DAMP DAY AT KENDAL

With the referee awarding what seemed like a lot of penalties against Stockport (12 to only 3 against Kendal in the first half) and adding two yellow cards, Stockport never achieved any momentum and despite being 17-8 up just after half time it was Kendal who dominated the second half to win by the one point.
An early kick ahead by Josh Longmore was knocked on by the Kendal fullback and from the scrum and drive to the line the ball was moved to Longmore who scored under the posts and added the conversion. The penalty count started early and on ten minutes Paul Ralph was sent to the sin bin and Kendal converted the penalty from in front of the posts. Stockport seemed unable to avoid the penalties and Kendal kept running at them at every chance. When Stockport did get going there was some good driving and after a good movement by the backs wing Scott Redfern looked to be in but he had put a foot in touch. Stockport kept up the pressure and from a lineout the trade mark Stockport drive gave Nic Smith a try on return after 6 weeks away. Longmore converted from near the touchline and Stockport were 14-3 up. Perhaps it was overconfidence but Kendal were allowed back into the game and from a penalty on half way they ran the ball and a long pass to their left wing left him clear to outpace the defence and score (14-8). The penalty count continued to rise and just before halftime centre Mike Bayssat was sent to the sin bin for interfering with play when offside. Kendal finished the half near the Stockport line but good defence and a knock on prevented a try.
Longmore converted a penalty early in the second half but it was a rare one awarded to Stockport and Kendal scored a try after a lot of pressure on the Stockport line to go just 5 points behind after 15 minutes of the half. The rest of the half seemed to be dominated by penalties against Stockport and after several as they defended on their line Kendal eventually got through for the try, there was no conversion but Kendal were ahead. Despite a great effort by Stockport during the last 5 minutes Kendal held firm and the referee blew for time when he thought he saw a forward pass.
Stockport must reduce their penalty count and develop a better understanding of the referee if they are to continue to maintain their position in mid-table as their undoubted ability is diminished by the penalties they conceded.