KENDAL RUFC suffered an opening-day 17-14 defeat when Fylde slotted over a penalty at the end of normal time after a disappointing, error-strewn display by both teams.

Kendal produced the most enterprising scoring opportunities through their lively backs in the first half, but Fylde fly-half Steve Gough put over his second penalty to give them a 6-3 lead before Mike Scott landed a drop-goal to add to his earlier penalty as the sides turned round all square.

Centre Ian Voortman was set free on a scorching run and finished off a fine breakaway Kendal try 10 minutes into the second half.

However, Fylde forced their way over the Kendal line from a catch-and-drive following a lineout to make it 11-11.

Another Gough penalty as Mark Bowman was sinbinned for tackling a player in a try-scoring position without the ball sneaked the home team ahead only for Scott to reply with a penalty at the other end to level the scores again.

A disastrous final five minutes then saw Kendal lose two lineouts on their own throw and drift offside close to their posts to give Fylde a chance to snatch the two points which Gough readily accepted.