VALIANT defending by Kendal made high-flying Henley fight for winning points in a 31-3 defeat.

Conceding just four tries was not a bad effort by the Mint Bridge side against such high-powered opposition after the thaw left a sodden surface that made it a

stamina-sapping afternoon for both sides.

Sterling tackling from the visitors kept the score down to 3-3 up to the half hour after an exchange of penalties between Kendal stand-off Mike Scott and his

opposite number Barry Reeves.

New lock Richard Bramley scored a Henley try from a good driving maul, which Reeves converted, for a 10-3 half-time lead.

Henley redoubled their efforts in the second half and centre Nnamdi Obi ran in a superb solo try from 40 metres out and the purple patch continued as Reeves

forced his way over from close range.

Another strong maul led to Henley's fourth try from Bramley in a copy-cat effort of his initial score.

But Kendal deserved credit for tackling like tigers, and were unlucky not to have a try awarded when Martin Armstrong grounded the ball in the tackle, but the

score was not awarded.

Kendal are at home against Newbury in National League 2 on Saturday (2.15pm kick-off)

February 3, 2003 11:30