THE TIME for talking is over - let battle commence and for Kendal RUFC it means starting as they finished last season when they travel to face Fylde tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm) in the opening fixtures of the National League Division 2.

Fylde were last season's final opponents and lost 31-15 at Mint Bridge.

"That was an epic battle in a highly-charged atmosphere and you can be sure it will be well worth making the trip," says coach Peter Kremer, who was undergoing chemotherapy at Cumberland Infirmary this week, but has wangled a pass out to attend the match.

Boundlessly enthusiastic as ever, Kremer says after a fourth-place finish at this level on their debut season, Kendal face their most challenging season just to stand still.

"When you look down the fixture-list you can't spot the whipping boys and when it's like that you have to be careful it's not you."

Kremer said Kendal' s strengthened squad had prepared well and added:

"We start with as good a set of Kendal backs as there has been.

"People can expect to see a few things done differently as well as us relying on traditional virtues, but we want to keep our opponents guessing about that."

Kendal's first home match will be against Wharfedale on Saturday week (September 8) followed by Sedgley Park, away on September 15, and Rosslyn Park, at home on September 22.

Skipper Ian Thompson returns at prop in the Kendal team after missing the pre-season match against Otley with an injury.

Making league debuts for Kendal are Mike Burnett, at flanker in place of the departed Nathan Bland, and ex-Rugby League winger Matt Woodcock on the left wing.