KENDAL put together vastly contrasting back-to-back performances in the space of 48 hours last weekend - and the one they will want to remember will be a 180-run rout of Southport Trinity in the Thwaites Lancashire Cup on Sunday, writes Richard Daniels.
After a bad mauling by Blackpool in the league on Saturday, the side needed some good news and regrouped to show what they could do by shooting out Southport for just 33.
Spectators at Shap Road had reason to be grateful that Kendal skipper David Fallow decided to bat on winning the toss.
It made it worthwhile turning up to watch, considering what was to follow, as Kendal put up a highly respectable effort to reach 213 all out.
Southport's West Indian pro, the 6ft 6in Dwight Mais, was the biggest danger and openers Kevin Howarth (23) and Gareth Ashburner blocked him out superbly to deny the early breakthrough as they put on 33 in 10 overs.
Although Terry Hunte departed for only one, Kendal remained composed and determined to see off the best of the strike bowlers with Ashburner (14) supporting Kabir Khan to add 40 for the third wicket.
After Ashburner was stumped, skipper David Fallows joined Khan and the pair of them went for their strokes in grand style for a fourth-wicket stand of 79 that accelerated the scoring from 77 to 156 in just seven overs.
Although Mais' return singalled the end of Fallows and then Khan followed just four runs later, Kendal still added 53 more runs with Damien Gudgeon making a useful contribution of 25.
Mais (3-13) finished the best of the Southport bowlers but this was an under-achievement considering the total.
Kendal then looked at their ruthless best as they ripped through the Southport batting with new boy James Rafferty maintaining his accuracy well with his pace bowling to be rewarded with an excellent 4-13 off four overs.
Two run-outs in the opening two overs thanks to direct hits from Rafferty and Khan boosted the home team's challenge and Andrew Dugdale kept the pressure on with an excellent spell of bowling for his 1-5 off nine overs - six of them maidens.
Six ducks featured in Southport's innings with the highest scoring batsmen making just eight as they folded for 33 in the 26th off the scheduled 45 overs. The victory sets up a second-round meeting with Netherfield in June.
...Kendal are away to Darwen in the NPL on Saturday, but the Thwaites Smooth Beer Cup match against the same opponents on Sunday is postponed.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article