The tough start to the season continued and it doesn’t get much tougher than a visit to Rossendale, who just missed out on promotion last season, have only lost once at home in two seasons, get maximum points in most games there, and make sure their visitors leave empty handed, having not conceded a losing bonus point in two seasons, and allow few opponents a try scoring bonus points.

Last weekend they won 31v62 away at Stoke, despite reportedly missing “half a team” that were at a wedding.

Two changes from the Kendal team which lost narrowly to Wirral last weekend, with no Joe Anderson or Alistair Thompson. Barney Coxon moved into the front row, with his place taken by brother Oscar. Patrick Wolstenholme came into the back row. Tom Keast took one of the spots on the bench and it appears Alex Ryder had been due to take the other, but had an injury, so Reece Tomlinson made a surprise return after a one game retirement. Ryder instead was the touch judge.

Rossendale’s spartan facilities had been enhanced with a shipping container converted into a small grandstand on the far touchline.

Both teams had chances in the opening exchanges but it was Kendal who got the first points after eight minutes. A penalty was taken quickly and after an exchange of passes on the left there was a score. Not sure who got the touchdown but Aaron Stephens appeared to be the last up 5v0.

Rossendale players were managing to break Kendal tackles, and finally Kendal were made to pay after a quarter of an hour, with a try to tie the scores 5v5.

After twenty five minutes Rosendale took the lead. A loose Kendal kick was run back by Rossendale right wing Sam Lowthian, resulting in a try for scrum half Gabriel Maguire, converted by centre Zac Stephens. 12v5

The lead was quickly extended. Dan Shorrock did well to manage to get back to stop a Rossendale break, but the ball was recycled for No.8 Matt Lamprey to score. Again Stephens added the conversion 24v5.

As the half came to a close, Luke Atkinson managed to intercept a Rossendale pass and released Dan Shorrock. He seemed to be away but a Rossendale player managed to get across to make a tackle, but the referee decided illegally.

The penalty was put to touch the lineout won and the ball was moved across field where Rossendale offended again. Despite being under pressure in the scrum Kendal took a scrum, and Steven Nelson picked up to power over 24v12 with the conversion from Aaron Stephens.

Dane Blenkharn needed treatment and was replaced by Tom Keast, with Oscar Coxon moving to the back row

Luke Atkinson had also taken a knock and was replaced at half time by Devin Coyle, who went to scrum half, with Ollie Rose moving to fullback and Leo Mercer into the inside centre position.

Kendal were playing up the slope after half time but had the advantage of the breeze behind them, and were to make a perfect start in unlikely circumstances. Rossendale, kick off was returned with a loose kick which was run back, but the ball was turned over. Ben Dixon did well to evade a few tackles and get the ball away to Steven Nelson, who made ground before finding Dini Noyo arriving at pace, and once he had the ball there was no stopping him. 24v19.

The good work was quickly undone, as five minutes later an attempted Kendal box kick was charged down. The ball fell well for a Rossendale backrow man to set up a try for centre Zac Stephens, with the Kendal defence wrong footed. 29v19

The gap was cut again a few minutes later, when a Rossendale player was penalised for a tackle on Aaron Stephens. The referee had been tough on dangerous tackles, but had earlier let worse ones than this one go unpunished. Aaron Stephens got up and put the kick over 29v22.

Dane Blenkharn returned in place of Tadhg Butler.

The Blackburn pack were now well on top, and added a further try following a scrum. 36v22 with the conversion.

Kendal however were not finished. After just failing to steal a number Rossendale throws, Oscar Coxon managed to get a hand to the ball at a line on halfway to divert it to Kendal. The ball was moved wide where Ben Dixon made ground, and when stopped Barney Coxon was in support to force his way over for the try. Aaron Stephens added the conversion and the lead was down to seven points, with twenty minutes to play. 36v29

Rossendale, quickly made the game safe again with a try from short range. 43v29 with the conversion.

With fifteen minutes to go Steven Nelson, was forced off and Reece Tomlinson made an entrance. This saw another re-jig of the pack, with Oscar Coxon, re-joining the back row, and Patrick Wolstenholme moving to No.8

Luke Atkinson also returned in place of Leo Mercer

With five minutes to go Rossendale scored again 50v29 with the conversion.

There was an odd end to the game. Kendal were on the attack close to the Rossendale line, and Rossendale were penalised. A Rossendale player ran away with the ball to prevent a quick penalty and there was an altercation between the two sets of players, and the referee blew for full time, despite (as far as I could see) the penalty having not been taken.

Despite the scoreline an encouraging performance from the team, especially the younger players with Barney and Oscar Coxon, Tom Keast, and Patrick Wolsstenholme, all playing well.

The lineout went much better this weekend, although they were once penalised for delaying the put in, and at times needed some arial agility from Barney and Oscar Coxon, to pluck what appeared lost balls out of the air.

Rossendale looked a very good side, but not unbeatable. They made a lot of handing errors and benefitted from Kendal kicking a lot of ball back to them allowing them to run, whilst a team with a powerful pack may keep the ball tight. Their biggest issue however was discipline which a stricter referee may choose to punish with more cards.

Next weekend back at Mint Bridge, with Blackburn the visitors, who after their big opening day loss to Anselmians, won against Stoke. Only time will tell the relative strength of their two early opponents.

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OTHJER RESULTS

So Anselmians, Penrith; Rossendale and Wirral maintain their 100% records, whilst Blackburn and Stockport pick up their first wins, so despite the bonus point we will drop slightly in the table

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Vale of Lune Seconds 17 v 10 Kendal Seconds

Kendal Senior Colts 24 v 32 Leigh Colts