THE ADVENTUROUS play that characterises Kendal's approach this season continued with another classic display to stun a Bradford and Bingley side loaded with ex-Premiership players and overseas recruits, writes Richard Daniels.

Rarely can an opening 40 minutes have been so fulfilling or compelling for Black and Ambers' players and supporters alike, bringing as it did three tries out of the top drawer and worthy of a fully-fledged Barbarians thriller.

After soaking up a brief spell of pressure, Kendal were in the ascendancy up to half time and such was the exhuberance of their running and support play, it was tempting to think with a 22-0 lead at half time this could be a rout in front of the biggest crowd at Mint Bridge this season.

Realism crept in, of course, as it has done before during the second half, but although the Bees came back with an expected urgency as their imports from Russian to Tonga stopped blowing cold and turned hot, they were never really buzzing.

That important achievement was a reflection of the home team's 100 per cent concentration and resolute defence when without the ball for long periods.

Scrum-half Mark Airey exemplified Kendal's commitment with a tireless exhibition in attack and defence until he went off with a chest injury in the second half.

The half-backs exuded confidence with Dan Stephens bossing the show against his opposite number and ably supported by the team.

After soaking up a brief spell of pressure, Kendal went ahead in the fourth minute when Stephens stroked over a penalty awarded for offside in the backs.

Three minutes later, Kendal confirmed the positive impression that they could cut loose with an opening try for left winger Paul Dodds, his fourth of the season.

Kendal's forwards set up the attack by securing turnover ball at the ruck 30 metres out and Airey spun it out, the ball travelling with the ruthlessness of blazing cordite.

Crucially, Stephens drew in the defence before delivering his pass to Phil Graham, who linked with his centre partner Martin Armstrong to put the diving Dodds in at the corner for an 8-0 lead.

The Bees looked stunned by the smoke riding in their opponents' tracks for much of the first half and they frittered away possession with attempts to chip the ball through for their wide runners, a policy they all but abandoned in the second half.

Instead, it was Kendal who repeat-edly broke the gain line successfully with Stephens catching his own chip over the top at full stretch and popping up the ball to release Simon Mulholland, who almost wriggled clear of the defence.

A second try soon followed, however, in the 19th minute with Mulholland running back a aimless kick in midfield, and after his jinking dart the ball was ferried to Armstrong, who hurdled a couple of attempted tackles and stayed superbly balanced to cheeekily dot the ball down behind the posts, Stephens duly converting as the gap grew to 15-0.

There was still more excitement to come before half time.

Support work was the key to Kendal's third try in a blistering 18 minutes.

Graham showed his well- disguised sidestep to good effect to open the way and linked with Mulholland who shimmed his way into the 22 up the right hand side of the pitch before prop- forward Allen Martindale looped around Armstrong, who turned in the tackle to offload and allow the forward to crash over at the corner flag.

The gloss on a stunning score came when Stephens converted the touchline kick, giving Kendal a 22-0 lead.

Kendal had to repulse a concerted attack just before half time and after ripping the ball clear on their own line, Gary Holmes dived on a loose ball to end the danger.

The Bees kept the ball in the second half and their forwards drove hard to establish the platform they had failed to contstruct.

After 52 minutes their efforts brought a try when Russian No.8 Renier Volschenk forced his way over for a try converted by fly-off Tom Rhodes.

A poor lineout apart, Kendal resisted well with even Richard Harryman showing his touch-kicking ability with a 40-metre effort. The defence held firm until Tongan replacement flanker Latu Makaafi went over from a catch and drive close to the the tryline in the penultimate minute. Rhodes again converted but Bees had to score twice to win by this stage and had only seconds left.