THE SEVEREST test of Kendal's abilities so far this season comes when cast as Powergen Cup underdogs for the visit of Waterloo Drummers to Mint Bridge on Saturday (2.15pm kick-off).

The Black and Ambers defied the pundits by defeating Richmond in London in the previous round, but now face opponents from above them in the National Leagues in the shape of the Merseyside-based Division Two side.

Kendal went to Darlington Mowden Park in National 3 North last Saturday having won five out of their last six games, but despite mounting a bold fightback they went down 29-20 But with a big, atmospheric crowd roaring them on in the cup tie, Kendal are hoping their best rugby can carry them through to the fifth round for only the second time in the club's history.

What is more the prospect of a money- spinning home tie in the fifth round against either Bristol, Division One pacesetters, or Nottingham, who play on Sunday, is an added incentive.

Waterloo were promoted last season but are having an in-and-out season and have lost their last four league matches, going down at Launceston 19-16 on Saturday after defeats by Manchester, Newbury and Doncaster.

Scrum-half Mark Airey is selected after missing one match because of a chest injury and Luke Ladell starts in place of Paul Dodds on the left wing, with Mark Bowman getting the vote at flanker with Gary Holmes on the bench.

Both Mike Capstick and Andy Hudson continue their comeback from injury with run-outs for the Second XV against Fylde.

Team: S. Mulholland, J. Ladell, M. Armstrong, P. Graham, L. Ladell, D. Stephens, M. Airey, A. Martindale, D. Green, R. Harryman, L. Hayton, D. Preston, M. Bowman, D. Bowman, A. Bateson.

Replacements: D. Bowles, J. Nicholson, J.

Bracken, G. Holmes, P. Dodds, J. Gough.

n Kendal Seconds beat Preston Grasshoppers 13-10 and the Hornets defeated their Preston opponents 14-4, while Kendal Colts beat Tarleton 20-7 in the Lancs/Cheshire League.

Darlington Mowden Park. 29 Kendal......................... 20 A THREE-try burst close to full time put Kendal within touching distance of Darlington Mowden Park, who then landed a drop-goal with the final kick to deny the visitors' the consolation of a bonus-point.

Kendal were seeking their first victory at Yiewsley Drive after conceding at total of 130 points in league and cup games last season.

An early blow hit Kendal's hopes when prop forward Richard Harryman left the field in the third minute with a thigh injury to be replaced by James Bracken.

However after conceding two early penalties, which were both kicked by centre Mark Bedworth, Kendal earned their first points after good driving play by Liam Hayton and Adrian Bateson released Jon Ladell to spurt down his wing.

DMP offended at the ensuing ruck and stand-off Dan Stephens kicked the penalty to cut the gap to 6-3.

Kendal controlled both possession and territory over the next ten minutes but without troubling the scoreboard. And it was completely against the run of play that DMP scored an unconverted try on 30 minutes, Bedworth intercepting on halfway close to the touchline and scoring in the corner.

Trailing 11-3 at half time, Kendal were put on the back foot at the restart. Bedworth kicked his third penalty and this was quickly followed by two tries.

Left wing Andy Foreman scored the first when the ball was transferred at pace along the backs and No.8 Matt Holmes added the second from a catch and drive close to the try line, Bedworth converting to give the home side a 26-3 lead.

Kendal did not accept defeat and their persistence was repaid with a belated first try in the 77th minute. Replacement wing Luke Ladell raced down the left touchline for an unconverted try and a minute later his twin brother Jon got away to score a second try, converted by Stephens.

A third Kendal try came in the first minute of stoppage time. Full back Simon Mulholland made a half break to release Stephens through midfield and he was well supported by replacement flanker Mark Bowman. who went close to scoring before Dan Bowman carried the play forward for second-row forward Dave Preston to touch down out wide.

Stephens' conversion attempt rebounded back off the upright, but Kendal were on for a bonus point - only to be dashed when DMP turned the ball over for stand-off Michael Georgiou to drop a goal.