to Hadwin who took it upfield.

Quick passing moved the ball to Squires who outpaced his opposite number to score in the corner.

From wide out and needing assistance to hold the ball steady, Hadwin converted to bring the match all-square.

Benedict's came back and put Kirkby under a lot of pressure and Fisher attempted a drop-goal, which was well wide.

Kirkby hooker Lee Benson made a good break near the centre line, but was chopped down by a high tackle from Rutledge, who was yellow carded, and the first half ground to a halt with no further score.

Early in the second Pickthall chipped over the defence and re-gathered and a score looked almost certain, but the support was not quite close enough.

Alan Robinson had earlier taken a knock and had to leave the field, but it was good to see Tosh Shepherd on as replacement after his long injury absence.

Kirkby appeared to be getting slightly on top but, despite a good run from Dowker and then Clark, the difficult conditions led to breakdowns in the passing.

Rutledge returned to the field and was soon in action with a kick through. He hacked on again, but Mallaband gathered the ball. Anxious to dispossess the full-back Rutledge came in with a swinging arm and duly got the red card.

Benedict's backs, though looking none too speedy, had been quite deceptive, but a flat pass was intercepted by Pickthall who raced into the corner to give Kirkby a 12-7 lead.

From wide out and against the wind, Hadwin's conversion failed.

Benedicts then had another spell of upsetting the referee, which relieved the pressure on Kirkby but they eventually decided to play some rugby and began to give the Kirkby pack an unexpectedly hard time.

Benson was still shaken by the earlier high tackle and left the field to be replaced by Seb Wylder, also making a welcome return after a long lay-off.

Play stayed in front of the Kirkby posts for some time, but the defence held and a rather unsatisfactory match ended with no further score.