A STORMING finish could not quite lift Kendal over the finish line as a well-drilled Luctonians held on for a 20-16 victory at Mint Bridge in National 2 North.

Given that the Black and Ambers had found themselves staring at a 20-0 deficit after half an hour, it was a fair effort - though given the chances spurned in the last 10 minutes, it must go down as another missed opportunity.

Fifth-placed Luctonians lived up to their elevated status with power and pace and they retained ball much better than Kendal in the first half.

Moreover, they were almost error-free, while the hosts were anything but.

A John Morris penalty in the second minute for the Herefordshire outfit was supplemented in the 12th minute by a try in the corner for right winger Simon Frewin after a catch-and-drive was moved wide.

Eight minutes, later Luctonians were over the whitewash again after another penalty lineout drill, this time full back Charlie Meredith finishing off the score, another conversion following.

The home team were starved of decent ball and the frsutration showed as another Morris penalty extended the gap to 20 point after 30 minutes.

Kendal's first points came two minutes later.

When Will Vokes was pulled back at the scrum,Ireland slotted the kick and then added another for offside as a heatening spell of pressure was rewarded.

Kendal were up and running and offered the faithful hope of a revival a minute from half time with an excellent try.

Retaining the ball from the restart after the penalty, Liam Hayton and Duncan Green made hard yards before the backs were involved.

Sidestepping Simon Mulholland opened up the defence and found John Ladell cutting inside to scorch over from the 22.

Unconverted, Kendal had at least cut the deficit to 20-11 at the break.

And Kendal worked hard to keep the initiative in the second half and flanker Dan White was held up over the line as they found some momentum.

But a lot of ball was given up cheaply in contact and, untypically, Ireland missed a couple of penalties earned by good territorial pressure.

Kendal's lack of composure cost them, and although Mulholland broke through the twice defence the frantic final pass failed to find its target.

A different option was repaid in the 77th minute when Ireland's chip behind the defence to the wing bounced into replacement Chris Park's hand and he made a spirited dash over to touch down despite being wrapped up in the tackle.

The conversion attempt fell just in front of the posts, but at 20-16 down it set up a compelling finale.

Right on full time, Kendal at last breathed fire and brimstone with Mulholland, Robinson and Ladell penetrating before skipper Gareth Gore almost charged over.

A flying arm appeared to take out Dan White as he was about to fling himself over the tryline on the right touchline, and Kendal chose to kick the penalty to the corner.

Liam Hayton secured the lineout ball, and appeared to be illegally brought down by the visitors.

When the referee failed to blow for an infringement, the frustrated second row lashed out and the referee produced a straight red card, ending a storming finish that left Kendal with a consolation bonus-point.