Kendal 25, Nottingham 12

SELF-belief and an astute tactical kicking game welded a stunning victory for Kendal over Nottingham, rated one of the top sides in National League Division 2, at Mint Bridge on Saturday.

Kendal scored four tries without reply to power into a 20-0 lead five minutes into the second half and then gave a resolute defensive display as the Midlands visitors tried to run everything with more than a hint of desperation.

Centre Ian Voortman sliced his way through the Nottingham defence after three minutes for the first try and fly-half Casey Mee, whose fine kicking display secured important territorial advantage all afternoon, scored the second in the 16th minute, finishing off fine movement in the backs.

Kendal's forwards applied strong pressure to force Nottingham into errors and earned a penalty try coming up to the half hour for a 17-0 half-time lead and full back Mike Scott added a penalty shortly after the restart to make it 20-0.

Nottingham flung the ball out to try and retrieve the situation and replied with two tries in 10 minutes, but Kendal replied when Scott went over in the corner from short range in the 68th minute to make it 25-12 and they withstood a late barrage to preserve their four tries to two winning margin.