FOR 40 minutes against Bradford and Bingley on Saturday Kendal turned on an exhilarating display of rugby and for for the next 40 they spent much of the time on defensive duties.

However, a 22-14 victory was definitely just what the side needed to keep spirits high after their fine cup win at Richmond, and gives the Black and Ambers a second win of the National League season in five appearances.

Kendal set off with a penalty after four minutes which Dan Stephens put over and after rebuffing an initial spell of Bradford pressure, there was no stopping the home side.

The first of Kendal's three tries came after seven minutes when turnover ball produced a sweeping movement across the line with a long miss-pass and then a delayed final feed from Dan Stephens' pass put left wing Paul Dodds in at the corner, Stephens converting.

Scorching running aided by some moderate tackling led to a second try after 19 minutes, full back Simon Mulholland made a jinking run back from a Bradford kick upfield.

After quick ball from the breakdown Martin Armstrong cut through the defence to score cheekily under the posts and Dan Stephens converted, Six minutes later great support play led to a third try, when Allen Martindale went over after Phil Graham sidestepped past his marker and Mulholland shimmied his way through to link with Armstrong, who stayed on his feet and turned to find Martindale, who crashed over in the corner.

A superb touch-line conversion from Stephens gave Kendal 22-0 lead which they maintained to half time.

Bradford retained the ball better in the second half and hit back with a try by Russian Renier Volschenk following a driving maul, the ball being moved left and an inside-pass leaving the strong No. 8 in with a clear run-in.

Thomas Rhodes converted.

Kendal could not recapture the momentum they showed in the first half but their defensive resolve could not be faulted.

There was a penalty chance for the home side but Stephens, who had taken a shuddering knock minutes before, missed the straight 28-metre kick.

Force to reshuffle because of an injury to scrum-half Mark Airey and then losing Stephens to the sinbin in the closing minutes, Kendal did well to limit the damage to just a single Bradford try from replacement back-row Latu Makaafi, when he was driven over following the penalty lineout.

Next week Kendal travel to Darlington Mowden Park.

The Powerhen Cup tie against Waterloo at Mint Bridge on November 6 will kick-off at 2.15pm.