.

In a game dominated by the atrocious conditions underfoot, Lions emerged from this game with a creditable point against a well-organised and committed Kendal side.  Incessant rain meant that the game was in doubt right up to kick off.  The referee felt that the conditions were too dangerous to play, but left the final decision to the teams.  To their credit, both teams elected to play, but on a gluepot of a pitch the result was always going to be a lottery.

At least the rain stopped for kick off, and Lions started strongly with a stiff breeze behind them.  With almost the first attack of the game, Lions new centre, Jacques Steyn, powered in for a debut try, well converted by Paul Turner, making a rare appearance at fly half.  The omens looked good for Lions, but as in previous weeks, the concentration faltered and Kendal were allowed to work their way back into the game.

Despite the conditions, Kendal moved the ball wide whenever they could, and a good break out of defence needed an excellent tackle from Gary Becconsall to stem the tide.  Now it was Kendal’s turn to exert pressure, but a good relieving kick by Mark Jasnikowski, playing at full back in place of the unavailable Matt Coley, took play back into the Kendal half. 

Kendal were not to be denied, and a good passage of play saw their forwards pounding at Lions’ line.  Some desperate defence and a couple of penalties prevented a score, but not for long. A tap penalty saw the Kendal pack drive hooker Ian Thompson over for a well deserved try, converted by full back Mike Scott.

Again Kendal pressed forward, and enterprising play was only denied by some committed tackling from Lions.  A good move along the backs by Lions looked good, but the final pass to Eddie Saunders was delayed, and a forward pass saw the end of a very promising move.  Kendal were enjoying most of the possession, and only excellent covering by Dave Muckalt denied a score from a clever kick through.  However, the position was established, and when Tim Collier was sin binned at an attacking line out, Kendal’s forwards took another tap penalty and drove prop Richard Harryman over for another try.  Again the conversion from Mike Scott was good.

Lions now started to get more onto the game, but a series of attacking scrums came to nothing and Kendal were allowed to clear their lines.  Back came Lions with another move along the backs, and this time the ball reached Eddie Saunders with some room to manoeuvre.  The veteran winger showed tremendous pace and balance in the dreadful conditions to leave several Kendal defenders groping in a weaving run to the line.  The conversion failed, but now Lions were back in contention.

It was now almost impossible to distinguish either side as players were caked in mud, and half time arrived with Kendal enjoying a slender lead.

Kendal changed their shirts for the start of the second half, so at least we could distinguish the sides.  We could also recognise new Lions hooker, Marek Kwisiuk, who replaced Kevin Dunn.  Conditions were now appalling with the pitch resembling a quagmire.  It was almost impossible for either side to build any sort of platform, and difficult for the referee to spot any sort of offside.  Inevitably play degenerated into a midfield battle, with neither side able to gain the upper hand.

Lions did manage to mount an attack and were awarded a penalty.  A kick to the corner and a take and drive from the resultant line out was needed, but inexplicably Paul Turner’s kick failed to find touch and Kendal breathed a sigh of relief.  Now Kendal took play to the other end, and an offside offence by Lions allowed Mike Scott to slot over a good penalty to extend Kendal’s lead.

Kendal now enjoyed a prolonged period of pressure with their forwards forcing Lions backwards with some good driving mauls.  Lions defence held firm, despite more poor kicking by Paul Turner.  After withstanding considerable pressure, Lions forwards now started to dominate, and forced a series of 5 metre scrums, but were unable to find a way through a determined Kendal defence.  It looked as though it was going to be another frustrating away day for Lions, but from another close in scrum, Mark Jasnikowski hit the line at pace on the blind side to force his way over.  With the scores tied, Paul Turner’s conversion attempt into the strong breeze was short.

With injury time being played, Kendal pushed for the winning score and secured a scrum in Lions 22.  Fortunately Marek Kwisiuk chose the moment to win the ball against the head and the pressure was cleared.  The referee finally managed to clear the mud from his whistle to bring the game to a conclusion.

In retrospect the game should probably never have been played, but credit to both sides and the three officials for giving us an absorbing game, where the only real winner was the pitch

Not the best result for Lions, but this was a point won rather than a point lost.  At least the dismal run of away defeats has been halted, and with three home games to come, hopefully Lions can start to claw back some ground on the league leaders.  The clash with Bracknell in three weeks time is certainly one to look forward to.

Lions now have a squad capable of beating anyone in the league, and three wins in the next three weeks would do wonders to bolster the confidence of players and supporters alike, setting things up nicely for the second half of the season.

Mark Jasnikowski

For the second weekend in a row Rugby face newcomers to the their fixture list, this time a much older club than last week’s opponents, Bracknell. Until fairly recently Aspatria was the only rugby union club whose name was familiar outside Cumbria and apart from Workington rugby league club the received sporting view of the Lake District was one of a place of fell-runners and wrestlers.

In actual fact since league rugby commenced in 1987/88 Kendal RFC and Aspatria have never been far apart but Kendal has generally been in Aspatria’s shadow.  This season the roles are reversed and Kendal casts its shadow on Aspatria.

Both Rugby and Kendal lost away games last weekend so their relative league positions remain unchanged, however, Rosslyn Park’s away win at West has moved the London club into third place above Kendal. Bracknell’s narrow victory against Lions gives them a clear water lead at the top.

For Rugby’s hopes of promotion last week’s game at Bracknell was a “must win” game; next Saturday’s is now becomes a “can’t afford to lose” game.