KENDAL fielded a more settled team this week and it showed as early pressure led to a couple of try-scoring chances.

Unfortunately "white-line fever" affected the players involved and possession was lost.

A mistake from Kendal led to Altrincham's first try, from a driving maul, which went unconverted.

Kendal battled back but it became clear the visitors were determined to prevent rugby breaking out at all costs, losing a man to the sin-bin for persistent offending.

Altrincham kicked a penalty to stretch their lead, but the home team responded when livewire James Gough, chasing his own chip through, was unceremoniously tripped on the tryline.

The referee awarded the penalty try, which Nathan Wooff converted.

Back to their full number, Altrincham mounted sufficient pressure to force some mistakes from the home team and scored another unconverted try before half time.

Kendal started the second half with only 14 men as no replacements were available, but those on the pitch increased the intensity and played some of the season's best rugby.

The player imbalance, though, did allow Altrincham to make a break and score another unconverted try.

The setback galvanised the Kendal players and the forwards made good inroads with Joel Howse in particular getting through a huge amount of work. This allowed the ball to be moved wide for S. Nixon and R. Knaggs to bash a way through the midfield.

When Altrincham conceded a penalty, Wooff slotted it over.

Then from the back of a driving maul, Steve Wooff splintered off and forced his way over for a try, Wooff converting a difficult kick.

Another sin-binning for Altrincham and very solid defence in the final few minutes in the face of heavy Kendal pressure allowed the visitors to escape with the single-point win.