WHARFEDALE from National Division 2 offered Kendal a robust test ahead of their new season in National 3 North last Saturday but the visitors were better value than the seven tries to two suggests.

Looking back on an entertaining match, played for the Peter Kremer Memorial Trophy, Kendal will know they spent too much time on defensive duties to be entirely happy.

There was the saving grace that this provided good tackling practice, and in the main there was sound cover across the field.

New centre Phil Graham, the ex-Manchester and Waterloo player, emerged with credit. He read the game well and his attentive tackling set an example, not least in holding-up a Wharfedale flanker to prevent a walk-in opening try.

On the end of Kendal's most enterprising moves was centre Martin Armstrong. He scored two stylish tries, bursting away for a 35-metre run-in and then finishing a fine break by industrious stand-off Dan Stephens.

After restricting Wharfedale to three tries before half time to turn round 17-14 down, Kendal will be disappointed to have faded in the second half.

Kendal's pack, missing some key men among six absent first-team regulars, suffered in the set scrummage but rucked and mauled well. If anything, they lacked a bit of self-confidence to retain possession through several phases to establish control.

Instead Wharfedale's strength in depth in their squad told: the ability to retain possession by keeping the ball to hand and a couple of very soft tries put the result beyond doubt.

It proved a salutary lesson for the Black and Ambers of the need for concentration throughout the 80 minutes, especially since they were unable to penetrate their opponents' tryline again.

Newly-appointed skipper Mike Capstick did come through his return after injury without any ill-effects.

Coach Neil Rollings said: "Wharfedale were better than us but but not by almost 30 points - probably 15 would have been a fairer reflection.

"We have to get right the delicate balance between being direct and stretching the opposition with its risk of errors and building up structured attacks which allow us to do what we want in the right areas.

"There's scope for development which will give us something to do on Thursday evenings!"

Kendal learn who are their Powergen Cup opponents early next week ahead of the first league match at home to Halifax on September 4.