THE QUALITY of Kendal's resistance was something to take heart from at Henley, who went back to the top of the National League 2 table with a 31-3 win on Saturday.

Fylde's defeat of Wharfedale in a basement battle usefully kept the Dales side to within four points of the Mint Bridge men, but Launceston's narrow defeat of Harrogate was not good news.

With eight fixtures left, Kendal need a winning sequence and must make their improved displays count against fourth-from-bottom Newbury this Saturday.

The other teams left to play are Sedgley Park (h), Nottingham (a), Esher (h), Doncaster (a), Launceston (h), Wharfedale (a) and Fylde (a).

Steve Healey comes back from injury into Kendal's side at full back for Saturday's home match against Newbury.

Healey, who has missed the last two fixtures with an ankle complaint, takes over from James Hadwin who moves to scrum-half. Dan Stephens is sidelined after a concussion injury.

Ian Thompson returns at tight-head prop after missing the trip to Henley because of work commitments.

Andy Hudson, who was unavailable for selection last week, goes into the starting line-up in the second row with Dave Preston taking a turn on the bench.

Team: S. Healey, J. Balmer, M. Armstrong, I. Voortman, L. Ladell, M. Scott, J. Hadwin, D. Bowles, I. Gowing, I. Thompson, K. Robinson, A. Hudson, C. Wolstenholme, M. Bowman, A. Bateson (capt).

Replacements: N. Pearson, D. Preston, D. Bowman, D. Jijana.

The match, sponsored by Talbot Insurance, kicks off at 2.30pm.

KENDAL, for the fourth week running, played one of the top four in-form teams in the league, and despite losing by what looks like a large margin, played some excellent rugby which deserved a try.

The high quality of rugby Kendal have started to produce over the last month or so has unfortunately coincided with them playing the best teams in the league. If they continue to perform at the same level they will undoubtedly start to win games.

Kendal kept pace with

second-placed Henley throughout the first half and it was only a poor lineout in the 31st minute which made the difference in the scoreline.

After an early penalty miss at goal, stand-off Barry Reeves made amends in the 12th minute when he slotted a penalty when Kendal were caught offside.

Two excellent defences prevented any opportunity for clear-cut try scoring and the next score did not come until the 27th minute when Mike Scott levelled the scores with a penalty after Henley had been penalised for not rolling away at a ruck in their own 22.

Four minutes later Henley scored the crucial try. They stole good lineout ball on the edge of the 22 and from the catch and drive second-row Richard Bramley was steam- rollered over the tryline to claim the score, Reeves converted.

The second half was a somewhat different story. Henley found the poise and cutting edge which Kendal had been able to nullify in the first half. Their backs worked an opening for the powerful and quick running right wing, Nnamdi Obi, and he looped round a stretched Kendal defence to score behind the posts.

Eight minutes later, Henley forced a gap in the besieged Kendal defence for Reeves to dart through and score beneath the posts. Reeves converted both tries to give his side a comfortable 24 -3 lead.

Replacement centre Duncan Rose celebrated his 32nd birthday when he made a try-saving tackle after only being on the pitch for 30 seconds.

Despite Kendal being denied any possession until the final few minutes of the game, Henley only managed one more try when Bramley bludgeoned his way over the tryline to score his second try of the game.

Kendal threw everything at Henley and centre Martin Armstrong, who received his club badge this week, used his strength to break through in the 77th minute and ground the ball over the tryline, before a split second later, flanker Steve Barnes swooped in to make the tackle and cleaned the ball out.

It all happened too quickly for the officials and they awarded Kendal a five-metre scrum instead and Kendal's moment had been snatched away from them.

February 7, 2003 09:00