A SENSE of history can serve Kendal's purpose well for the long trip to Richmond in the Powergen Cup tomorrow (Saturday), writes Richard Daniels.

We have been here before haven't we?

In this national knockout competiton five years ago, Kendal lined up against London Scottish, another of the capital's clubs and then a household name.

The clash produced a sublime display from the Black and Ambers that came close to an upset before ending in glorious failure at 25-20.

The parallel is similar with Kendal paired for the first time with Richmond, a club who were at the birth of the RFU, staged the first inter-club match and led the way into the professional era.

All that is in the past and Richmond showed nothing is sacrosanct when becoming a spectacular victim of financial free-fall and forced into administration.

Rescued from the brink of extinction, the club has ressurrected itself but still plays outside the National League in London 1. But with a massive unbeaten league run approaching 80 matches behind them, there is unlikely to be much disparity in skill or ability tomorrow.

Kendal's quest in the cup's third round to a club redolent with the game's history ought to inspire - if anything can.

The historical theme is continued when Kendal coach Neil Rollings attends Sedbergh Schools's invitation dinner to celebrate 125 years of rugby at the school on Friday evening before heading southwards for the Richmond match.

Rollings is a past Head of Rugby at Sedbergh, where the Rugby World Cup will be on display at the dinner ahead of special matches with Ampleforth School on Saturday.

He said: "This Powergen Cup fixture represents a frisson of glamour for us and it is up to us to disturb Richmond's momentum.

"The key will be to try and keep the ball from them.

"They are not used to doing a lot of defending and if we can put them under pressure with our running rugby then anything could happen."

Kendal are without Jon Ladell who is on holiday, bringing Paul Dodds on to the right wing. Gary Holmes takes over at flanker because Mark Bowman is unable to travel. Allen Martindale starts in the front row in a rotational switch with Dan Bowles. Andy Hudson's ankle problem has responded well to treatment and he could be a late addtion to the squad.

Team: S. Mullholland, P. Dodds, M. Armstrong, P. Graham, L. Ladell, D. Stephens, M. Airey, A. Martindale, D. Green, R. Harryman, L. Hayton, D. Preston, G. Holmes, D. Bowman, A. Bateson.

Replacements: D. Bowles, J. Nicholson, A. Holcroft, C. Park.

n Kendal Seconds lost 46-16 to West Park St Helens and Kendal Hornets went down 30-13 on Saturday..

Kendal Colts romped to a 108-5 victory at Parkonians at Birkenhead, scoring 18 tries to one.