A return to rugby after all games being cancelled last weekend after the tragic fatal accident at the club earlier in the week.

A Cumbria Cup semi final with the winners to face Penrith in the final, as their opponents Upper Eden had pulled out to concentrate on maintaining their place in the League, and avoiding joining Kirkby whose loss against them last weekend, had confirmed relegation.

Kendal took a very strong squad, with just three changes from the Leek game, two of which being due to injury to Luke Atkinson and Alex Ryder, both of whom were at the game as was Ben Dixon. Joe Anderson, Tom Keast and Tommy Calvert joined the team. Nathan Wolstenholme, Tadhg Butler and Charlie Lowther came onto the bench, with debuts for Mikey Charnley and Johnny Swallow (the latter being Barney and Oscar Coxon’s cousin. Despite being a back row man, he was named as a back replacement).

Kirkby had a very young squad only four of whom had not come through their Mini and Youth teams.

The forecast had been overcast, but it was a sunny afternoon, with a very cold wind.

There was a minute’s silence before kick-off.

Kendal started well but a mixture of errors and some solid Kirkby defence meant there was no early scoring.

The opening score came after a quarter of an hour and went to Kendal. A penalty was put to touch and various forwards made ground towards the line, with Matt Houghton finally getting the touchdown. Ollie Rose attempted the conversion. 5v0.

Kendal failed to deal with the re-start and Kirkby stayed on the attack and when awarded a long range penalty, with the game looking as if it may be closer than expected they went for the posts and fullback Ollie Higgs got their opening points. 5v3.

When awarded a penalty following a Kirkby player coming around at a ruck, Ollie Rose landed the penalty. 3v8

Just before half time Kendal made a first change with Charlie Lowther coming on for Patrick Wolstenholme.

There was no more scoring before half time, so Kendal turned with only a narrow lead.

Kendal started the second half well but were forced into an early change when Tom Keast picked up an injury, which saw the introduction of Tadhg Butler.

Kendal soon extended their lead. A Kirkby knock-on resulted in a scrum. When the ball came back Aaron Stephens floated a long pass to Dan Shorrock who broke the Kirkby defence. After being caught several time in the first half, this time he committed the defence and gave the pass to Ben O’Halloran, who powered down the wing for the score. 3v15

Kendal were forced into a second change in the opening ten minutes of the half, with Joe Anderson being coming off after treatment, but they had the ideal replacement in Nathan Wolstenholme.

The Kirkby defence held firm, and whilst not always by legal means, a meltdown of the Kendal lineout meant they could not take advantage of a string of penalties.

When Kirkby had the ball there was some good play from their young backs, but the Kendal defence was much too good for them.

After a quarter of an hour Johnny Swallow made his debut, replacing Daffyd Philp on the right wing.

With ten minutes to play and the game still close, when awarded a penalty, Aaron Stephens was given the kick and made no mistake. 3v16.

Patrick Wolstenholme returned for Charlie Lowther.

For much of the game Aaron Stephens kicks had been well covered by Kirkby players, but he finally found space. With Johnny Swallow in hot pursuit, a number of Kirkby players failed to gather the ball. Whilst nothing came of it, it put Kendal on the attack for their third try.

A number of forwards went for the line, but when the melee cleared centre Tommy Calvert appeared with ball. Aaron Stephens added the conversion.

Late on Mikey Charnley came on for his First XV debut on the left wing in place of Devin Coyle.

Finally as the game came to an end Dan Shorrock got his try. Taking the ball in space in his own half he power away and the only worry was he would fail to touchdown before crossing the deadball line, but he just about managed it. 3v28

Play re-started but there was no more scoring.

Despite the scoreline the Kirkby coaches would have gone away the happier with the performance of their young team, but will probably need to find a few old heads to help them next season.

For Kendal it is another Cup Final, but they will need to play a lot better next week, if they are to get some much needed points from their game at Mint Bridge against Newport (Salop), to edge towards safety.

KENDAL MAN OF THE MATCH

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