Launceston................28

Ken dal........................32

THE DOUBTING Thomases were answered by a Kendal performance full of team spirit as they travelled to Cornwall and beat newly-promoted Launceston who had gone almost 12 months without a defeat in front of their home supporters.

The Mint Bridge side put last week's moderate display behind them in no uncertain fashion to gain their first winning points of the season at the third attempt.

It was an eventful match from the start with Kendal falling behind after two minutes to a converted try with both Dan Stephens and Ian Voortman were off the field after colliding in a tackle.

Centre Voortman had stitches inserted into a head wound and rejoined play within the 15-minute time limit but full back Stephens, who badly concussed, did not return.

Before Kendal reshuffled, Launceston took advantage when winger Ed Nancekivell scored out of the right wing, with Scott Martin converting.

Kendal's resolve showed as they came back strongly and Billy Coxon's lineout throw was taken by Mike Capstick six metres out and the ball was smuggled out and back for him to touch down, with Mike Scott converting.

Both sides' attacking style play meant play covered the whole of the pitch, but Launceston retook the lead through a Martin penalty for not releasing on the ground.

Kendal should have scored on the half hour when Voortman's break put Shaun Renwick and Duncan Rose en route to the tryline only for the final pass to go astray.

Instead Jason Balmer produced a second Kendal try.

Collecting a clearance kick he went on a stunning, elusive

50-yard run through virtually the whole of the Launceston defence to go under the posts, Scott again converting to put Kendal back in front.

Kendal swept further ahead when a Launceston attack broke down in midfield and good work by Voortman and Rose ended with Scott hacking the ball on and winning a

60-yard dash for the try.

He failed with the con-version, probably because of tiredness but the visitors had a useful nine-point cushion.

Shortly before the break, Launceston full back Martin suffered what looked to be a dangerous neck injury and he was taken to hospital by emergency helicopter - though thankfully released the next day - and it stretched the half-time interval to almost an hour.

Scott kicked a penalty soon after the restart to extend the advantage to 22-10.

Launceston replied with a couple of penalties but Scott replied with a well-taken drop goal.

Kendal seemed to have made the crucial score when Shaun Renwick crossed from Launcestion tryline from a rolling maul.

Launceston were far from finished, however, and two tries from centre Jimmy Tucker, one of them converted by Jon Hill, brought them right back into contention at 28-32 with two minutes remaining.

Kendal's defence held steadfast under a terrific onslaught over fully eight minutes of stoppage time and emerged with a confidence-lifting victory.

Kendal's Director of Rugby Chris Hayton said: "We used the time away as a team- building exercise and it showed out on the pitch where the players' magificent spirit was evident - now we have to hold our focus and form."