AN UNFORGETTABLE comeback by Kendalsent a shock wave around National Division 2 as they pulled back from 17-0 down to inflict a 25-29 defeat upon Rosslyn Park, one of the famous names in the game's history.

It was almost enough for the portrait of Prince Obolensky, Rosslyn's blue-booded Russian star from the distant past, to tilt on its axis from its place in the President's Lounge.

If the Bolsheviks had stormed the Winter Palace, there could not have been a more shattering blow to the Londoners and Kendal now must believe that anything is possible this season.

Back in 'the Smoke', this was always going to be a far more difficult mission than Esher, and the offical word was that the Roehampton ground was called 'The Rock' because visiting teams were expected as a matter of course to founder there.

For a cold-stone sobering opening 20 minutes, that looks the likely scenario as a fired-up Rosslyn - stung by an away defeat at league leaders Rugby the previous week - poured all their nervous energy in knocking Kendal sideways with a powerful display of driving play.

Looking vulnerable, Kendal fumbled ball and scurried backwards, conceding a penalty which fly-half Brad Mooar successfully kicked and counting themselves fortunate that he missed two other chances soon afterwards.

Looking to have got off lightly, Kendal then saw a fine counter-attack break down after 17 minutes as Rosslyn centre James Wyatt intercepted a hasty pass out of the tackle to dash unchallenged 60 metres down the left touchline for the score, with Mooar converting.

Persistent offending by both sides sparked off a penalty- kicking duel and Rosslyn scored again six minutes later, driving lineout ball deep in the 22 before quick ball released Nick Marvel to bluster his way through a stretched defence, Mooar adding the extra points for a 17-0 lead.

From looking like long-shots, however, Kendal showed their thoroughbred instincts and their forwards gradually got on top at the set-pieces as they recovered their composrue and technique.

Fly-half Casey Mee kicked close to the Rosslyn tryline and they set up an unstoppable driving maul from the lineout with Richard Harryman dropping on the ball for the score and Mike Scott converting.

Creating good field positions enabled Scott to kick most of what came his way for a personal tally of 19 points from four penalties, two conversions and a drop-goal, and his tactical awareness in attack looks very valuable.

Rosslyn were rattled and it showed when they twice failed to send restart kicks the required 10 metres from and Kendal drove good ball from the scrummage each time to force two penalties which Scott put over to enable them to whittle the deficit to 17-13 at half time.

The battle was on in earnest and Rosslyn struck back four minutesi nto the second haldf when Mooar kicked a penalty.

Kendal had learned their lesson, however, and were retaining and recycling the ball much better and when Jason Balmer cut inside off his right wing to thrust at the Rosslyn 22, they won a penalty for offside and Scott was on target again.

Rosslyn swept downfield from the restart, a flowing move ending with right wing Gavin Thompson squeezing over for an unconverted try in the corner to make the score 25-16 with 25 minutes remaining.

Kendal's resolve did not waver but their intelligent, patient work showed this victory was built on much more than an innate Cumbrian stubbornness as hard work on the practice pitch paid off.

Getting back on top, Kendal's forwards kept Rosslyn on the back foot as they rumbled ever closer to the Rosslyn tryline, forcing them to go offside to five Scott his fourth successful penalty.

It was Kendal's turn to hold all the aces and from one of a series of driving mauls hooker Ian Gowing plunged over for a converted try which edged them ahead for the first time at 25-26 with eight minutes remaining.

Everything was set for a compelling finish and Kendal did not disappoint,m sealing the victory in aiudacious style as mike Capstick stole Rosslyn's own lineout in the 22 and the ball was popped up for Scott to put over the drop-goal from 20 metres out in the penultimate minute.