HOPES of finishing the season on a high note fell flat at Kendal Rugby Union Club, who shipped 25 points without reply in a disappointing second-half display.

Right winger Jason Balmer was in red-hot form and scorched in for a glorious first-half hat-trick of tries, but injury blighted Kendal's cause as scrum-half Richard Morris and then hooker Ian Gowing left the field in the space of three minutes.

Newbury got their act together afterwards and Kendal never saw enough ball after the break to pose a threat and also the inspirational Balmer, who took a knock and went off soon after the restart.

Kendal's defensive frailities were exposed by a resurgent Newbury side, who added tries for Pickthall , Gough and Evans to go with Martin's effort before the break.

Kendal finish 10th of the 14 clubs and prop Bill Coxon was awarded the Peter Kremer Players' Player Trophy in a post-match presentation.

Kendal 22, Newbury 35.