Port show late resistance in Kendal defeat

Report by THEO BOWYER

There was last minute disruption as a late withdrawal and a rather bizarre changing room injury to Matt Lawrowitsch, meant a quick reshuffle to the line-up. Cape Town born Cameron Hertz, brought in from Bournemouth, filled the fly half role on his debut and Alex Taylor, formerly of Wimslow started at no. 8. Overall it was a very experienced side that took the field, barring Si Green who missed out with a knee issue.
Port were in the ascendancy in the opening minutes and forced a penalty for holding on. Unfortunately Hertz couldn’t capitalise as the penalty drifted wide.
The away side looked comfortable, but somewhat against the run of play Kendal scored under the posts after a dubious forward pass in the midfield. 7-0 (try conv).
Unperturbed, Port looked to regain some control and steadily went through the phases. Then a golden opportunity presented itself with a scrum five metres from the Kendal line. Port’s patience finally paid off with some good hands, allowing winger Ben Whelan to profit in the right hand corner. A well worked move using the width wonderfully. 7-7 (try conv).
No sooner had this try settled any early season nerves, Kendal were dancing through the Port defence. Even with a biased hat on it was a superb finish. 12-7 (conv. missed). Once again Port looked to steady the ship and the line-out was proving reliable. Then a fabulous spiralling kick, chase and catch from Calum Owen, who for all money appeared to have clear grass to the posts, was hit high and a penalty was forthcoming. Hertz mopped up the three points. 12-10.
Then the crucial phase of the game as from a Port 22 metre drop out, Kendal pounced and after a grubber kick, waltzed in for an unopposed try. 19-10 at half time. (try conv).
The second half kicked off and Kendal picked up where they had left off, with more pressure on the Port line. After a slightly cobbled line-out the ball bobbled into a Kendal hand and probably the softest try of the game. Not a glove was laid on their player and the game now looked out of reach. 26-10 (try conv). It was all seemingly one way traffic as Kendal recorded another score after Port lost the ball straight off their own line-out. 33-10 (try conv).
With the game firmly out of sight, Port were determined to finish strong and restore some pride to the scoreline. A bit of magic from Rory Austin, taking the ball on the loop from the scrum and showing a clean pair of heels claimed a class try. Sumptuous stuff. 33-17 (try conv).
Port were hungry for more and finished with a real flourish. After several pick and go’s, Callum Hibbs reaped the reward. Final Score… Kendal 33 Port 24.
Something to note and a positive to take forward is shutting the home side out for the last 30 minutes of the match. It showed Port have more than enough fight to claim another high finish in this season’s Regional North West One.
Overall a tough start for the boys but an immediate chance to bounce back against Penrith this Saturday. Up the Port!