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Kendal 44 Hull Ionians 12- National 2 North Photos
Hull Ionians dominated the first 50 minutes at Kendal but
failed to turn pressure into points and then paid dearly in the final quarter as
Kendal raised their game with some clinical support and finishing at pace when
the try line beckoned. It’s hard to believe from the score line that Hull
Ionians were so on top in the first half, they played most of it in the Kendal
22, but could not break down a tenacious defence, the only reward being
penalties.
Straight from the kick-off man of the match Mark Wigham stole the Kendal tap
ball and set up a penalty for Iain Gordon. Then untidy play conceded a simple
penalty by Mark Ireland in reply. Hull Ionians returned to the attack and
offside at the scrum saw Iain Gordon strike again, only for obstruction straight
from the kick-off allowing Kendal to once again level the scores. After 26
minutes Kendal made their first half attacks and scored twice. Their initial
move saw Iain Gordon yellow carded for killing the ball conceding a third
penalty goal, then taking advantage of the space created they attacked again for
no 8 Craig Wilson to cross. Hull Ionians back to 15 men again applied all the
pressure and with the Kendal lock yellow carded for killing the ball under the
posts Iain Gordon struck his third goal, but somehow Kendal were leading 16-9 at
the break against the run of play with the home supporters expecting defeat.
Hull Ionians attacked again from the restart and after 53 minutes a penalty for
stamping saw Iain Gordon add his fourth goal and the game was definitely there
for the taking. However Hull Ionians kicking from hand fell apart, handing all
the initiative to Kendal, with injuries to three more Hull Ionians players, Luke
Thundercliffe, Rob Kench and later James Rule not helping the cause. The latter
injury brought a cameo appearance off the bench by Player Coach Mick Watson
raising the stakes even higher in his claim as the oldest player to play 1st XV
rugby for the club, probably in this league. On 53 and 64 minutes Kendal for the
second and third time only gained attacking positions, both given away by
careless penalties, and again raised the tempo and crossed twice from close
range. Prop Richard Harriman and lock Gareth Gore each touched down supporting
at pace from attacking lines-out. Two more tries in injury time flattered the
Kendal score line, centre Ian Voortman crashed through from another close range
line-out then replacement scrum half James Gough raced in, Mark Ireland adding
all 5 conversions to his 3 early gifts of penalty goals.