KENDAL Rugby Union Club is mourning the loss of first-team coach Peter Kremer, who has died after a battle against cancer, aged 44.

Mr Kremer died surrounded by his family at Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle on Wednesday evening.

He is survived by his wife Lesley and three daughters Ruth, Joanne and Rosie.

Mr Kremer, who attended Kendal Grammar School, where his father John came to teach, had been connected with the Kendal club as a first-team player, player-coach and then first-team coach for more than 20 years.

Cumbria called upon his services as part of the coaching team that led them to the county championship title at Twickenham in 1997.

He lived in Penrith and was Head of PE at the Queen Elizabeth School in the town.

Defiantly, in the face of his deteriorating health, he continued to work as a teacher and coach rugby, attending matches whenever possible.

He watched Kendal's 31-13 victory over Stourbridge last Saturday from the dug-out at the Mint Bridge ground.

Kendal's director of rugby Chris Hayton said: "As a club, our first thoughts and support are with Peter's family at this time.

"In the long-term his death is a major loss to the club.

"He was the cornerstone of Kendal's success in recent years and will be greatly missed."

There will be a memorial service at 1pm in the Methodist Church, Penrith, next Wednesday following a private family committal.

The Kendal First XV was due to travel south today (Friday) to fulfil Saturday's National League Division 2 fixture at Rosslyn Park in London.

Full obituary next week