IT'S all down to the big derby showdown.

Kendal's Northern League survival hopes, which had looked slim to say the least just a few days ago, have been revived by two heartstopping victories in succession.

And they must now travel across town to face rivals Netherfield at Parkside Road in their final league game knowing they must make up a three point deficit on relegation rivals Penrith, who host doomed Barrow.

The fact that the Auld Greys have a fighting chance of beating the drop is down to a remarkable nerve-shredding nine run victory over title chasing Garstang at Shap Road on Saturday, a win which came just five days after an equally thrilling home triumph against Chorley.

The game looked up when Kendal were dismissed for a paltry 79, but a scintillating bowling performance saw them skittle out the second placed visitors for just 70 to earn a nine run win.

"It was just another of those amazing games which kept swinging one way then the other," said Kendal's Chris Miller.

"It was a tough wicket but we felt 79 was not enough and we were thinking a par score was about 120."

The home side's hopes of achieving that par score had been initially raised when Tom Benn and Shane Hyland compiled a first wicket stand of 34.

But once the openers had been dismissed by Travis Pieters, a collapse followed as Walling helped himself to a seven wicket haul.

Yet still Kendal refused to throw the towel in, with the opening attack of Kuldeep Singh and young Toby Tyson putting Garstang under unrelenting pressure form the first over.

"Kuldeep and Toby bowled so well to keep us in it," said Miller.

"Kuldeep showed again what a good player he is and he deserves every credit for the way he has played over the last few weeks.

"Toby has done well for us all year and he was under a lot of pressure for such a young player to open the bowling defending such a small total."

Miller himself was delighted to strike a telling blow when he claimed the wicket of Garstang's Indian professional Punit Bisht, the league's leading run scorer being tempted out of his ground with Benn whipping off the bails to claim the stumping.

With so few runs to play with, Kendal could barely afford a single mistake and though they reduced the visitors to 60-8, the game could still have gone either way.

But in stepped James Price, and for the second week running, the South African substitute professional's contribution proved decisive.

First he ran out Walling with a superb direct hit at the stumps, then also ran out last man Rohan Parekh to spark a repeat of the wild Bank Holiday Monday celebrations and throw his adopted side a lifeline.

"James Price has been fantastic for us and his run out with a direct hit to get rid of Ian Walling, who is capable of winning any game, was a real game changer," said Miller.

But the daunting task of Saturday's trip to Parkside Road is now looming, and unfortunately for Kendal, Price is not available for the derby clash.

At the time of going to press, the search for a substitute professional was continuing, but Kendal will otherwise be at full strength with Terry Hunte again skippering the side.

There is little but local pride at stake for Netherfield, who are expected to be without skipper Ben Barrow, who is unavailable with Josh Dixon understood to be standing in as skipper.

"It's going to be a tough game with so much at stake but we're ready for it and we're really looking forward to it," said Miller.

lKendal Seconds lost by 91 runs at Chorley on Saturday.

Harry Lee's six wicket haul saw Chorley bowled out for 132 but Kendal were all out for 91 in reply.